How to Finish the Soldering for Circuit Bending

Circuit bending is an unusual and somewhat addicting hobby involving the disassembling of talking or musical toys and hooking them up to an amp or other device to make unique sounds. There is a world of possibility in circuit bending some of the most popular toys and electronic instruments out there. To circuit bend correctly, you need to know how to use a soldering iron.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Switches
• Heat-resistant surface
• Drill
• Electronic toy
• Screwdrivers
• Alligator clips
• Batteries

1. Gather the tools you will need for your circuit bending project. This should include a soldering iron, solder, a variety of switches, heat-resistance work surface or mat, the toy or musical device you're bending, a selection of small screwdrivers, batteries, a drill, and alligator clips.

2. Set up your work area. It is vitally important to make sure you have a heat-resistant surface to work on. If you do not have one, purchase a heat-resistant mat to place on your work surface. They can be found at most hardware and craft stores.

3. Dismantle the toy you are bending and decide what you would like to bend. You will first have to explore the circuit board using alligator clips. Once you have found the areas you want to bend, install the necessary switches and cut the wires for connecting the circuits.

4. Solder one end of the wire to the switch and solder the other end of the wire to the desired circuit. This should be done with a hot soldering iron and using the solder already on the circuit board. This prevents wasted solder and keeps the circuit board cleaner.