Welded joint

[Carlo]

Just a newbie question...
I have extracted a card from a broken joystick, and want to use it for my future arcade controller.
Now, I see the welded joints which connect the card to old existing pushbuttons, so I don't know if I really need to remove them.
May I simply add my welded joint over them, since the existing controls will never give their input (so they will never interfere)? Or must I really remove the existing welded joints, and then putting mine? In this case, how can I do it without causing any damage to the card?
Thanks in advance,

Carlo

[Billabong]

OK, which card are you using? Is it a Sidewinder, Gravis, etc?
"welded joints which connect the card to old existing pushbuttons" Do you mean it already has 'external' buttons, or are the button contacts actually part of the circuit board (card)? Just trying to get an idea of what you are dealing with.

Check out this link for ideas: http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_staticx.shtml

FYI, on circuit boards and small stuff, it's usually called soldering (solder, soldered). Across the pond or around the world, I could be wrong though.


Later,
Billabong

[Carlo]

Hi Billabong,
thanks for your answer!
I'm using a Blaze arcade joystick: the only arcade joystick I've ever found, USB with 10 buttons for

[Billabong]

Hi Billabong,
thanks for your answer!
I'm using a Blaze arcade joystick: the only arcade joystick I've ever found, USB with 10 buttons for

[Carlo]

Hi Billabong,
thanks for all the information you're giving to me!

Well, I can't remove the buttons attached to the board (and a covering mask all around them), I suspect that it is soldered/sticked somehow, so if not necessary I wouldn't like to try using brute force.
I know in what point are all buttons, and for each one there are 2 solderings coming up (as I told you before).
That's why I was thinking about just adding my connections, and leaving the existing ones (should it theorically work?).

Later,

Carlo

[Billabong]

Good luck, let us know how you make out!

Billabong

[Carlo]

Ok, thanks for your support!

[darkmanx]

dont they sell some kind of de-soldering ribbon? you place it over the soldered connection, then apply your iron to it. the ribbon kind of sponges up the liquid solder and poof you have freed the connection.

[Carlo]

But is it dangerous for the card? I mean, by applying it for some seconds waiting for iron to desolder, might it damage anything lying near or on the other side of the card?
Just to know all eventual risks.
Thanks,

Carlo

[Billabong]

It's could be a problem, if you leave the iron on it for too long, or use a high-powered iron.

Billabong

[Carlo]

I see.
Using a 25W iron, how many seconds can I apply it with no risks in your opinion?
Thanks.

Carlo

[darkmanx]

im not sure, check this site - http://www.starbase74.com/mame/solderframe.htm , it tells you how to solder and de-solder things.