Help! Need recommendation for soldering iron and tools to repair phone

scrimshaw on 17/09/2014 - 17:22
Last edited 17/09/2014 - 17:23

Hi guys,

Im trying to repair a LG optimus 4x HD with a broken SIM card slot. I have managed get hold of replacement parts from DX.com plus some basic phone repair tools to go along with it, but on closer inspection it appears that the vibration motor is actually soldered onto part of the PCB and I need to de-solder the cables before I'm able to pull off the existing part. I haven't done soldering before and I don't have anything in my toolbox to fix this:

http://imgur.com/a/I7IHe#0

Anyone got recommendations for a good precise soldering kit? Their range from a lowly $15 to about $80, what exactly will I need for some basic work?

Computing

Comments

  • porkandbeans on 17/09/2014 - 18:45
    +1

    That looks like the easiest thing you will ever solder in a mobile phone. So consider yourself lucky. Any old iron will be able to do that. Make sure you tin the wires before you go to solder the new module in there. Have a quick google if you're unsure how to do it.

    That kit is fine for light soldering duties. Hell, if you want to get into the true OzBargain spirit you can solder that thing with a bic lighter and a nail.

    Go forth and solder!

  • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2014 - 19:42
    +1

    Porkandbeans is (are?) right. I prefer a de-soldering bulb for removing original solder (a good idea), or even a de-soldering wick, but the solder-sucker in that kit (and the iron itself) will still work fine.

    Surprised that you haven't soldered before, scrimshaw. Practise on an old bit of circuit-board, or anything, first.
    Keep in mind for the future (so as not to damage sensitive components) precise tip-temperature on an adjustable iron - if you get keen - plus quick & efficient technique, becomes really important.

    So is good ventilation.
    Don't burn yourself or melt anything you don't want to melt. Early in the piece, can/does/will happen!

    • scrimshaw on 17/09/2014 - 23:24

      Thanks guys. So the most basic kit is good enough to repair phones / laptops with? I'm an ultimate noob when it comes to electronics, so might have to dig around on Wikibooks or Youtube to find some soldering guides.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2014 - 07:55

        It's hard to see how good the tips are in the kit you link, but they'll probably be okay.
        Soldering ain't rocket-science, but there is definitely some trial and error before you get the technique down.

  • horseshoe on 17/09/2014 - 20:03
    +1

    A cheap one should be fine. It's been a long time since i soldered, but i think the more expensive ones will just come with more tips and more heat output/temperature control. You don't really want a lot of heat, and you want the smallest tip you can get.

    Be quick when you desolder/solder circuit boards. You don't need a lot of heat, so there is no need for jamming the tip on and leaving it there. If you're too quick and your technique is bad, you might stuff up the job, but you can try it again. You CANNOT do it again if you burn the board.

  • ESEMCE on 18/09/2014 - 07:42

    Go to your local Hackerspace and get the experts to do it for a slab.
    As a newb, you'll kill something for sure.
    To be honest, they will probably baulk at the job too without a guarantee that you wont hold them liable for further damage.

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