Materials and Tools
To make the Xii-Boy Ultra build as simple as possible, we’ve organized the required materials and tools into an easily accessible list. Click the links to buy the required items. Amazon links are provided whenever possible, but note that cheaper prices may be avaiable at other retailers such as Aliexpress.
Soldering Tools
- Soldering Iron: Pinecil V2
- Soldering Iron (Alternative): Queco T12 956 soldering station
- Solder: Kester SN60PB40 0.031"
- Flux: Stirri V2-TF
- Flux (Alternative): Chip Quik SMD291
- Solder Braid: MG Chemicals Fine Braid Super Wick
- Hot Air Gun (Optional): Hot Air Gun
Why is it Optional?
A Hot Air Gun or Hot Air Rework Station is useful for heating large components or many components at once. However, it often takes longer than a Soldering Iron to transfer heat, and it risks melting or blowing parts around. On the Wii motherboard, a Hot Air Gun is the most practical way to remove the 1.8V LDO. Removal is also possible with a Dremel and Soldering Iron if done carefully.
Hand Tools
- Dremel: Dremel Tool
- Diamond Cutting Wheels: Diamond Cutting Wheels
Will Other Types of Wheels Work?
No! The default wheels are not sharp enough and will struggle to cut through the Wii motherboard. This makes it more likely to skip and unintentionally cut components or yourself. Wheels with teeth (like on a table saw) are more rare on dremels, but they are extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs as well.
- Pliers (Needle Nose and Diagonal Cutting): Pliers Set
- Fine Tipped Tweezers: Tweezers
- Screwdriver Set: Screwdriver Set
Tri-Point (Y0) Screwdriver Length
Ensure the Tri-Point (Y0) screwdriver has a long shaft to reach recessed screws in the Wii. The linked set has one with the correct sizing.
Safety Gear
- Painting Respirator and Safety Glasses: Safety Gear
- Fume Extractor: VEVOR 100W - Recommended
- Fume Extractor (Alternative): ZIOPETRU Tabletop - Budget
Electronics and Accessories
- Multimeter: Multimeter
- 24 AWG Wire Set: Wire Set
- MicroSD to USB Adapter: MicroSD Adapter
- Clear Tape: Scotch Magic Tape
- Cotton Swabs / Q-Tips: Cotton Swabs
Other / Sourcing
- Broken Wii (Ebay Link): For Parts or Repair Wii
What to Search For
Broken Wiis can be found for quite cheap, often in the $15-$20 range after shipping. When portabilizing, the disc drive is scrapped, so search for 4-layer Wiis with non-functional drives. Refer to Wii Preparation to confirm the Wii is 4-layers before purchasing.