Hello!
Today's material will not be usual for me, since it will not be about repairing a specific device. In today's article, I would like to talk with you about whether it is worth doing self-repair at home at all, and if you still decide to do it, what will you need for such a repair, and where to get it.
Before we continue, I want to make one clarification – I am describing my personal experience, so it may well be that you have this experience, and therefore the tool used in the repair may differ.
The most important thing to acquire is a tool. As personal experience and reviews of fellow enthusiasts who started like me show, the first couple of repairs were made with only a set of screwdrivers from the tool.
It makes sense to acquire a full-fledged set of tools when you already clearly know that you like it and you will do it on an ongoing basis. Well, or if you have money to spare. ?
Various repairs
Repair can be of varying complexity. Conventionally, according to this parameter, it can be divided into several levels.
The simplest, in terms of interfering with the interior of the phone, is software repair. These are firmware, flashing and recovery of the device software. At the same time, sometimes software repair is very time-consuming and difficult.
The next most complex is modular repair. This is the case when minimal intrusion into the interior of the apparatus is required. With such a repair, one of the removable components of the device is replaced with a new one, for example, replacing the spoken or polyphonic speaker, display, touchscreen (if it goes separately from the matrix).
Next comes a more complex hardware repair, when simple soldering of certain components of the device is required. This includes the replacement of various connectors, charging, audio, buttons, etc. This also includes the replacement of the protective glass of the display in the case when this is not provided by the manufacturer (cutting the module with a string).
And the pinnacle of complexity is complex hardware repair, which requires delicate complex soldering of motherboard components, such as multi-core cables, power controllers, processors, etc., and therefore requires professional equipment.
In addition to knowledge and skills, for each of these types of repairs you will need different tools and materials.
For example, a modular repair that everyone can handle, and which is essentially elementary, requires a minimum of tools. More often than not, one screwdriver will suffice. If we are talking about replacing the display module, you will also need a hairdryer (enough for a household one), to warm up the display, double-sided tape or glue, and a couple of mediators, or old bank cards.
Let's take a closer look at the tool that you may need for one or another repair.
But before we talk about the instrument, I would like to say a few more words.
Fig 1. Image taken from the site: http://101biznesplan.ru/
No matter how trite it may sound, the very first and most important thing that will come in handy is a workplace with good lighting – a large, comfortable table and a bright desk lamp with a flexible leg. It's great if the lamp is special, in the form of a magnifying glass with built-in lighting. If not, I recommend getting a magnifying glass or a set of magnifying glasses. A very useful piece of equipment that can come in handy for examining small details. It is desirable that the magnifying glass be fixed in a movable clip, which will allow it to be installed at the desired angle and at the desired height.
Tool
The very first and foremost is a set of screwdrivers.
Fig 2. Image taken from green-spark.ru
It can be anything. Over time, you will have several of these sets. One for home, the main one, another to carry with you, and the third, just in case, a spare. But here everything is individual. Some people manage with one set. The main thing is that it contains bits for all main types of screws – a pair of slotted (flat) screws of different sizes, a star of several diameters, starting from type 0.8 (for disassembling cases iPhone), and a couple of Philips (cross). Screwdriver sets cost differently. The simplest set from unnamed Chinese manufacturers will cost about 150-250 rubles. More universal and larger sets will cost more – about 500 rubles. It makes sense to spend money on branded, professional kits from European manufacturers only if you plan to make repairs the main source of income, and even then not immediately.
Double-sided tape
An irreplaceable assistant in the repair of display modules and touchscreens.
Fig 3. Image taken from green-spark.ru
It is advisable to buy a special adhesive tape for such repairs. The usual one from the construction market will not work.
Scotch tape is not so simple. The best quality is '3M' tape. Moreover, it is most often faked. Keep in mind, the original 3M is expensive, about 500-600 rubles per roll and more. Therefore, if you are offered 3M scotch tape for 150 rubles, then this is definitely a fake. Although, many get along with non-original scotch tape. The main difference between the original and the analog, of course, is in stickiness, and hence in the strength of the resulting compound.
Adhesive tape comes in a variety of thicknesses, widths, colors and materials. The main colors are black, white and transparent. The thinnest 0.1 mm. Also, there is foam tape. Foam tape joints are more elastic, but thicker.
Often, tape of different thicknesses is used to glue the display module of one device. Thicker on the top and bottom, and thinner on the side edges. Therefore, for the first time, you can buy black, thin (0.1) and narrow (2mm) adhesive tape for the side edges, and thicker (0.3) and wider (5-6mm) for the upper and lower edges.
Such a set of two skeins of scotch tape will cost you 200 and 300 rubles each.
Glue
Many who are engaged in repairs prefer glue or sealant to tape.
Fig 4. Image taken from green-spark.ru
The glue is also different. The most commonly used adhesives are B6000 and B7000. They are distinguished by their density. Also, jewelry industrial glue E8000 is often used. It differs from the 'B' series in that it dries much faster, which means that it requires much more skill and experience. Such glue costs about 250-300 rubles per 110ml.
I strongly advise against using superglue for repairs. Unlike the 'B' series glue, superglue will not give you the right to make a mistake, and the glued parts cannot be separated by heating them.
Some craftsmen use automotive sealant to glue devices. Plus only in cost. Therefore, it is better to use special glue.
Pickers, splitters, paddles
Well, it's hard to say anything new here.
You will need these tools in order to separate various parts with snaps or tape, as well as unfasten loops. Plastic playing cards and guitar picks are often used as connectors. There is also a special tool. Most likely, if you order spare parts from online stores, over time you will have an impressive amount of such a tool. One recommendation – try not to use metal tools to remove cables from the board – they can easily damage small elements, which are usually abundant around the cable connector.
The cost of guitar picks can be checked in music stores. Mediators and plugs for repair cost a penny, so you can ignore their cost.
Tweezers
You will need two types of tweezers. Straight and curved.
I think it's not a secret for anyone what tweezers may be required for, so we will not dwell on this point in detail. Just remember that tweezers will come in handy. Tweezers cost from 100 to 400 rubles, depending on the type, material and manufacturer.
String
Special string for cutting display modules. Usually molybdenum black or gilded 0.1 mm thick and 100 meters long. With the help of this string, the heated display module is separated from the protective glass, for subsequent replacement thereof. I strongly advise against using other foreign objects for these purposes. Such as metal rulers, bank cards, etc. The display matrix is quite fragile and may not withstand such vandalism, so it is better to use a special string, since it is inexpensive (150-200 rubles per roll) and lasts for a long time. Most importantly, be careful, the string is very thin and can cut your hands if not used carefully. For a while I used an old Soviet jigsaw to fasten the string.
Photo-polymer (UV glue)
Special liquid transparent gel, hardening under the influence of ultraviolet rays, while maintaining transparency (LOCA). An irreplaceable material for the repair of modern display modules made using the 'no air gap' technology. There are different volumes. Buy the one that suits you best. If you are going to repair several devices at once in the near future, then it is better to take a larger volume. On average, one smartphone display requires 7ml of material. It costs about 500-600 rubles per 50 grams.
The material is very fluid and is capable of seeping into very small holes as well as spreading in a very thin layer. If you get dirty (and you do) the case of the device, or the surface of the display, then they will need to be thoroughly wiped with alcohol more than once. ?
Also, it is advisable to keep it in the dark.
Alcohol
You will need alcohol for many purposes.
This includes cleaning the board from traces of corrosion, and removing residual UV glue from the glass, and wiping the contacts and connectors. For all this, you can use isopropyl alcohol, which is freely sold in contrast to ethyl alcohol. Take more, it will definitely not be superfluous.
Glue remover
After you cut the module, you will be faced with the problem of removing the remnants of the glue that connected the glass and the matrix. Alcohol is powerless in this case. For these purposes, it is best to use a special UV glue remover. It is produced under different brands and comes in different sizes.
If you need to do it urgently, but there is no special tool yet, you can get by with a regular solvent, which just as effectively removes glue residues. The only difference is that after the solvent you will have to walk with alcohol to remove traces of the solvent.
Hair dryer
It will be useful for you to warm up the device before peeling off the display or other elements connected with tape or glue. A heated part is much easier to separate than an unheated one. For these purposes, an ordinary household hair dryer is enough for drying hair, which almost everyone has.
Ultraviolet lamp
With the help of such a lamp, the glue is polymerized after filling the module.
There are various models of these lamps on sale. There is practically no fundamental difference between them. The main difference is power. The polymerization time will depend on this. For these purposes, the lamps used by manicurists are also suitable (you can take them from a friend or wife) :).
The main recommendation is to choose a lamp from which the lower part can be removed. This will make it more convenient to place the module inside. The cost of such a lamp is usually 1000-1500 rubles, depending on the power and appetite of the seller.
Separator
The most expensive repair equipment without soldering. It is a special machine with a heating surface and fasteners with which it is very convenient to separate the display modules. It comes in different types, sizes and functionality. How much you need it is up to you. It makes sense to buy a separator only if you plan to frequently repair display modules and make money on it. Otherwise, the device will not pay for itself. After all, it costs about 5000 rubles for a simple option. I still have not decided to buy, and I use an old iron for these purposes.
Other consumables
This includes such small things that it will be difficult to do without.
These are ordinary blades for a safety razor (Sputnik type), lint-free wipes, cotton swabs, cotton swabs, and a special film for protecting / cleaning the display from dust from which you have already removed the protective glass.
Purchase of tools and equipment
In our age of digital technologies and remote trading methods, getting any equipment or material is not difficult. The main thing is to know where to look. And there are several options here:
- Ordering what you need on international internet sites such as eBay, Aliexpress, etc. The advantages of this solution are obvious – low cost. The disadvantages include long waiting times and risks of delivery.
- Search for Russian online stores, and order from them. The advantages include shorter delivery times for the purchase, and the ability to return the order, in the event of a defect or incompleteness. The disadvantages include a higher price compared to China.
- Search for representative offices of similar online stores in your own or nearby cities and purchase equipment on the spot. A definite plus is getting a purchase here and now with the opportunity to touch and examine the purchased product. The downside is the higher price, even in comparison with Russian online stores.
What you choose is up to you. The main thing is not to rush and compare prices from different sellers.
There is another not obvious, but very effective option – to contact one of the small service centers in your city with the question of where they purchased equipment and materials. It is not a fact that you will be immediately lucky and the first master that comes across will tell you his sources, but believe me, if you show persistence and friendliness, then one of the masters will definitely respond. Among other things, you can search for such information in specialized groups in social networks, or in specialized forums. As the saying goes, 'viam supervadet vadens'.
Conclusion
That's probably all with regards to the tool that you need for repairs that do not require soldering.
Most of the tool can be replaced with something. Much can be dispensed with. How much the savings are justified, everyone decides for himself. A good, high-quality tool will not only make repairs simpler and easier, it can radically change the attitude towards this hobby.
It is possible that you are used to using some other tool, or you are using something that I have not said, I will be glad if you share your knowledge in the comments. After all, experience is never superfluous.
If the article seemed useful and interesting to you, in the second part I will tell you what is required for a more complex repair, which requires soldering and testing of electronic components.