My first LED sword build died in 20 minutes at Fan Expo Orlando

I spent like 3 weekends wiring up this polycarbonate blade with addressable LEDs, and the solder joints on my battery pack just gave out halfway through the Friday crowd at Fan Expo Orlando. Turned out I was using that cheap rosin core stuff from the hardware aisle instead of proper electronics solder, and the vibration from walking around snapped everything loose. Now I test every joint by giving the prop a good shake before I even pack it, and I keep a tiny $15 soldering iron in my con bag for quick fixes in the hotel room. Has anyone else had a prop die on them mid-con and had to do emergency repairs on the floor? What's your go to backup kit?

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blake8421mo ago

Oof, dying 20 minutes in has to sting after 3 weekends of work. I feel that pain, my first Mando helmet crapped out on me at a con and I spent an hour in a bathroom stall with tape and hope. Good call on the shake test though, I started doing that too after mine bit it. That little travel iron sounds like a lifesaver, I might have to steal that idea.

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