Im new to modding and I bought a GBA SP and a DMG and i was interested in putting the gba in the dmg case. If you guys could help me on what to buy other than the two handhelds that would be great.

Thank you for reading

Here is what i am wanting to do
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/original-game-boy-gets-the-advance-treatment-courtesy-of-retro-l/

Probably not the best mod to try if you are new to modding. Here's a mod better suited for beginners: http://mikejmoffitt.com/wp/?p=70

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Pʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ

The up side to front lighting a GBC.
vary limited skills are needed.
if all goes well it will take less then a few hours to do,
you get to say "hey, look what I did" and get a pat on the back by God, invisible door's will open up, and you'll suddenly have the confidence to be able to do anything.
and if you don't play GBC games, then you have a really nice paper wight.
you risk having to kill the GBC screen, and having to get another, and another, and another.

The up side to using the GBA SP in a DMG case,
you leave the entire screen / frontlight intact,
you will acquire some useful moding skills, like
button relocation, adding the L & R buttons,
with a little case work, you should be able to get good placement on the cart slot.
but relocating the cart slot would let you use it anywhere you want and give it more of the original look.
and your using the whole SP, that lets you play a lot more games.
might take you a wile, day's even, heck if its your first mod and you want it to look good, week's.
you get to say "hey, look what I did" and if it looks great, people might nod there heads and smile,

I'm not trying to talk anyone into or out of anything. I just don't see the point in having every remaining GBC destroyed over the next few years for starter projects that people don't use.
save the Frontlitghing GBC for people who want them.

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It's more about how clever you are to make something work, rather than how well you follow instructions.

Well even though I say I am new to modding I catch on quickly and have already done some small mods. I was just wanting a place to start with this one.

1. What wattage soldering iron 15 or 30?
2. What other specific tools might be needed for this job?
3. Whats the best way to cut the case?

I can't think of any other questions at the moment but once i receive the systems I am sure there will be some.

Thank you for all the help.

1, 15 amp is good for putting small stuff together like your doing, 30 amp or higher is good for larger projects and taking stuff apart. I use a fine tip 15amp on the PCB, and a adjustable 20 to 50 amp on the rest.

2, Drimel Tool, (or other small rotary tool) with a assortment of bits, cut off wheels, sanding drums. can food. small file's, a assortment of small screwdrivers. helping hands. can opener. magnifying glass. de-soldering tool or pump. hot glue gun.

3, check out the links in the various "Mega Sticky" in each related forum
(example) The General Modding Skills Mega-Sticky viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1195
3b, check out the various "Finished Projects" you might find a lot of tips and tricks that will help you more then any 1 straight answer otherwise.

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It's more about how clever you are to make something work, rather than how well you follow instructions.

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check out the different sticky threads any other specific questions I will have will have to wait till I am diving into it. One other idea i had was modding the gba sp to be one solid unit without a hinge to make it have an appearance of a old gameboy. I was wondering what you thought of that.

unless it has a broken hinge, and you was looking for a quick fix. or your was going to do some sort of fancy case mod / paint job, I would just leave it normal. but thats just me. I carry a SP at times, but perefer the feel of the standurd GBA and DMG over the SP and GBC.

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It's more about how clever you are to make something work, rather than how well you follow instructions.

The thing that I am stumped on is that in the picture it seems he cut a larger hole for the sp screen, but how did he cut it so perfectly with a dremel.

practice on some scrap, rough cut, leave room to file and sand, to where and how you want it.

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It's more about how clever you are to make something work, rather than how well you follow instructions.

Here is another link of someone doing the GBA SP in the GB DMG

http://www.made-by-bacteria.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=145