A lot of people are asking for the right to repair. Many people believe products should last longer, and therefore when broken, they should be repaired. This requires products to be designed for repair as well as support for repairers of all kinds. The goal of right-to-repair rules, advocates say, is to require companies to make their parts, tools and information available to consumers and repair shops in order to keep devices from ending up in the scrap heap. The surge in interest in right to repair is good news for consumers and environment, but it isn’t great news for those companies keen on planned obsolescence.
Fix, or Toss? The ‘Right to Repair’ Movement Gains Ground article says that in USA both Republicans and Democrats are pursuing laws to make it easier for people to fix cellphones, cars, even hospital ventilators. In Europe, the movement is further along.
Vice article The Right to Repair Movement Is Poised to Explode in 2021 article says that in USA fourteen states are exploring “right to repair” legislation as the movement gains steam. Whether it’s John Deere’s efforts to make tractor repair costly and annoying, Apple’s bullying of independent repair shops, or Sony and Microsoft’s attempt to monopolize game console repair, US corporations have done an incredible job the last few years driving bipartisan public interest in the “right to repair” movement. Last year witnessed monumental progress for right to repair and 2021 is expected to take the effort to an entirely new level.
In addition to the environmental impact of slowing the rate of expanding landfills there are also other benefits. A recent report by US PIRG found that repair monopolization comes with significant costs for American consumers. It also found that American families would save $40 billion ($330 per family) per year if they repaired more products and used them for longer periods. That’s of course
The French repair index: challenges and opportunities article tells that since January 1st 2021, France is the first country in Europe to have implemented a repairability index on 5 categories of electronic devices. While this index is a key milestone for the Right to Repair in Europe, it isn’t without limitations.
295 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Techniques to repair PADS on Electronic Motherboards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZt1p84UxWE
Today we are going to work on a broken graphics card from a client.
Rebuild pads on graphics cards, how to do it the easy way.
00:00 Intro with damage
01:01 cleaning old tin
04:09 repair bent pad
05:40 repair broken track
08:55 pad offline, what to do?
09:24 rusty pad, how to repair
11:10 measure the connection of the pads
11:48 reconstruction of a pad on plate
13:40 repair broken pad, another method
15:58 repair two broken pads on the same line
18:30 Rebuild pad, using a bridge
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Fix Water Damage – Xiaomi Phone Motherboard Repairs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkl0tEnRdYg
How to repair a wet Xiaomi? In today’s video we have a device with water inside, it is a water damage device and we are going to repair it.
00:10 Check the wet Xiaomi
00:35 Disassemble the mobile
01:05 Visual inspection
02:02 Check moisture sticker
02:56 Inspection with the microscope
03:55 Manual cleaning process
08:13 Remove shields with the Dremel
10:06 Measure components for short circuit
10:41 Check the device
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Replace (And Spec) Filter Capacitors on Vintage Receivers
AH-Fix-It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO6PqvzH3jQ
1:02 – Disassembly/Removal
3:55 – How To Spec and Find Replacement Caps
7:16 – Reassembly/Installation
12:42 – Measuring Capacitance – Was Replacement Necessary?
In this video I replace the filter capacitors on a Marantz 2250B, but this video is certainly applicable and/or relevant to many other vintage receivers!
This 2250B is getting a full restoration, so check out my channel if you’d like to see other videos about restoration!
Tomi Engdahl says:
PCB Trace Repair Method Using Epoxy | BEST, Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozH2F3AX8BY
PCB pad circuit repair using epoxy. Using multiple angles including overhead and from both right and left angles the BEST instructor staff demonstrates plainly how to repair a PCB pad using the epoxy method. This method is per IPC 7721 4.4.1.
Circuit Board Corrosion Repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yt7xjZ48I8
How I repaired the corrosion on a circuit board.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/07/07/show-em-what-youre-made-of-with-this-repair-logo/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Repairing An Xbox One Controller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHNnPK2uleE
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.overclockers.com/the-oven-trick-repairing-your-broken-video-card-with-an-oven/
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Leo’s law nr 3″ and it says:
If you find the cause of the problem (you think) then Leo’s law nr 3 says:
THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER PROBLEM HIDING SOMEWHERE
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Swiss tech wizard recently demonstrated an open-source design for a user-friendly repair of an Apple AirPods Pro case—and says his goal is to demonstrate how the product “could have been easily made repairable with minimal effort.”
https://trib.al/TXyHAOR
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ingenious way to Repair Broken Plastic Without Super Glue or Soldering Iron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7FUXjCO6I4
In this DIY video i show you what a professional Plastic Welder taught me, how to weld plastic without special tools ! it´s a simple DIY plastic welding method called chemical welding to repair and fix broken plastic without using a soldering iron or instant adhesive With this method you don´t need a Plastic Weling Machine or Plastic Welding Gun, it is a much more effective and durable than repairing using super glue and baking soda and don’t require special tool.
Plastic Welders or Plastic welding machines are expensive but you can solve the problem of broken plastics watching this video called Professional Plastic Welder told me : You Can Repair Broken Plastic Wihout Soldering Iron or Super Glue.
Enjoy this video about how to repair cracked plastic items or tools around the house or workshop.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Plastic Welding Method with steel wool. Easy way to repair broken plastics!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9RC3-qgNzU
In today’s DIY video, I show you a simple plastic soldering method and ways to repair and fix broken plastic using a soldering iron and steel wool to solder the plastic. With this method of plastic welding, it is much more effective and durable than repairing using superglue and baking soda, and it does not require a special tool.
I hope you like this video on how to fix broken or cracked plastic items or tools at home or in the workshop.
Tomi Engdahl says:
CALIBRATE YOUR TORQUE WRENCH IN UNDER 5 MINUTES (NO SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrOvF9b5Qis
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ElectronicParts/permalink/2242193939303262/
This or that?
https://github.com/svenpetersen1965/DIN-connector_soldering-aid-The-Potato
They said „use a potato for soldering DIN connectors“, so I do.
The omnifixo is not a bad thing. I am using it much more often, than my „helping hand“.
The Potato produced quite some attention, which has really astonished me. In Forum64.de, they have ordered 200 boards
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/08/20/tiny-spheres-hiding-in-your-display/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Glitch Works GW-1225-1 Dallas DS1225 Replacement
https://www.tindie.com/products/glitchwrks/glitch-works-gw-1225-1-dallas-ds1225-replacement/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why ceramic capacitors fail
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZRcCdKgGqyk
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/08/30/the-mcdonalds-ice-cream-machine-saga-and-calls-for-right-to-repair/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why would Scientologists care about device repairability? Some have suggested that it could have to do with the group’s electropsychometers.
Right to repair’s unlikely new adversary: Scientologists
“A totally unreasonable proposal.”
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/right-to-repairs-new-unlikely-adversary-scientologists/?utm_brand=ars&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_social-type=owned&fbclid=IwAR239QlyMyfyuPdP3DFNerRXzksxG3Zz67Jt78E_JBdJ7Nuge5ezEImiU7Y
The right-to-repair movement has had its share of adversaries. From Big Tech to politicians and individuals who don’t think product repairability should be government-mandated, it has been a tedious battle for a movement that has seen major wins lately. One of the most recent wins came from Apple, a former DIY repair combatant, supporting repairability legislation. But taking Apple’s place is a new entity aiming to limit right-to-repair legislation: Scientologists.
Author Services’ letter argues that while that exemption works for the “many consumer devices” that include “unilateral ‘shrink-wrap’ licenses governing the terms of use of the software,” they shouldn’t apply to devices that “can only be purchased and used by someone who possess [sic] particular qualifications or has been specifically trained in the use of the device.” With those products, the license agreement is “negotiated and agreed to in advance” of purchase and may include restrictions that are critical to “safe and proper” device usage.
The Scientology-tied group seeks an amendment to the exemption so that it doesn’t apply to software-powered devices that can only be purchased by someone with particular qualifications or training or that use software “governed by a license agreement negotiated and executed” before purchase.
Before we get into what horse the Church of Scientology could have in the right-to-repair race, let’s consider whether its amendment is extreme.
“It’s a totally unreasonable proposal,” Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability at iFixit, told Ars Technica. “I can imagine manufacturers using the presence of a ‘quick start’ guide for a product as evidence that their consumers are ‘specially trained in use of the device’ and thus denying broad access to repair.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Quick Poll: Is right to repair a consideration when designing your product?
Aug. 28, 2023
5
Right to repair has been gaining traction, as is the case with the new law in Massachusetts.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/home/article/21272359/electronic-design-quick-poll-is-right-to-repair-a-consideration-when-designing-your-product?utm_source=EG+ED+Auto+Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230831087&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Right to repair has been an issue for a very long time. Many vendors have resisted the requests to provide products that can be repaired, or be repaired by non-company personnel. Many try to force log in by using patents or licensing for hardware or locking down software using any number of methods from secure boot to authorization from the internet.
Right to repair legislation has been hard to come by because vendors and vendor support groups have tried to derail such efforts. Massachusetts recently passed a right to repair law primarily targeting transportation platforms such as cars, but it’s applicable to things like tractors. The impact of the legislation will take time to evaluate and hopefully it will improve the design of products, which is what we’re interested in here.
Right to repair affects everything from walled gardens to security and reliability. Many products have significant costs for maintaining them over their lifetime. The issue isn’t simple and there can be additional costs—and even savings—depending on how open a product is for repair and maintainability.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Recapping: It’s the New Bloodletting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKVejMuCajk
Replacing capacitors is no substitute for repair. It is not a panacea or cure all. Reasons to recap are discussed, as well as horror stories of recaps gone bad.
Replacing Electrolytic Capacitors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPCAYOz80Xw
This video illustrates a method of “recapping”–removing and replacing electrolytic capacitors on a circuit board.
Failing capacitors can cause a computer or electronic device to malfunction.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/09/07/transistor-radio-repair-more-complex-than-it-seems/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Yellow Glue – The Enemy Of Electronics
https://sound-au.com/articles/yellow-glue.htm
‘Yellow Glue’ is a topic that’s mentioned (and not in a good way) in a great many websites and forum pages. It’s common in Asian made electronics products, and is often used in large quantities to hold components onto PCBs. This is either to hold them in place during assembly, or to prevent movement when the product is used. If parts can move or vibrate, it’s inevitable that eventually the component’s leads will break due to metal fatigue. While I’ve used the term ‘yellow glue’ in this article, it’s not necessarily yellow. Various other colours seem to be available (including black), but the vile yellow stuff seems to be the most common.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Diagnosing a faulty PSU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZDX-1Arg7o
A very common PSU fault on a fairly nice power supply from a media player.
Don’t be fooled by the cheap SRBP (Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper) style PCB. It’s been designed with common sense and safety in mind to comply with UK standards.
The sizing of the diode array is probably mainly for the increased passive thermal dissipation.
Tomi Engdahl says:
With Just $0.50 Components I turned Garbage Products into GOLD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bicunweBAQ
0:00 The Problem of my AliExpress Products
1:16 Intro
2:04 Why is Noise/Ripple Bad?
3:39 How to Measure Noise Correctly
4:32 5V UPS Noise Problem
5:46 Solution 1: Post Regulation
7:51 Solution 2: Component Improvement
8:39 Capacitor Replacement
9:55 Other Component Problems
10:49 Mini Boost Converter Fix
Tomi Engdahl says:
Pure Electronics Repair. Learn Methodical Fault Finding Techniques / Methods To Fix Almost Anything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAp5x3Z_gc
Tomi Engdahl says:
Desoldering Made Easy – Amazing Trick || Soldering Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vou2xlJkuoU&t=13s
Desoldering made easy / amazing trick is a neat easy to follow guide showing a simple solution for removing through hole PCB components.
Using one simple item see how you can remove many various PCB parts ranging from PCB Headers / Connectors right through to Transformers and Relays using this simple trick.
If you enjoy this video and find it of use please consider my many other soldering tutorials showing many different aspects of the soldering world on my Mr SolderFix YouTube channel.
Also if you don’t want to miss out on any future postings please consider subscribing and make sure you hit the notification Bell.
Thank you for your support , good luck.
Mr SolderFix
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To De-pin Connectors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_rAIKPlWA
After Dave’s last video we’ve received a metric ton of comments asking about the method and techniques for de-pinning connectors. Not to leave you guys hanging we quickly gathered a whole bunch of the most commonly used aftermarket connectors, and threw them at Dave yelling: “go on then, de-pin these, and look sexy while doing it!” As always Dave rose up to the challenge:)
Want to skip to the section you’re most interested in? Use the shortcuts below:
00:00 Intro and Tools
01:20 DTM style
04:23 AMP Superseal
06:28 Packard style
08:30 Delphi style
11:20 TI/Honeywell style
15:26 Tyco style
19:12 BOSCH style
21:10 Deutch circular style
22:53 GM (Metri-Pack) style
Tomi Engdahl says:
The WELDER, Re-Invented! TEMU Surprise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX1FfeG20bw
What is this funky looking oversized drill and how does it work?
Yes is the same Welder I showed last week that I picked up from TEMU.
We’re going to test the this hand held welder and how it compares to a regular welder. Also seeing if it’s worth buying and if I’m keeping it!
Tomi Engdahl says:
$70 vs $2,300 Welder? Let’s Settle This! Weld Strength, Duty Cycle, Current Output, Build Quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK_Cn5lxggA
Tomi Engdahl says:
Starlink Repair – Digi-key refused my order.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1oqFmtatEk
Tomi Engdahl says:
T. C Electronic M-One Dual Effects Processor Repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8C8BbPsEC0
Got one of these in for repair. Never seen one before. It’s dead Jim. Lets see if we can fix it.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Learn Electronics Repair #18 – Disco Lights 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAthFXumYNo
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electronics Repair Is Hard Enough Already – Don’t Make This Stupid Mistake And Make It Worse!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UYIkfzRz54
Tomi Engdahl says:
Crazy Repair on this expensive device. 24 broken traces. Anritsu Spectrum Analyzer MS2721B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmjAIXx48AA
Spectrum Analyzer MS2721B Broken connector with 24 missing pads restoration and repair.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A New Way To Trace Short Circuits in VRM Using Basic Equipment : Find Shorts Motherboard and GPU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tV-x7v_eFs
Here is a different way to trace short circuits, particularly in VRMs found on motherboards and graphics cards, using just a bench PSU and a millivolt Meter. I’ve not seen this method demonstrated before, maybe it is a new way for you to trace these faults?
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/09/24/saving-a-scope-from-the-dumpster/
Tomi Engdahl says:
PCB Repair Is A Sticky Proposition
https://hackaday.com/2023/10/14/pcb-repair-is-a-sticky-proposition/
What do you do when a PCB is cracked or even broken in two? [MH987] has a plan: superglue the board back and then bridge the traces with solder, solder paste, or wire. The exact method, of course, depends on the extent of the damage.
We’ve had some success with similar techniques, and, honestly, for single-sided boards, we would be tempted to add a thin backer behind the crack. We’ve also used conductive paint to repair traces, but it’s good to have having as many tricks as possible because you never know what will work best for a particular repair. The post mentions that this is easier to do on a single-sided board, but it is certainly possible to do on a two-layer board.
How to Repair a Snapped/Cracked PCB (Circuit Board)
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Repair-a-SnappedCracked-PCB-Circuit-Board/
In this Instructable I hope to show you how to fix any broken PCB’s you may have as this is often seen as something that can’t be repaired and can contribute to a large amount of E-waste each year. For this example I will repairing a broken Sony Walkman that has had the PCB snap in half in three seperate places. This tutorial is for single sided PCB’s with tracks on only one side, double sided PCB repairs are possible but a slightly harder to repair due to having to repeat the process on both sides. This guide is made for someone with some prior experience with soldering but can be learnt.
*this is a guide for low voltage electronics and how you use this is up to you*
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/10/15/burnt-resistor-sleuthing/
How To Find The Value Of A Burnt Open Circuit Unmarked Resistor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hB6mIoRIVI
Tomi Engdahl says:
Potentiometer Maintenance And Lubrication-Case Study
https://support.newgatesimms.com/potentiometer-maintenance-and-lubrication-case-study/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/all03/source.htm?fbclid=IwAR2Y_VABSHPZMUVVtjNoEYlcIepEwCXgftSyzywcSYG2dXyXzDKG4aX8Rvc
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kuivuvia elkoja ja sähkönjohtavaksi muuttuvaa liimaa. Niistä on suunniteltu vanheneminen tehty ja ohjelmallisesti voi vähän hienosäätää.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Easy Multi Pin Through Hole Socket removal with just a soldering iron Using this Trick
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KlWP0vVqlwA&fbclid=IwAR384w6KmSmR2EszEvs3N9ceWnBx6pVXzF6Y-zuZSwIqVYa88zaqqSoeUEg
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.circuitbasics.com/how-to-hack-a-headphone-jack/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2024/02/15/lift-those-pins-with-ease/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.iflscience.com/apple-finally-weighs-in-on-the-should-you-put-your-iphone-in-rice-debate-73046
“Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice,” Apple added. “Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
So, is this just a big corporate ploy to keep that toilet water inside your phone, requiring you to buy a new handset? No.
“Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice,” Apple added. “Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
So, is this just a big corporate ploy to keep that toilet water inside your phone, requiring you to buy a new handset? No.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mikropiirien asennus ja vaihto. Maksimikoko 40 x 40 mm. Piirin siirto piirilevyltä toiselle onnistuu myös.
https://www.piiritys.fi/?fbclid=IwAR0yA8V1lvVl0uc1iOJaKL0ZR3ncTnTKfaof7d4a_8LxHEuegx_6Gkt3AlM
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2024/02/01/multi-way-capacitor-replacement-without-the-pain/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Turn a Vintage Hi-Fi Into a Modern Entertainment Center Obsolete components aren’t the obstacle to repairs they used to be
https://spectrum.ieee.org/vintage-audio-repair
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.pa3fwm.nl/technotes/tn29a-dim-bulb-tester.html?fbclid=IwAR1Gj01rjwHrSQ8lLlLb3YjIGw_X7_s2wDt5yAUYaPQ4hSfD_T5tOooXO4Y
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2024/03/20/you-should-be-allowed-to-fix-mcdonalds-ice-cream-machines-say-federal-regulators/