I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

This item is basically a conductive type "paint" where you can repair
circuit traces and such. I have to make some new traces on a mylar type
material, so I can't use jumper wires or soldering. I thought Radio Shack
sold them in the past, but could find no references to it on their web site.

I have looked on Mouser, who does have the item, but costs about $16 + S/H.
I need enough for about one use. Anyone got a new or good used one that they
could send me cheap? I just hate to pay more for the repair tool than the
item I am repairing is worth. I'm also open to other ideas (hobby paint
containing nickel perhaps)?

Thanks,
-Commander Dave

Try using 26-30 guage wire and spot glue it to the mylar using "Super
Glue" or equivalent.

Eric N7DLV

"Commander Dave" wrote in message .. .
I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

This item is basically a conductive type "paint" where you can repair
circuit traces and such. I have to make some new traces on a mylar type
material, so I can't use jumper wires or soldering. I thought Radio Shack
sold them in the past, but could find no references to it on their web site.

I have looked on Mouser, who does have the item, but costs about $16 + S/H.
I need enough for about one use. Anyone got a new or good used one that they
could send me cheap? I just hate to pay more for the repair tool than the
item I am repairing is worth. I'm also open to other ideas (hobby paint
containing nickel perhaps)?

Thanks,
-Commander Dave

Commander Dave wrote:

I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

This item is basically a conductive type "paint" where you can repair
circuit traces and such. I have to make some new traces on a mylar type
material, so I can't use jumper wires or soldering. I thought Radio Shack
sold them in the past, but could find no references to it on their web site.

I have looked on Mouser, who does have the item, but costs about $16 + S/H.
I need enough for about one use. Anyone got a new or good used one that they
could send me cheap? I just hate to pay more for the repair tool than the
item I am repairing is worth. I'm also open to other ideas (hobby paint
containing nickel perhaps)?

Thanks,
-Commander Dave

LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in
automotive rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with
a toothpick for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any
autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey

Bill Jeffrey wrote:

Commander Dave wrote:

I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

This item is basically a conductive type "paint" where you can repair
circuit traces and such. I have to make some new traces on a mylar
type material, so I can't use jumper wires or soldering. I thought
Radio Shack sold them in the past, but could find no references to it
on their web site.

I have looked on Mouser, who does have the item, but costs about $16 +
S/H. I need enough for about one use. Anyone got a new or good used
one that they could send me cheap? I just hate to pay more for the
repair tool than the item I am repairing is worth. I'm also open to
other ideas (hobby paint containing nickel perhaps)?

Thanks,
-Commander Dave


LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in
automotive rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with
a toothpick for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any
autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey
----------------------------------
Dave -

The "Circuit Writer Conductive Pen" is on page 133 of the current Radio
Shack paper catalog. It is item #64-4339. This catalog is called
"2004-2005 Reference Guide", so I guess it is not a real retail catalog.
At any rate, no prices are given anywhere in this catalog - you have
to call or visit the store.

My experience - and my local RS guy agrees - that the web site is almost
useless because the index and Search functions are so poor. Same with
the paper catalog - this item doesn't appear anywhere in the index. I
found it by manually searching.

Bill Jeffrey

"Bill Jeffrey" wrote in message
. ..
Bill Jeffrey wrote:

Commander Dave wrote:

I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a
leg.

This item is basically a conductive type "paint" where you can repair
circuit traces and such. I have to make some new traces on a mylar
type material, so I can't use jumper wires or soldering. I thought
Radio Shack sold them in the past, but could find no references to it
on their web site.

I have looked on Mouser, who does have the item, but costs about $16 +
S/H. I need enough for about one use. Anyone got a new or good used
one that they could send me cheap? I just hate to pay more for the
repair tool than the item I am repairing is worth. I'm also open to
other ideas (hobby paint containing nickel perhaps)?

Thanks,
-Commander Dave


LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in
automotive rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with
a toothpick for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any
autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey
----------------------------------
Dave -

The "Circuit Writer Conductive Pen" is on page 133 of the current Radio
Shack paper catalog. It is item #64-4339. This catalog is called
"2004-2005 Reference Guide", so I guess it is not a real retail catalog.
At any rate, no prices are given anywhere in this catalog - you have
to call or visit the store.

My experience - and my local RS guy agrees - that the web site is almost
useless because the index and Search functions are so poor. Same with
the paper catalog - this item doesn't appear anywhere in the index. I
found it by manually searching.

Bill Jeffrey


It will cost you $13.00, your local store will have to order it. It's in the
radioshack on-line catalog, enter 64-4339 in the search box.

Jim


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I'll check the LokTite option to see if it is cheaper than the Radio Shack
conductive pen. Since I only need to use it once, I'm looking for low cost
when possible... and not having to order it would be a plus.

Thanks for all the replies everyone! They sure helped me out!

-Commander Dave

"Bill Jeffrey" wrote:
Commander Dave wrote:

I am looking for a "Conductive Pen" that won't cost me an arm and a leg.
==snip==
LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in automotive
rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with a toothpick
for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey

Just for the Google record...

I couldn't find anything worth getting at the auto repair stores. The kit I
found that lets you to repair window defogger grids looks complicated, has
several chemicals and really was only about $4.00 less than the
CircuitWriter Pen from Radio Shack. I decided to go with the right tool for
the job and put in the order at the RS store. Final cost including tax was
about $14.03 (in Madison, AL).
Oh, and I also discovered that Loktite is actually spelled Loctite. :-P

Cheers!
-Commander Dave

"Commander Dave" wrote:

I'll check the LokTite option to see if it is cheaper than the Radio Shack
conductive pen. ==snip==
"Bill Jeffrey" wrote:
==snip==
LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in automotive
rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with a toothpick
for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:39:44 -0500, "Commander Dave"
wrote:

Just for the Google record...

I couldn't find anything worth getting at the auto repair stores. The kit I
found that lets you to repair window defogger grids looks complicated, has
several chemicals and really was only about $4.00 less than the
CircuitWriter Pen from Radio Shack. I decided to go with the right tool for
the job and put in the order at the RS store. Final cost including tax was
about $14.03 (in Madison, AL).
Oh, and I also discovered that Loktite is actually spelled Loctite. :-P

Cheers!
-Commander Dave

"Commander Dave" wrote:

I'll check the LokTite option to see if it is cheaper than the Radio Shack
conductive pen. ==snip==
"Bill Jeffrey" wrote:
==snip==
LokTite makes a sticky "goop" that is used to bridge breaks in automotive
rear-window defroster tapes. You might need to apply it with a toothpick
for fine lines. Don't know the cost - check in any autosupply store.

Bill Jeffrey


I'm not sure either product will withstand flexing. I'd do the wire
wrap suggestion, myself.