Working on vintage electronics is, surprisingly, not much different from working on modern electronics. The circuits of vintage electronics are probably more simplified compared to today’s complex technology, but the tools needed to repair them are pretty much the same. Here is how to choose tools for restoring vintage electronics.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Soldering iron
Solder (60-40 tin-lead)
Screwdrivers
Eyeglass repair kit
Wire cutters
1Most of the time, problems with vintage electronics are the result of circuit connections that have gone bad. So the most used tool you will have is a soldering iron. Because you will get a lot of use out of this tool, it is recommended to spend a few extra dollars to get a nice soldering iron that is less likely to break or burn out.
2Choose a solder to use on your circuits that is appropriate to the job you are doing. A common solder to use is a solder that is 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead. Make sure that you are using flux core solder. When dealing with electronics, the thinner the solder gauge the better (reserve the thick stuff for large wiring jobs).
3It is important to maintain a good set of screwdrivers. It is highly recommended to have at least one flat head screwdriver and one phillips head screwdriver. It is usually a good idea to have several screwdrivers in various sizes.
4Get an eyeglass repair kit to keep on hand for when you encounter particularly small screws in your vintage electronics.
5You may sometimes need to splice or replace a wire in your vintage electronics. Even though you may very well be able to do the job with your pocket knife, it is probably better to have a good set of wire cutters that have a built in wire stripper.
