Thanks for the feedback. We ended up designing the jig through its versions so that it has the right fit and the curves are down to the 50 micron range- so it pretty much locks its self into place, that is why we are including it in the kit for the $50 or so. The flex cables, we are preparing by hand to make sure both sides of each one are ready for you to solder into your clients macbook pro :)

It sounds because it is. For someone looking to repair its own computer this price can’t be justified. Maybe a better idea would be to separate the target market between diy people who will use this once in a lifetime and for repair shops. For the first one, maybe open source it and collect donations and for the second one, cast those parts in some polymer that stands high temperature and is durable. The flex cable honestly doesn’t aggregate any value to it as the one doing the repair will need to strip at least the flex cable on the MacBook anyways. Also it is a nice idea and understandable that one would like to get compensated for it, however taking this selling point it won’t last long until the first person in China buys it, makes a copy, start some mass production and sell it for 1/10 of the price. Anyway it is indeed a time consuming process to get the measures right and I hope you can at lease get recompensares for your time :)

Hello @@jpcurti1, For someone looking to repair their own MacBook, I would recommend buying a new display assembly. For many years that is all we did as there was no good permanent solution to flexgate - (even the new screen has the chance to fail as its the same length flex). Many shops were running jumper wires, but we strongly disagreed with this method as mechanically, they would break after a few hundred opens and closes. Sadly, I did reach out to china a few years ago, to a few of the mfgs that make this kind of stuff - to pop the idea to them - and was ignored. The flex cables we are providing are the key to this kit. The jig is a helper to align them and make your work as a professional - consistent and professional. As mentioned a few times in various groups, the cable is prepared on BOTH sides to expose the copper. Not just the top. Soldering flex cables is not just as easy as - glob some solder on and hope it jumps across a gap to make a connection. The flex cables we include with the kit and separately, have the top layer removed - like you will need to do to the flex on the screen, but the back support material is also carefully removed, so that is is exposing the underside of the copper vias. This is so that you are soldering the via onto the via making that good electrical and mechanical connection that will last for years - instead of running little jumpers, or globbing solder on that will rub internally on the guides for the cabels. I understand how having flexgate as a consumer is super frustrating. We came up with a professional solution to offer other service technicians that would like to preform a flexgate repair consistently and professionaly - to be able to offer a warranty on it, and have the end result be 1. Cheaper than half the cost of a replacement screen. 2. Fixed correctly so that it will not come back as an issue. We also focused on you as a technician, being able to repair 3-6 flexgate screens an hour to double or triple your work capacity allowing for happier clients, longer lasting repairs and ofcorse, more income from the work you have preformed. If you ever see a link from china selling them, cheap but with quality (especially the prepared flex's). Please let me know. I would much rather buy them in bulk as a repair shop myself than make them 1 by 1. (This was why I initially did reach out to china - I just wanted to buy an end product instead of needing to design it all and make them)

@@JosephHughes Hi Joseph. Thanks for your reply. So what you are saying is that the flex cable provided by you is a custom made, double sided cable that is the same size as the original flexcable? Looked like it was just a flexgate replacement cut in half with the insulation (manually and carefully) removed. I still agree that you may have spent a lot of time and effort in this and believe that you should indeed profit on this, however @Martin is also right to state that in the end it is just a (very helpful) 3d printed part. Also if it is petg, pla or even ABS it won't stand the temperature of being close to a 500F soldering iron for much time (if it is indeed for repair shops). So for someone that is looking to repair its own laptop (and have a pretty decent notion on soldering), an alternative would be to solder both flex cables (old and new half cables) face to face and then just turn the cable to the other side. Of course it is a very delicate soldering, but if your design was done in some temperature resistant material and both cables were completely aligned, it would be way easier to do it using liquid solder and a hot air gun.

@@jpcurti1 I reached out to china to try and have them make a custom flex - but it was a nogo. This is the standard flex, but the "magic" is on the backside of the flex. Unfortunatly I did not show this in the video and really only mentioned this one time. A few fellow repair shops pointed that out. My bad on not showing what is special about how the flexs are prepared. The material is temperature resistant. It may become more brittle over time if you use hot air or cram a soldering iron onto it tying to destroy it. It doesn't really melt though. Matt Bone at UKSL MacLab has a technique that is what you are describing. Personally I don't like how the flex is bent 180deg back on its self, but from the conversations I have had with him, it seems to be holding up in the field. I haven't tried hot air on it yet though to see how it would join up. I try not to heat the flex cable excessively and it is cut somewhat close to the screen. I have a few dead screens I can play with though. I understand that it is quite a bit expensive, especially for someone that wants to DIY. Many shops have a micro-pencil now-a-days and I have found this kit works best at the 500-550F point and the thermal mass of a micropencil. That being said, my personal soldering station cost around $1200, and I do not expect many DIYers to have a very similar system with the types of controls this has. I do not know if I could design this or a kit to be reasonably done by a DIYer. I think that it would be a nice hope, but end up wasted money and an angry customer :(

I had some on my iron!

No wire.

Awesome! Were you able to come up with something that worked?

We have them listed for sale now on our page. They are a bit pricey as we make them in house per order, but they should pay for themselves once you use half the kit :)

Hello Anna! We have not seen this issue in the air models yet. After 2017 - Apple appears to have solved this issue by making the flex cable longer so that there is not the stress point that causes them to break like this.

@@JosephHughes thanks a lot for the info Joseph!

I have an late 2018 A1932 EMC3184 MacBook air that has this issue. Screen works when almost closed but when you open it you lose the screen. I purchased a cracked screen just to harvest the flex cable. Hopefully it can be fixed similar to this method.

@@austin22re thanks Austin!

Unfortunately I have not experimented with this. Generally if the data flex cable is damaged we recommend a replacement screen to our clients.

Nope.

Hey! I missed this comment when you posted it. You can get it at flexgatefix.com/

Hello Cesar, we now have them for sale officially at our store listed in the description

Hi, its in pre-release now and they are being made to order. It is called the Flexgate Fix kit. You can find more at www.flexgatefix.com

No, the EDP cable is from logic board to TCON board on the screen. This is for the backlight flex.

Hello Mike, If you follow the link, you can ask for a kit. We are making them to order at the moment. We recommend some type of magnifier as this is still a very delicate job to be done by someone experiences in micro soldering. If your Soldering iron is a few degrees too hot, it will also destroy the cables.

@@JosephHughes any tricks on finding identifying someone experienced in micro soldering? ?jeweler ?geeky teen ?IT guru at our kids school? Thanks so much for the video- really helped me to understand what our problem is.

@@Ticiakribbs There are not many lists I know of to help you find someone that is experienced in micro soldering. Normally - if they have the right tools like a stereoscopic microscope and a micro-pencil for soldering - it is because they realized that quality tools help them produce a high quality and consistent job. Normally it is a good sign that they have some experience in micro soldering. Jewelers might, but they don't normally work on electrical circuits and use higher temperatures and open flames. There are quite a few people whom offer mail in repair style solutions, it might be a good method for you if you are having issues finding someone locally.

Hey there! Glad you like it. You can visit the page at www.flexgatefix.com/

Hello Steven! We have not started to sell only the holder yet. We are looking into how to design a system that allows you as a user to make your own flex that would include the holder though :) We will post a video about it when we finish that up!

Hi Joseph can I buy holder with you first ? If yes please let me know how to buy it very useful! Thanks 🙏🏼

Hello Bastien. For this job we are running around 500F to 550F depending on how the flex and solder is responding. Anything much higher, it will start to melt or warp the flex cable.

Hello! This kit is designed for those with micro soldering skills and the proper tools on hand. Check out www.flexgatefix.com if you would like to purchase a kit.

Honestly I do mind sharing the STL files. I have worked through many revisions to get to where it is now, and am selling the end product. If you would like to buy a kit, feel free to submit an order request :)

Then he couldn't overcharge for it. No amount of revisions justifies this crazy pricing.

@@johnandrews9433 hi John! Thanks for the creative feedback. Make your own and give it away to the world, or buy a new screen with the same issue for $500+ :) Not that hard to do

@@JosephHughes Might have to do that. Or just sell it for $50 and not gouge everybody for a few hours work. Or buy screens at their wholesale price of $200. Shit even single units aren’t more than $300. Or pop the glass off and just replace the backlight. Lots of options instead of supporting somebody that clearly overvalues their work. $80 for a $5 cable you spent 15 minutes scraping the contacts/epoxy off? Lolol

@@johnandrews9433 I didn't know I deserved so little for my time. Panels at wholesale are around $200 each and the lowest quality for your buck. And you have to install the panel. Single units are around $450 for a good one plus installation and shipping -> Great store btw if you havn't herd of them is ( www.protechrestore.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=11_1077_1098_1099&product_id=1558 ). We don't just scrape some epoxy off the contacts. Read the other popular comments on this video for some more information. If you want the cheapest solutions, I recommend you look on aliexpress and make your own flex cables and jig. You should probably buy an Acer or some cromebook laptop next time also. Something more worth the money, right? Good luck on your life adventures

You most certainly may haha. I have switched to a better once since though. Issue at the moment is a computer that can have 4-5 camera inputs at any time with a higher quality :(

@@JosephHughes what kind of graphics card are you using. I'm assuming you're using a desktop?

Specs of the computer?

If he paid for a cleaning, we sure did! Whenever we see fans that clogged up we recommend a full cleaning and it is up to them :)

Imagine trying to solder at 550 degrees on just a plastic piece XD