[PLUG-TALK] recommendation for DIY electronics hardware?

[Keith Lofstrom]

> >>>>> "Daniel" == Daniel X Pape <dpape at dpape.com> writes:
> Daniel> this is what surface mount means). I can see that all the
> Daniel> leads to the plug are broken (noted by arrows here:
> Daniel> http://i.imgur.com/LcOK3gE.jpg ) Is what you are saying above
> Daniel> about surface mount applicable in this case? i.e., it will
> Daniel> probably be impossible for me to solder something this small?

On Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 07:41:43PM -0800, Russell Senior wrote:
> Looks like you just need good magnification and a soldering iron.
> 
> Consider bringing it to a dorkbot meeting.

Dorkbots may be a good choice. 

Good photo, BTW, though it does point out how damned small
and fragile this stuff is, and some important details can't
be seen without more magnification.  If break was in the
solder joint, and the pads still connect to the board, you
can fix this with a good magnifier, a very small tipped 
soldering iron, and a very steady hand.  Otherwise, if the
pads got pulled off the fiberglas/plastic, then a "via"
under the pad will probably be broken, and the board is
most likely unrepairable. 

Even with a broken via, you can sometimes trace where the
connection went on an intact identical board and an ohmmeter,
then add a "flying wire" on top of the broken board to repair
the connection.   But this is a USB socket, very high speed
and very sensitive to changes in the geometry of the wiring,
so that won't work here.  Sigh.

Connectors are often the first thing to go.  As you saw, the
connector isn't anchored robustly to the board - solder joints
only, no screws to hold it down.  That saved a few pennies and
a few milligrams of weight, but greatly reduced reliability. 
If you do manage to fix it, you should find a way to hold it
down better by some other means (glue may go to the wrong
places, sigh), and also securing the incoming cable so it
does not flex the socket.

Keith

-- 
Keith Lofstrom          keithl at keithl.com         Voice (503)-520-1993