Fixing a Broken USB Port with Basic Tools
92,248
Published 2023-02-25
www.BorderlineOCD.com/
β eBay charity auction for this mic (ends Tue, Feb 28, 6:00 AM PST)
www.ebay.com/itm/115715973681
In this video I repair a broken USB port in a Blue Snowball iCE microphone. I make a point to use the most basic soldering tools so that the repair has broad appeal with a beginner audience that are just starting out. Although I repair a broken USB port, the tools and techniques I demonstrate are applicable to repairing broken ports and other beginner projects in general.
π Some specialty products specific to this project
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
100 piece mini USB assortment set: amzn.to/3xUcdNg
My philosophy on buying tools is to start small and to "outgrow" your gear over time. Expensive gear won't improve your repair and fault finding skills, only practice will do that. With that in mind below is what's in my current toolkit.
π§ Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: amzn.to/30F5TJm
Pocket Multimeter: amzn.to/3IdvzQz
Component Tester: amzn.to/3l5rHG8
π Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
Tip Tinner: amzn.to/31w2EF4
Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/3dI93ly
π Soldering Add-ons
Fume Extractor with Hose: amzn.to/3hspLZi
Desoldering Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3Qe9ipl
Hot Air Rework Station: amzn.to/3w023bF
Circuit Board Holder: amzn.to/3k35Pzm
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: amzn.to/3ihgksP
π₯ Thermal Compounds & Tape
Kapton Tape amzn.to/3DEu0dd
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: amzn.to/2Ak2y8w
1.5MM Arctic Thermal Pads: amzn.to/2Vv1RQU
𧴠Lubes and Epoxies
White Lithium Grease: amzn.to/2UApx5M
Plastic Epoxy: amzn.to/3up0LIm
All Comments (21)
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The charity auction has ended. A big thank you to channel subscriber Lawrence from the UK for making a statement about repair with his winning bid and paying more than a new mic is even worth. You rock!
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Videos like this where you do things a beginner can do with basic tools are so valuable. I feel there aren't enough of them, but I suspect it's bad for your watch statistics, plus you have to be a downright artist to make a video that isn't just instantly criticized based on style or neatness. Thankfully your style and neatness are impeccable! Here's to hoping you get lots of views!
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I have a broken USB port on an old dongle for my Xbox, so this will be a great help in bringing that back to life. Also - congratulations on reaching 50k subscribers! It's well deserved. Your channel is my favourite amongst all the "retro" repair YouTubers I've come across.
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That tip with the wick is seriously underrated. I always used to do it the old, burn-your-fingers way, but now I do it your way and it's so much better. And better yet because it doesn't have to heat up a bunch of extra wick the occurrences of it sticking to the board are extremely rare, now.
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Videos like this are the reason I even got a soldering iron...have fixed quite a few things I would have thrown away otherwise!! Thanks man!
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Man, your videos are so helpful! I'm a game collector, but I've really got into cleaning, refurbishing and repairing consoles and controllers of my own as well as for my buddies game store. Many of the skills needed have been learned from watching detailed content creators such as yourself. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge!!!
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When you clipped that and it went flying and you did the "oh shit....where did that just go" .....I've been there to many times lol. That got me.
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These are the best videos to watch with a morning coffee. Thank you!
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I have some old devices here with broken usb ports and I was a little affraid to repair because I lack a lot stuff. But now I'll give a shot next week! Thanks!
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I saw the repair that you did on the 32X and now with this repair has build my self confidence to try fixing my faulty Genesis that I drop on the floor accidentally
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Nice fix. One of the first things I fixed was a remote for a Sony receiver that got stepped on. Had a ripped via on some kind of transistor. I was able to scrape the trace and reconnect it with a piece of wire. Also fixed a few sets of earbuds, replaced battery contacts on a DMG Gameboy and installed an UltraHDMI kit for the N64 with very basic tools and a relatively inexpensive soldering station, thanks to videos like this and the ones Voultar puts out.
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I love the usage of the component leg trick. I sometimes use solder braid to recreate the pads.
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I have a Nintendo New 2DS lying around with a shoulder button with 2 ripped pads. You just gave me the perfect idea on how to fix this, thanks :D
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I love how you anchored the port to the board! Brilliant job and Brilliant video as always π
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"I'm going to wet my tip and creep up on them from behind" - 9:23 - Borderline OCD - 2023 ...and here I thought this was a family friendly channel..
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Thank you for this great demo. I actually found your channel when looking for the Blue Yet repair and have enjoyed it ever since. Your channel has given me the confidence to perform simple repairs or mods with soldering. I hope others find this channel helpful too. It sucks when folks throw away broken electronics that can be fixed with relative ease.
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Love the mullet
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Great video as always, really enjoy the way you explain every step and the attention to detail. " Wet the tip and creep up from behind" was not a phrase i had heard before while soldering tho π
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What a beautiful fix. Love how you were able to get usb to stay even with those broken traces. Great job
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8:50 got me laughing π his face when he loses that piec
