I’m regretting going the LCD monitor route.  After 2 weeks of waiting for an FFC extension with no luck, I decided to try and make the short ribbon cable work.  It worked for a few minutes until the disastrous results below.  I ripped the 20 connection ribbon cable from the board.  At .5 MM spacing this will be tough to fix.  I’ve ordered replacement surface mount connectors from Mouser.  Furthermore, I was rather disappointed in the brightness of the LCD monitor.  I used the backlights that came with the monitor but did not get results near as good as Geoman.

Ouch! This will test to see if you have steady hands

Good luck with the connectors.

Crap! This doesn’t look good… I do have an extra open LCD display available. I’ll test it and see if it works. Same FFC issue, you may need connectors for that too. If it runs and has no issues, I can just ship it to you and have you go at it if you like. I don’t need it and won’t charge you anything. But let me check first. Its a 17” ViewSonic.

GeoMan - 14 July 2008 03:05 PM

Crap! This doesn’t look good… I do have an extra open LCD display available. I’ll test it and see if it works. Same FFC issue, you may need connectors for that too. If it runs and has no issues, I can just ship it to you and have you go at it if you like. I don’t need it and won’t charge you anything. But let me check first. Its a 17” ViewSonic.

Thank you very much for your generous offer, but I think I can fix it.  Also I scored a free projector today and I am considering using it instead of a monitor for my first MT table.  Props on your MT CRT.  The LCD route is more difficult than I thought.

Really kind for you to offer that GeoMan… Its people like you that make this community great

nuiman - 15 July 2008 06:50 AM

Really kind for you to offer that GeoMan… Its people like you that make this community great

Thanks nuiman. Just trying to help out enthusiast fellows here. I continue to learn a lot from this forum on daily basis and for that reason, just like everyone else, want to share experiences and help out in any way I can. I want everyone to succeed here as they helped me succeed, and am willing to share my meager knowledge and resources that I have.

Isn’t that the whole idea?

Cheers!

Ouch, that does not look fun.  I have done some surface mount soldering like that, I find the best way is the “flood and suck” method, assuming you have a fine tip iron.  Google around for it, there are some good videos that show you how do it.  When I get my lasers I am going to try and find a way to make an LCD Multi-Touch Display without taking it apart.  I have an idea.

Good luck soldering!

Alex