I almost forgot to release this one! Thankfully a vigilant viewer reminded me before it got deleted forever…

So what is it?

A super low serial number C64 Silver Label that my wonderful viewers helped me to repair! Thats all 😀

In this video, I return to a very early “Silver Label” Commodore 64 with a serial number in the 800s to finish a repair I previously failed at. With help from the community and some new diagnostic tools, I track down a persistent bit 2 error to a faulty U22 RAM chip. Watch as I demonstrate a clean desoldering technique, test the chip with a shiny new dedicated DRAM tester, and address further diagnostic errors related to the control ports on this rare 1982 motherboard.

In this video, I unbox a fresh haul of tools and materials from AliExpress, ranging from Amao M50 and Mechanic UV flux to a handy DC power meter with a barrel jack kit. I also look at some conductive copper tape, T12 soldering tips, and a new isopropyl alcohol dispenser to see which items are workshop essentials and which were ordered in error.

In this video, I take a look at the OSS Team T12 X Plus soldering station. Priced at around £32, it initially seems like a bargain, but after a teardown and some performance testing, I discovered some serious safety concerns. From a non-earthed metal case to unstable temperature calibration, this “budget” station might be more trouble than it’s worth. I compare it against the Pinecil and my Sugon A9 to see if it’s a viable tool or just expensive junk.

In this video, I’m unbagging a fresh haul of items from AliExpress. I’ve picked up a variety of components, tools, and parts specifically for retro-repair and electronics projects. Join me as I go through the packages to see what arrived, check the quality of these budget finds, and discuss how they’ll be used in upcoming repairs on the bench.

Ali Express links (some of these are affiliate links)

4164 Ram https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2Ifu3sJ

4164 Ram (-10 out of stock) https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4EjQN3H

4116 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3N5UIu7

32ohm 30mm Speaker x2 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4Luh2P1

The better Mechanic IPA dispenser bottle https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c30Ac1zv

Bottle nipples https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005220711757

32ohm 30mm Speaker https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3gcvrL5

The OTHER Mechanic IPA dispenser bottle https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007437433959

Flush cutters https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3Ox2ADl

Magnetic parts tray https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4PGgs3v

Silicon tubing Clear, ID 2mm x 4mm OD, 5 Meters https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4MGoOiR

Label obscurer https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4bRKnEL

Wire holder https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4p1vKEB

Cable organiser https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4Sb3hDv

In this video, I head down to the Retro Collective Cave for their museum jumble sale. It’s becoming harder to find genuine retro bargains, but museum clear-outs of excess stock are still one of the best ways to pick up vintage tech and gaming gear. Watch as I hunt through the piles and show you the absolute killing I made on some classic hardware.

In this episode of More Fun Fixing It, I take on a Commodore 64 with a classic black screen fault and some concerning internal corrosion. After a quick physical fix for a missing keyboard spring, I dig into the diagnostics using the C64 analyzer cartridge. The repair quickly escalates as I discover a bad PLA, a faulty 6510 CPU, and multiple failing 4164 RAM chips. Watch as I work through the logic to determine if this “genuine teak” plastic-covered C64 is still a rescuable machine or destined to be a parts donor.

In this episode of More Fun Fixing It, I take a look at some game-changing diagnostic tools for the Commodore 64. I explore the new Commodore Repair Toolbox by Dennis (HovKlan), a comprehensive resource for board layouts, schematics, and oscilloscope traces. I also test the C64 Analyzer Cartridge V2 from uni64.com, putting it to work on several faulty machines to see if it can truly pinpoint dead PLAs and bad RAM. Check out the Commodore Repair Toolbox: https://github.com/HovKlan-DH/Commodore-Repair-Toolbox C64 Analyzer Cartridge: https://www.uni64.com/ Join our amazing community in the Retro Hardware Discord here: https://discord.gg/5fmPMzU

In this bonus video, I’m doing an AliExpress unbagging focused on tools and supplies for retro tech repairs. From USB-C Power Delivery decoys and flux dispensers to some interesting steel mesh for case repairs, I’m stocking up the workbench for future projects. Also a few random items, including a 72-hour router reset timer and some black hot melt glue. Links to items – some of these are affiliate links. Items featured: – USB-C PD Decoy triggers (9V, 12V, 20V) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006400496390.html https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4t9u5cX – Liquid electrical tape https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4UdwtCf – Heat shrink solder sleeves https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3tR8GZH – Steel mesh for plastic repairs https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RSKiOX – Copper wool tip cleaners https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007565625529.html – Silicone USB-C cables https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3xqVfwb – Black hot melt glue https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c41L2k8F – SMD resistor sample book 0805 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3giMlgn – UV Resin https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3giMlgn – Breadboard https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4P2LY9H – Flux extruder https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009236159113.html – Wifi router resetter https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3Q8uA55 – Cleaning brush https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010518106662.html -Terrible magnetic cable tidies https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008565155083.html – Heat shrink tubing https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008895688869.html

After a year of putting the Hakko FR-301 through its paces, it’s time for a rematch. I’ve assembled seven different desoldering tools—from the legendary (and expensive) Hakko to a suspiciously cheap £17 “fire hazard”—to see which one is the true king of vintage PCB repair. In this episode, I’m put these tools through the “Desoldering Hunger Games.” I’m testing heat-up times, maintenance requirements, and a brutal, unscientific desoldering test on a sacrificial Issue 2 ZX Spectrum board. On test: The costly Hakko FR-301 (and the Japanese import “hack”) The modded ZD-915 (Is the “Moo Gun” still the value king?) The surprisingly quiet Yihua 948 The Gaojie S-993A and the terrifying 845 Plus manual options like the Engineer SS-02 and the Yihua 929D WARNING! Working on vintage hardware requires care. Please don’t treat your working boards the way I treat this sacrificial Spectrum!

In this episode of More Fun Fixing It, we dive into the meticulous process of restoring Commodore 64 keyboards. Dealing with a batch of six keyboards spawned from five restored cases, I test each one to identify non-responsive keys and common issues like flaky space bars and sticky home keys. Watch as I demonstrate a full teardown, including the removal of the shift lock wires and those tiny brass screws that are the bane of every restorer’s life. This project also serves as the perfect field test for the WorkPro 3.7V electric precision screwdriver, which helps speed up the tedious process of removing dozens of fasteners. Key highlights include: – A “destructive” experiment to prove that C64 rubber pads are graphite-impregnated all the way through, meaning they can be safely cleaned with abrasives like sandpaper. – cleaning gold contact PCBs using isopropyl alcohol and nano sponges. – Tips on checking solder joints and reassembling the keyboard. Keyboard testing software: CRL Joystick and Keyboard Test and Diagnostics [2021]