If you're looking to tinker with your Steam Deck you will need some tools, so iFixit have just released a mini-essentials kit to get you going.
Their new Steam Deck Toolkit comes in at $12.95 / £11.99 / €17,95 and it looks like it's already out of stock in a couple of regions. Seems like a pretty reasonable price, considering iFixit generally have pretty good quality and support. It's nothing fancy, but a nice little kit for doing smaller stuff.
So if you're going to be do a Steam Deck case swap, upgrading the SSD, the face buttons or any modding projects this is the kit for you. It includes:
- iFixit Precision Bit Driver: Ergonomically designed for a comfortable, non-slip grip ensuring precise handling.
- iFixit Precision 4 mm Screwdriver Bits: Includes PH0, PH1 and TR6 bits, crafted from high-quality S2 steel for exceptional durability and precision.
- Spudger: Poke and pry safely with this spudger made from glass-filled nylon.
- Tweezers: Precision tweezers for handling small components.
- iFixit Opening Picks: Can be used for prying, sliding, separating, and air guitaring.
- ESD-Safe Brush & Precision Cleaning Brushes: Free your console from dust & debris.
- Anti-Static Wrist Strap: Essential for safeguarding your electronics from ESD damage during repairs.
See more on the iFixit store.
Just remember to take out your SD card before taking the back plate off the Steam Deck.
I actually have the much bigger Pro Tech Toolkit and it's really useful for so many hardware projects.
And I have a reason to get inside my Deck too as I need to do something to get rid of the headphones whine.
QuoteJust remember to take out your SD card before taking the back plate off the Steam Deck.To be fair, the only case I've heard of anyone actually forgetting that and breaking their card was from one of those early access guys, who had the deck early for review. I don't think anyone else has done it since, due to the sheer publicity that got.
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Quoting: Purple Library GuyNever knew guitar picks were so important for electronics repair.They're usefull for unclipping clips.
You put them inbetween the parts you want to separate and just slide them through the wedge wipping up any clip you encounter.
Can also been done with nails, but is more likely to do damage to the device.
Also they're quite subtle tools and can thus be used for glue prying.
Great for anyone just starting out perhaps.
Now if they could just offer some more replacement parts for the deck like the pCBs for the shoulder buttons or trackpads.
I guess those need special calibration?
Quoting: LoudTechieI almost had a heart attack thinking you meant using nails as in nails:Quoting: Purple Library GuyNever knew guitar picks were so important for electronics repair.They're usefull for unclipping clips.
You put them inbetween the parts you want to separate and just slide them through the wedge wipping up any clip you encounter.
Can also been done with nails, but is more likely to do damage to the device.
Also they're quite subtle tools and can thus be used for glue prying.
For prying things on circuit boards, etc. Then I realised... nah he probably means finger nails.... I hope.
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Quoting: BlackBloodRumGood news: I indeed meant finger nails.Quoting: LoudTechieI almost had a heart attack thinking you meant using nails as in nails:Quoting: Purple Library GuyNever knew guitar picks were so important for electronics repair.They're usefull for unclipping clips.
You put them inbetween the parts you want to separate and just slide them through the wedge wipping up any clip you encounter.
Can also been done with nails, but is more likely to do damage to the device.
Also they're quite subtle tools and can thus be used for glue prying.
For prying things on circuit boards, etc. Then I realised... nah he probably means finger nails.... I hope.
Bad news: I seem to remember using those for the exact same purpose, also a large screwdriver, a butter-knife, an actuallysharp knife(much better than a butter-knife).
Fancy kits are for fancy people and/or people with hard to repair stuff.
I don't fall under any of them.
I use what is available.
Last edited by LoudTechie on 20 July 2024 at 10:54 am UTC
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