IMSAI 8080 System
General Assembly Notes
The most important single item in assembly is the solder
ing iron. It is critical enough that a separate part of
this section is devoted to it. Other tools which are ab
solutely necessary to do an adequate assembly job are screw
drivers to fit the screws used in the kit (both straight
slot and phillips), a small pair of diagonal cutters (pre
ferably a 4" pair, flush-cutting), small needle-nosed pliers,
and a wire stripper. A 1/4" nut driver will make cabinet
assembly very much easier, as the sheet-metal screws used
are designed primarily to use a nut-driver. A voltmeter
should be available for testing. Any inexpensive meter (VOM)
with DC voltage scales between 5 and 30 volts should do.
Do not attempt to assemble the kit until you have the tools
necessary; damaged parts cannot be replaced under warranty.
SOLDERING
Almost every problem with an assembled kit is a soldering
problem. If you have never soldered before, or if you
have done some soldering but do not yet have facility in
making good soldering joints both quickly and every time,
practice before beginning assembly on the IMSAI 8080 boards.
Obtain some extra #20 hook-up wire and solder locally and
solder pieces together until you feel comfortably able to
quickly make a good joint. The importance of good solder
joints is just too great to convey adequately here; but
don't be scared off, because once you get the hang of it,
they're very easy to do.
Soldering Irons
There are a great many tools available with the name "solder
ing iron". Two thirds of these are not appropriate to small
electronics assembly and if used are almost certain to damage
both parts and boards. The problem with most of these are
that they are too big and too hot. Note that most every
soldering "gun" is in the too big, too hot class. Proper
soldering irons are easily available at any local hobbyist
electronics outlet, and they are not expensive. Use a 30-40
watt iron with a small tip, such as an Ungar 776 with a 7155
tip. If you wish to invest in a top-quality tool, a temper
ature-controlled tip model such as the Weller W-TCP with a
small 700°F tip is well worth the extra cost. Many irons
are available with either unplated copper tips or plated
tips. Though slightly more expensive, the plated tips
last very much longer and give superior service.
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