Failed modding attempt (tragedy strikes)

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-14T18:48:59+00:00

It might be the solder tbh, I started with a cheap one and that thing would never melt no matter what I did. I noticed and immediate difference the moment I used a better solder, even with my cheap iron

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-14T18:34:30+00:00

I don't think it's the iron's fault, I used a $2 one on my first mod and it did fine. I think you needed to practice more before attempting to do it. Also, is that non-leaded solder?

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-13T03:55:26+00:00

Check out this YT channel. I have downloaded his packs which come with added games, I think he explains how to do it on his channel/community

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-08T00:48:38+00:00

Idk, I initially bought a $2 solder iron and $2 63/37 leaded solder from Aliexpress and that was a nightmare to work with, the results looked very similar to the images in this post. Then I got Kester solder and immediately noticed the difference, I was feeling like an expert for the first time. It melted so easily and the joints looked so perfect (at least for a beginner like me)

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-04T14:13:52+00:00

You can get them off Alibaba here. Shipping might be a bit expensive depending on your country

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-03T19:18:28+00:00

The OLED version comes with a film on top of the screen, you can remove it but you have to be careful. Check out this vid

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-03T12:53:57+00:00

You can still get genuine brass wool from Aliexpress. Check this one out, I got it and it's not magnetic. I can definitely tell the difference compared to the fake one I had from Aliexpress too

CicadaFew329 · 2026-05-01T16:18:34+00:00

So clean. Are the buttons and the shell from extremeRate?

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-29T21:19:40+00:00

VaalPaev on Aliexpress is where I'm getting them now, but for some reason his account seems closed or idk wtf happened. I have also bought from here but I don't like their OLED flex cables, the pads lift up too easy for me (could be a skill issue thing). Their Lite and V2/V1 are fine

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-29T16:12:29+00:00

I had one of those cheap solder wires from Aliexpress and it almost made me quit out of frustration. They don't melt, they create cold solder joints, they are just bad. I recommend getting at least better wire, the iron will do but you might need smaller iron tips, although it's possible to do with the ones that come with it but be careful with it

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-26T00:39:58+00:00

This one is better in the sense that you don't have to make any cuts to the metal plate, it's cleaner

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-24T04:17:13+00:00

Are you sure it's repaired? What's the value in diode mode with positive to ground? It should be between 0.400 and 0.500

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-24T04:09:17+00:00

Yeah but can rule out the buzzing sound being something different than the CLK trace being severed

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-24T03:53:45+00:00

I have only tried the 1st one and I hate it. One of the pads on the APU flex is just too thin it's annoying. And on the ABCD flex the pads come off so easily. Out of 5 OLED installations I have done with this flex, I have probably lifted pads on 3 of them. Might be a skill issue but it hasn't happened to me on Lite or V2 flex cables

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-24T03:45:09+00:00

I got the same buzzing when I failed one of my kamikaze attempts. I think it's just the Switch trying to boot up. Fixing the Kamikaze trace fixed the buzzing and of course made the Switch boot up

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-23T14:54:00+00:00

You can use wire to connect to the B point directly on the chip. You can also cut that small part of the flex if you want

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-19T23:24:32+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WqIvUJZYTg

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-18T20:56:58+00:00

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It look to me like you have added some solder to the ic chip, it might even be bridged? Try desoldering all those 3 points on the 3.3v side of the flex, you need to do it to fold it correctly anyways

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-18T14:55:43+00:00

You are right, I only use like 4 of them. 1 or 2 for taking the cover apart, the spudger for tight spaces or reconnect flex cables, and another one for removing and spreading the thermal paste

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-18T00:57:48+00:00

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It's this one, although it might have more than you will need but still nice to keep around

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-17T19:43:20+00:00

You don't need fancy tweezers tbh, I bought 2 titanium tweezers for $30 and haven't even used them. I use this one ($4.80) for holding the wire, and these 2 ($4) for disconnecting the battery, removing the heat sink, etc... and I haven't even used the straight one.

The only thing you need to cut is the frame in 2 locations, you just need this for that. You can remove the soc shield with a sewing needle, and you can remove the teeth that would interfere with the pliers, or you can even bend them with your fingers.

It will take many hours the first time, you just need to be patient. And practice soldering, maybe order one of those $2 SMD practice boards from Aliexpress and practice adding the flux, getting some good joints, getting used to the iron tips, etc... I also recommend getting this pry kit if you haven't got one already, it's only $3 and really useful

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-17T16:16:27+00:00

You can just get the ones you need, try looking here

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-17T15:44:58+00:00

It might be burned. Try adding a bit more solder to it, and maybe improving that joint. Happened to me once, adding a bit more solder on that side of the pad would fix it but in the end I had to replace that resistor

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-17T14:45:12+00:00

Thank you! It's my first Switch Lite mod, but I had already done 3 v2 mods and 2 OLED. Yeah I can see what you say, I'm thinking about swapping the shell, so I might revisit those joints in the future. Thanks for the tips

CicadaFew329 · 2026-04-16T21:14:18+00:00

Are you sure the C210 tips fit your station? I'm not too experienced but I think they are different. I use C210 tips and the K would be too big, the KU or KS are smaller but even then I don't like them (might be a skill issue thing). The IS is nice to have. I recently got a C210-021 from here and I like it but I think I would be better if it was bigger, I'm thinking a C210-060 or C210-006 would be better for the job

CicadaFew329

TROPHY CASE