deepthaw #1 Posted April 4, 2018 Was given an Atari 5200 recently, which has kickstarted my long dormant need to start restoring/collecting classic consoles and computers. What are the basics everybody should have in a "retro-restore" kit? Even the cheap stuff, so that you don't get halfway through a project then grumble because you have to run down the street and spend two bucks buying something. What I've got so far is: Soldering Kit Desoldering wick & pump Electronics kit with a bunch of resisters/capacitors (none of which will be what I need, but I tried...) Conductive paint/pen Screwdriver with all the weird bits Drill with small bits 99.9% alcohol Q-Tips Baking soda Magic Eraser(s) Paper Towels Windex Goo-Gone What else will I find extremely useful to have? (I need to replace my helping hands I lost in a move...) Particular IC socket sizes that should always be on hand? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoshiChiri #2 Posted April 4, 2018 A flat magnet. For keeping screws in order. One of the guys I watch online keeps Brite Boy around for polishing brass contacts, but I've never had it come up. CD wipes & a credit card for cleaning inside of connectors, maybe? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tanooki #3 Posted April 4, 2018 I have a couple plastic picks and also a curve metal with a soft tip one too kind of like dental but not. Been very helpful getting into a tight space or to pry up or hold down something while working. Also helping hands are a must. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deepthaw #4 Posted April 4, 2018 CD wipes & a credit card for cleaning inside of connectors, maybe? Forgot about that. Where I work, we used to have card readers and printers that used what was basically a fabric card soaked with rubbing alcohol for cleaning its innards. I bet I could order those online and use them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skippy B. Coyote #5 Posted April 4, 2018 (edited) My kit includes: Various sized phillips and flat head screwdrivers Tri-wing screwdriver (for Game Boy systems) Security bits for Nintendo and Sega cartridges Spudger tool Magnetized screw tray Soldering iron with various sized tips High quality solder Solder wick Soldering sponge Hot glue gun and glue sticks Power drill with various sized bits (for hardware mods) Dremel tool with grinding and buffing wheels (again for hardware mods) Small hacksaw (for hardware mods yet again) Metal hobby file set (for smoothing rough edges of plastic after hardware mods) Various sized rulers (measure 5 times, cut once) Needle-nose and slip-joint pliers Several cans of compressed air Q-Tips Paper towels 70% Isopropyl alcohol Goo Gone DeoxIT D5 Threadlocker RED Clear Weld Epoxy (2 Ton Strength) Elmer's All Purpose Glue Stick (for reattaching loose cartridge labels) Shin-Etsu Grease (for lubricating arcade stick components) White lithium grease (for lubricating gears and laser tracks in disc based systems) 3-in-1 Oil (for lubricating trackball bearings) Bag o' Ferrite Beads 50g microswitches (for arcade joysticks) 20g microswitches (for arcade buttons) .187" Quick disconnect terminals with insulated covers (for the aforementioned microswitches) 22 AWG insulated wire Heat shrink tubing Wire stripper and crimper tool Electrical tape Whew! I think that about covers everything! The one thing above all else that I'd recommend having if you're going to be working on Atari systems is a can of DeoxIT D5. That stuff works wonders for cleaning corrosion out of system switch contacts and making flakey switches work just like new again. Edited April 4, 2018 by Jin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoshiChiri #6 Posted April 4, 2018 Forgot about that. Where I work, we used to have card readers and printers that used what was basically a fabric card soaked with rubbing alcohol for cleaning its innards. I bet I could order those online and use them. Let me know if you find those, I'd much prefer that to the credit cards or piles of system-specific devices I currently have! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deepthaw #7 Posted April 4, 2018 Let me know if you find those, I'd much prefer that to the credit cards or piles of system-specific devices I currently have! 50pk Presaturated Swipe Head Cleaning Cards (Dual Side) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAC7DB6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PTvXAbA91E33F Stuff like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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