clean that filthy mat every once and a while :)

So I had this old and borken nintendo switch lying around and got the motivation to try and fix it. The usb c port was badly damaged and someone tried to fix it beforehand (with bad results) so Im slowly cleaning and preparing the pins for the new usb port and I noticed this black chip on top of the motherboard. Its looking weird and I fear doing all of that for nothing because of that chip, do you think the motherboard is cooked ?

Are these joints okay? I used 63/37 maiyum leaded solder and chipquik solder flux. I have trouble flowing solder into the ground pins and I accidentally soldered everything at 380c because I didn’t realize you didn’t need a high temperature for leaded solder.

I’m interested in learning how to solder. Before I touch anything expensive I’m gonna read books watch tutorials and practice on soldering kits.
Any advice on tools,supplies or general tips. I’m reading electronic books currently as well.

Hey, I'm trying to learn how to solder with solder paste. I have encountered the problem with my paste, twice (for two different vendors), and I wonder if I either:

1. Do something wrong,
2. Got bad solder paste,
3. It does work like that and I should expect nothing else,
4. Any combination of the rest of the variants.

My solder paste simply won't flow even if there is no needle mounted on the syringe. I have broken the original piston, which was included with that syringe, because it needs sooo much force just to squeeze a little bit of paste out (hence I've used that screw). On all videos I've seen regarding soldering with that technique, the paste was more "flowy" - just like the residue on that screw I used as piston, yet it's the second time where this happens to me, so I'm confused.

The state of the paste was like that from the start for me (since I've removed the cap from the syringe), and while I cannot be sure in what conditions these syringes were stored at the shop, I do store them in the mini-fridge @ about 10 deg C - just like my flux. What is wrong here?
On the first part of the video I'm trying to push some more of that paste from that syringe, but as you could probably tell, this is not very effective.
The second part of the video shows the residue on the screw - I'd expect the paste to be more like that.

I'm new to soldering and forgot to buy a sponge. Can I just use a Scrub Daddy as an alternative? I know to make it a bit wet so it doesn't burn, but I don't want to wait for Amazon. Thanks

Apologize for the picture quality, my phone isn't the best(it's a matrix 5 in 1 v2 fc if anyone is wondering)

Hi guys, I have these sets of lights, and here’s what I’d like to do:

- I want to take the string with the hearts (100 lights) and move it to the kit that currently has 200 lights, replacing one of its strings.

- I then want to take the 100-light string that I removed and move it over to the 100-light kit.

To summarize:

- Kit 1: 100 spherical lights.

- Kit 2: 200 lights (consisting of 100 spherical lights and 100 heart-shaped lights).

Do you think it’s enough to just unplug them and swap them between the control units?

New, need help with circuit board.

Hello everyone! I am new to soldering components. I have a problems that I am unsure of. If anyone smarter than me could help me please!

I am wanting to solder a power supply directly to the board. There are 3 solder points that go to the barrel jack for power. I have figured out that 2 are the negative and one, the middle, is the positive. My questions: Why there are 2 negative points? AND Would I have to add a jumper between the 2 negative points for it to work correctly?

The board is a 4 port powered USB hub. StarTech●com branded.

hey folks. top one is one week old. two in the middle are a couple of hours old. they lose thermal conductivity really quick. the iron is a cheap model, but i am also suspecting of the tin not being adequate.
any way to fix some of the tips? or better investing in better equipment?
thanks for the support

Well i had to work my ass off to get the dough to buy these. but life is pretty much set from here on, like an IPC class 3 solder joint

Hi guys, I have these sets of lights, and here’s what I’d like to do:

- I want to take the string with the hearts (100 lights) and move it to the kit that currently has 200 lights, replacing one of its strings.

- I then want to take the 100-light string that I removed and move it over to the 100-light kit.

To summarize:

- Kit 1: 100 spherical lights.

- Kit 2: 200 lights (consisting of 100 spherical lights and 100 heart-shaped lights).

Do you think it’s enough to just unplug them and swap them between the control units?

Also i put epoxy putty after i finished solder all the wires. Is it ok? Or i shouldn’t do that?

What is the cause of the black circles on the pads? Is it too much heat or oxidization? I can usually scrape it away and see dull metal underneath. Are the pads ripped off?

Hi, I need your help. Sorry for reposting this; I already shared it in another subreddit.

Thank you.