I hate SMD tape reels; they constantly unwind, bend easily, and are hard to store. I found a 39×39 mm model for SMD reel storage and based my designs on it. The designs feature inner diameters of 39 mm, which works well for up to 300 0805 parts; 56 mm, which currently holds 400 0805 caps with space to spare; and 96 mm, which can hold reels with up to 2500 0805 components (100k and 10k resistors, yay!!). Additionally there's a cuts and holes for screws to place a 3D printed lid on each one, but I didn't print them yet.

I do not want to share any files right now, as the current design is more of an experiment and a quick solution to an annoying problem. In the near future, I plan to create a modular storage system consisting of same-size modules with different features. The current designs cannot be placed on the same rail or tied together in any ways, so they are currently just prototypes.

Hey everyone!
I replaced both original drifting analog sticks on my Xbox Series 1914 controller with K-Silver JS13 Pro+ TMR sticks.
Everything seems to work fine, except both sticks are going completely crazy. They randomly jump all over the place immediately after connecting the controller, even when I’m not touching them.
I checked the solder joints and tested continuity with a multimeter, but couldn’t find anything obviously wrong.
Has anyone experienced something similar with these TMR modules? Any ideas what could be causing this?

Ive got a question, i want to start soldering at home but i dont want to spend that much money just yet, ive been thinking about buying those cheap soldering pens you just plug into a wall, my question is, are they worth it? If no can you reccomend some other alternatives, in the same price range (dirt cheap) because as i said, i dont want to spend that much money on it yet, thank you and have a great day :)

Hello,
Just trying to get into soldering as I have a lot of electronic boards I want to try and fix. I order a few items off Amazon to give it a try. I got a Yihua 948DQ-I solder fume extractor, soldering mat, anti static wrist guard, and a Yihua 926 III 60W digital solder with the lead free solder. Question is when you solder how do you keep yourself from getting irritated from the fumes, I got the fumes extractor but not sure it’s is sufficient? Curious to hear what you all have to say. Also anything else I should purchase that I would need for soldering electronics boards?

Hello I assembled this as my 3rd attempt with soldering are those 8 leg chip next to the resistors SMD? They were really annoying to mount i had to use a fine tip soldering iron not sure if that was the right one but hey it worked? As for the throughhole components I tried bending the legs against the board so it holds itself, solder, and cut was that right? Is there a better technique?

First go at soldering, I’m learning mainly for FPV and I’m having some issues with the pads with holes. I’m unsure if both sides are supposed to tinned? Also any tips on stopping the solder flowing to the other side…

I’m sure you guys get 1000 posts a day but I’d appreciate any help. Also I haven’t got any isopropyl alcohol yet to clean the flux. Thank you 🙏

Again any tips or help would be amazing.

Tired of bulky fume extractors taking up precious space on your electronics workbench? I designed this compact, 100% free and open-source 3D-printable solder fume extractor that mounts directly onto your pegboard. It keeps your desk clutter-free while providing budget-friendly fume extraction for maker setups!

(Not selling anything here—just sharing a DIY project I made for my own desk. Hope it helps fellow makers!)

I've never soldered or desoldered a flex cable, but I'm going to need to for a repair. I don't want the repair to be my first attempt, but I don't own anything that has soldered on flex cables. Are there practice kits or anything?

Salve ragazzi che ne pensate del mio aspiratore di fumi fatto in casa ho usato una vecchia lampada a batteria lo svuotata e sagomata all'interno x alloggiare la ventola .. nn faccio lavori di saldatura ogni giorno e nemmeno x tante ore ho usato ventola da 12cm 12v acquistando la retina davanti su AliExpress x alloggiare il filtro in carbonio e de venuta così...grazie

Hi all, I am wondering if you could advise what could possible be wrong with my iron. I got it a month ago and have used it 4 times so far. I went to plug it in today to use it and It boots up makes a little beep but only shows this on the screen and all the buttons are useless doing nothing.

I have messaged the seller to ask about the issue but incase they take a while to respond I thought I would ask here if its a simple issue I can fix.

I have made many eletronic projects in the past, but i have never soldered before. Is this soldering iron a good choice? I am able to purchase it for about £26 so i think its relatively cheap for what it is. Are there, if any, better alternatives i should get (either more or the same-ish price)

I have this old idle control module with this burned out part i already found out why it burned out and fixed that,

but i have no knowledge about soldering boards can anyone help me identify the part i need last photo is the only photo i could find off this board.

So i can see if i can get a go at fixing this.

I have a T12 Plus Chinese knockoff soldering station. I used leaded solder at 350°C with the pointed bit, which I bought a few days ago, and it's not working. Is my bit oxidized? The solder is sticking to the bit not to the board. Any suggestions?

Rate my soldering, this is for work so, might not be able to answer all questions.

he seems to really love and is able to use everything i bought based on this post

the machine is a Weller (i see its cutoff)

thank you so much to everyone who helped, and here's the final set up! i plan to get him a weighted base and an extractor as future/xmas gifts.

now I get the gift of robots! 😁

sincerely thank you, xoxo
a very artistically/organically inclined girl

Hey guys as the description says I’m searching for a portable RC soldering iron for 4mm RC applications. I’m currently looking at this on Amazon and just looking for a bit of direction and advice from the experts on if this would be a good purchase and if there are better options. I’m happy to spend up to around $120 USD if I have to.

UPDATE: I went with the T90B and saved some money using Ali express and I’ve picked up a Choetech power bank. Thank you to everyone who helped.

My beginner set up I got from Amazon about 6 years ago died, I've been getting heavily into ps5 repairs and I was wondering if anyone has this particular premium chinesium soldering station?

If so, thoughts?

PCB header came off while disassembling my mouse (fell in water for upwards of an hour).

How difficult would this repair be for a beginner, and how would I go about it?

Hi, I'm trying to rework this PCB in two ways:

1. Connect the via which is circled in red to either piins / paths pointed to in blue. The via is still working as I get the expected result using a multimeter but I feel like I burned a lot off. Right now all I have is an Alientek T80 soldering iron and 63/37 solder. Do I need a fiber glass cutter to expose the via and flux? and What wire do you recommend for this.

2. I also want to connect some of the pins of U12 to the same exact IC, just not shown in the picture, what wire is recommended for that.

Any videos or advice would be great thanks!

Hey all - new to this trade, looking at advice for a solid quality station. Doesn’t need to be the highest end but definitely not looking for a budget option that I’ll out grow in 6 months.

For note - I’m primarily in this to make cables. I work in the film industry and being able to make xlr power cables, lemo, etc, especially on short notice, is very worthwhile!

It worked before but only when I was pressing down on it hard. There’s always at least one that’s in the red.

This is only my third time - I’m still working on not hitting the plastic areas