[exploring the art]
[how it works]
Wires can be soldered
directly between the points marked as pairs on the circuit board. In the middle of these
wires would be soldered toggle switches so that these new sound-activating connections can
be turned on and off at will. Use the simple mini toggle switch, the common
"SPDT" (Single Pole, Double Throw). One wire will go to the switch's
middle terminal, the other will go to the terminal OPPOSITE the direction of the switch's
toggle handle when in the ON position. These toggle switches can usually be mounted on the
device's housing, creating the new control panel. If you are using "SPST"s
(Single Pole, Single Throw), there will be only two contacts to solder to; either of the
two wires of your pair can go to either terminal.
Note: It is assumed that the soldering skills of the bender (you) are such that quick and
precise connections can be made. This is important and not hard to learn. Quick, because
some components can be damaged by the heat of excess soldering, especially since the
bender may at times find it necessary to solder directly to integrated circuit (IC) pins
leading to micro-miniature delicate electronics inside the IC. Precise, because, as in the
example of IC pins, clearances can be minimal. The danger here is accidentally creating a
"solder bridge" between IC pins (or other tightly-spaced metals... printed
circuit traces, component leads, etc.) that were not meant to be soldered. There are
several devices available to remove solder mistakes from a circuit. These work either by
heating the solder and drawing it away from the circuit by means of vacuum, or by drawing
the heated solder, through osmosis, into a metal braid. Both techniques are a hassle.
Practice soldering until you feel comfortable with "quick and precise"; avoid
the solder mistakes and their correction tools.
The wiring procedure begins with counting how many pairs of connections you'll need
switches for. Next, decide how the switches will be mounted on the device's case (remember
to check for internal clearances so that the backs of the new switches don't hit the
device's internal parts when the unit is reassembled). Holes are drilled, the switches are
mounted, the pairs of circuit-bending connections are then soldered through their
respective switches and the device is reassembled.