Electronics - Tapping and repairing PCB traces.

Demonstrating the method I use to tap a PCB trace, and then how to repair a broken trace. My hands are not as steady as they used to be, but I think I get the idea across OK.
Yes, I know, it' better to tap at solder pads, but that's not what the viewer asked about. :-)

Discuss this and other videos on Facebook:

[TheGarrison]

Thank you so much for putting this video out. I’m about to attempt to read from an emmc chip on a pcb without taking it off. This gave me the confidence to give tapping the traces shot in a test board!

[watthairston]

For every 100, 000 there would be 100, 000 ways of doing this with the outcome being the same. Everybody has to do it the way they do it best. I have had a recent spate of circuit board repairs and over the years have found that the application of a little bit of Kester 156 liquid flux to the cleaned surfaces before heat sure does help the solder flow. Where there may be flux in the solder, not always does it get to where it is needed the fastest. Do what works best for you. Many thanks for the videos. Safe travels to TX.
73' de K4WRF

[johngrwf]

Exactly, the same method I was taught by the British Army many years ago during my electronics training.

A glass fiber brush / eraser works well for removing solder mask. Though, for this work you want a quite narrow brush (2 mm) and those are not that easy to get.

[cwguy]

I've done this many times....pretty much the same way you do. However, I prefer to use thin stranded wire for the tap so that any movement prevents the trace from pulling off the board, and I use solid magnet wire to bridge or repair open traces. Solder wick (in the appropriate size) also make a nice flat trace repair when needed. I've saved many a piece of gear using these methods. Good subject!

[vicmiller]

I have found that using the solid wire in a Ethernet cable that gave up the ghost. and stripped them for fixing traces. it also works well for me for tapping as needed if the current is small enough. thanks For the Video I am sure it will help many out there. Good job.

[robertl.tisdale]

Great video, now I have to go practice before I try the pop eliminator on my ubitx v3.

[LibertyEver]

I generally have no need to tap a PCB In the manner shown. I follow the trace to the nearest component and solder my tap to that to avoid any need to scrape off any solder mask. Ditto for PCB trace repair. If a small solder blob won't bridge a cut trace, I'll usually solder a roach wire between the components at the ends of the trace to bypass the entire trace. As an added bonus, that trick also works for broken or burned traces inside multi-layer PCBs.

[Aussat]

Thanks Kevin, as we get older our shakes get more and more.... This is my problem. Always pays to practice as you stated. I'm getting into micro work at the moment and have plenty of practice boards which allows me to get better at it. Done my mars mod on my 897d and 857d using heat gun and 0 ohm resistors, lot's of fun and looks good. I like your videos as they are informative and good basic ham radio experimentation as this is what our hobby is all about. Thank you. 73 ZL1MY

[Steven_VESY]

When repairing a trace dad taught me to use a resister wire. we would just cut the lead off of a resistor, and then dad would shape it to mirror the original path as much as possible.. Unless there was so much damage that he would jump from solder pad to pad if possible.

[DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Can you not use Elektrocote PCB repair paint to fix the track then when the stuff has dried hit it with the iron and it should become highly conductive.

[pagansunburn]

Two MAJOR things you missed points on and you really do need to make sure to do. 1. CLEAN your soldering tips. 2. Use flux to clean and tin your wires and traces before attempting to solder. It makes it a LOT easier to solder fluxed traces and wires.

[charlesschindler]

Wow today I’m #96! What a popular dude. Hey just don’t let it go to your head. Ha...ha. 👍🏻

[johnkershaw]

Afternoon Kevin.  Quick question.  Currently I have a lightweight portable wire dipole at my QTH.  Will I seen better results with a thicker wire, bigger balun dipole.  How about a rigid aluminum dipole.  Thanks for your thoughts.  JJK

[richardtwyning]

Hi Kevin, excellent video. You said you were looking for ideas. How do I go about showing the DX Cluster Telnet in Linux? :-) M7GTX

[gjee]

Cutting the wire with a knife could intruduce a new break in the trace. Tiny sidecutters would be a better choice. :-)

[shamrock]

Instead of using a knife blade to expose the copper what about using extra fine steel wool? It would clear off the finish on the copper and clean it up a wee bit?

[USXPOP]

To help with shaky hands try to place the heels of the hands on the board - if its big enough - or on the work area the board is resting on. It limits the amount of shake to the fingers and not the arms/hands. Staying away from coffee or alcohol or a nagging wife helps tremendously as well.

[AlanEKVRKing]

A small flat blade screwdriver is good for scraping the solder mask away!

[rkaag]

I only wish I could give more than 1 thumbs