What soldering iron works best to do a mod?
 

Any particular model or tip size and type of sodler I should use? Also where is a good place to get the right size wire for the chip.

15W Antex C Type with 0.12mm Tip - Works great :)

Is there a place on the net I can order one of those from? I did a google search and came up with next to nothing. My town of 60,000 probably won't have one unless you picked it up from a store over there that we have here. Also what grade of solder do you use?

I use a 0.7mm Rosin core flux solder.

This is where im getting mine
http://www.netbridgeonline.com/index.../prod/id/c1502
and the tip:
http://www.netbridgeonline.com/index...ew=prod&id=107

They really are a top iron :)

WOW, spendy little devil! Plus they want another $12 just to ship it by Pony Express\UPS.... $52 total.

If this is a one time project this is all you need.

Cheap iron that comes with a few tools and solder.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=64%2D2802

Flux

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...%5Fid=64%2D022

Wire

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=278%2D501


Soldering to the PS2's mobo especially if its your first time is no afternoon project. And since you have no idea where to get an iron or what kind the project might require this leads me to beleave you dont have to much skill in the area of soldering. Consider this before you proceed, by the time you round up all the material and tools you could have nearly paid a pro to do it.

Thanks, I'll just go to Radio shack for soldering essentials. It'll be my first time modding a PS2. The pictures don't look too complicated but I can see that a fine iron and the right grade solder will be a must when working on tiny parts that might melt over to other welds or melt the original weld leads off. Looks touchy but I believe I can handle it. I'm hoping it doesn't take the whole aftrenoon..... What took you longer than that anyway, may I ask?

You'll really want to be careful with your first install - you'll be suprised how long it'll take you. If you don't take that time with your first install - you could very well hit problems. When you're doing something like this for the first time, it's worth taking your time - a fool will rush it - and get a non-working install for his troubles... :)

The install pictures are enlarged. The real points on the MB are much smaller. Be sure you look at all of them and if you have any doubt get a pro. Its VERY easy to screw up a PS2.

I agree 100% with Warlock...

Whats sumthn good to practice on. Ie get some cheap samples from www.microchip.com or is there sumthn better?

You can use any old thing to practice on. I remember before I started doin ps1's I practiced on the guts of old broken phones.





Tyler!

I used to use the 0.12mm tip m8 but got fed up with replacing tips all the time! Now use an 18w with 0.5mm tip. The .5mm lasts months rather than days.

Providing you put the tip to the sponge fairly often and keep it nicely tinned, I think the 0.12s last a fairly long time... (well, that's what I find anyway)... :)

I use a .031" tip, what that equals in mm I have no idea.

Fairly small, lol :)...

This small... 0.7874mm

Wow Sped thats a bloody welding rod m8 ;)

Hey LUFC fan, did I mention I have tickets for England v Northern Ireland at Old Trafford next month :D :D :D :D :D

oooh. Gimme :)

I'm not gonna brag about having tickets right behind the dugout m8......... but I do promise to send you a picture message :p

Hey, I'm good at getting large things into tight places ;)

Oh by the way .031 equals 1/32 ...thats like half a 1/16 not that big :p

lol.. cheeky monkey..

I figured you would be the first to pick up on that.

I agree with most of the user, the installation pictures can be deceiving, I remember when I receive the chip on mail.. can't believe how small it is, and by the time I opened the PS2, the legs on the chips are very tiny :) there's not much space for mistakes....

just be carefull :) or you're going to break your PS2 ;)

I just use an old 25W soldering iron, I know it's probably a tad hot for doing modchip installs, but I've never had a problem. I've done original Playstations, Dreamcasts, heaps of Xboxes, a couple PS2's and a couple of Neogeo AES's. :D

The tip I use is just an old tip that I stuck on the grinder to make a very fine point in order to do the PS2's.

I'll have to get a new iron one of these days ;)

But yeah, take your time with your PS2, it's not as easy as it looks, especially for novices.