How can I uncover the solder Pads in a Monolith Flash cards?

[Matiw]

How can I uncover the solder Pads in a Monolith Flash cards ? The Memory is covered with somesort of material and no pad is visible even with X10 magnifying glass.

Please provide info.

Thanks

[HaQue]

I use 1200 grit wet and dry paper. I do it carefully and slowly. I do not use power tools such as Dremel, though some people do. I take my time and as soon as the coating gets thin I take it easier.. I don't work on rubbing away copper. It is easy enough, but you need to take your time and practice. Cheap 2GB SD cards a lot of times have the larger pads to practice on.

I use a stereo microscope to solder under. You can pick up one of those that will work just fine for under $200

some monoliths have traces that need to be soldered to that are less than .010mm

see the result here of one of the easiest to solder to:

http://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=27712

[Matiw]

Thank you HaQue. It is a great help.´

I use 1200 grit wet and dry paper. I do it carefully and slowly. I do not use power tools such as Dremel, though some people do. I take my time and as soon as the coating gets thin I take it easier.. I don't work on rubbing away copper. It is easy enough, but you need to take your time and practice. Cheap 2GB SD cards a lot of times have the larger pads to practice on.


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[Matiw]

Could some sort of Chemical be available that can just wash away the covering ?

[HaQue]

Possible but you would likely make more mess than it is worth and have goey crap on the pads you want to solder. The sandpaper is IMHO the easiest and safest way. you want to leave the monolith as intact as possible, the specs on these are very fine.

[pcimage]

Agree.

We use very fine sandpaper then use a Q-tip with acetone to clean the job up.

Patience is the key