Mending a broken circuit board

Topic

New Reply

This may be a bit lower level than the Hardware Board normally gets, but I’m betting someone here has doen just this.

I want to repair a piece of broken circuit board from a monitor that someone yank the power cord mount out of, but I’m not sure what sort of glues or fasteners would be best to mend the actually circuit board material.

Now, the break isn’t anywhere near the high-voltage or sensitive electronics bits, and it’s nowhere near any of the traces, so I’m confident it can be repaired. It’s merely the receptacle for the power plug, and that’s not a problem for me to put back together.

Thanks for any advice.

Jim Helfer
Pittsburgh PA

Reply | Quote

Replies

You could try contact cement. Keep in mind, though, that the integrity of the PCB is now compromised with the break. Unless you can figure out a way to brace it, there will always be a weak point in it that is prone to breaking. As for braces…popsicle sticks work wonders!

Reply | Quote

Now, when you say “contact cement” I think of the flammable stuff that you spread on large flat surfaces to affix veneer or hardboard. I suspect this isn’t what you meant.

I was thinking of trying jb-weld. (two-part white/black ) epoxy. I like the popsicle sticks. One of the most-used tools in my shop!

Jim

Reply | Quote

Sorry, I did mean an epoxy of sorts. The stuff I have is actually labeled contact cement but it’s not flammable. Epoxy is probably better because it would be stronger. Put that with some popsicle sticks, and you’re off to the races!

Reply | Quote

Sorry, I did mean an epoxy of sorts. The stuff I have is actually labeled contact cement but it’s not flammable. Epoxy is probably better because it would be stronger. Put that with some popsicle sticks, and you’re off to the races!

Reply | Quote

Now, when you say “contact cement” I think of the flammable stuff that you spread on large flat surfaces to affix veneer or hardboard. I suspect this isn’t what you meant.

I was thinking of trying jb-weld. (two-part white/black ) epoxy. I like the popsicle sticks. One of the most-used tools in my shop!

Jim

Reply | Quote

You could try contact cement. Keep in mind, though, that the integrity of the PCB is now compromised with the break. Unless you can figure out a way to brace it, there will always be a weak point in it that is prone to breaking. As for braces…popsicle sticks work wonders!

Reply | Quote

Jim,
————————————–
and it’s nowhere near any of the traces
————————————-
If none of the trace lines are broken, you goal should just be to reinforce the area as best as you can. What ever way you decide just make sure you aren’t using a CONDUCTIVE material to repair the board.

Another thing: If the force was enough to break the board itself, you should VERY carefully inspect the surrounding area for “hairline” cracks.
These can be be very hard to spot and it’s better to use a magnifying glass to look for suspect cracks that can sometimes break a conductive foil enough to cause an open circuit or a nasty intermittent problem.

Reply | Quote

Jim,
————————————–
and it’s nowhere near any of the traces
————————————-
If none of the trace lines are broken, you goal should just be to reinforce the area as best as you can. What ever way you decide just make sure you aren’t using a CONDUCTIVE material to repair the board.

Another thing: If the force was enough to break the board itself, you should VERY carefully inspect the surrounding area for “hairline” cracks.
These can be be very hard to spot and it’s better to use a magnifying glass to look for suspect cracks that can sometimes break a conductive foil enough to cause an open circuit or a nasty intermittent problem.

Reply | Quote