Is it Still Possible to Make Money Repairing Electronics?

Electronic repair was once a lucrative, high paying profession. The advancements of integrated electronics, surface mounted components and multi-layered circuit boards combined with low cost production has changed the direction of electronic repair.

It is quite an expensive venture to setup an electronics shop, obtain the necessary education and hands on skill level to do electronic repair. The electronic shop owner must also be a wise business person to succeed in a tight economic market.

There are still some electronics in the consumer market that are worth repairing or attempting a repair. The following is a list of the more common devices that may be encountered.

Computers

Computers had their day in the sun for the electronic repair tech, but are becoming hard to make a living with, exclusively. Computer technicians have flooded the market with more technicians than there is work to do.

Big Screen TV's and Monitors

There are few repairs worth performing on the newer plasma and LCD displays. Once out of warranty, the price of what was paid for the display is worth less than some of the boards needed to repair it.

The good news is there are some discrete components in the power supply and that is where many problems occur. It is common for filter caps and other electrolytic caps to go out. This is an easy and inexpensive repair that can reap dollars for the shop.

Cell Phones

Keeping a large inventory of old cell phones can pay off for an electronics shop. The right part or working phone can be valuable to many who may have lost or broke their phone and need an inexpensive option compared to buying a new one.

Musical Instrument Amplifiers

Guitar and Bass Guitar amps are my favorite things to work on. Even the modern amps contain a lot of discrete components that are easily repaired. Some manufactures try to make it hard to obtain schematics or parts. With a little searching and networking it is possible to find someone that can help you find schematics or a place to buy parts.

Many musical instrument amplifier schematics can be found on the Internet. It is also possible to purchase a CD or DVD full of amp schematics. These compilations usually contain other circuit schematics for effect pedals, pre-amps, power amps, and other music related equipment.

Stereos

Stereos are complex and difficult to work on. Stereo repairs require the right test equipment, access to schematics and hard to find parts. It is still possible to make money on stereo repairs if repairs are limited to higher end units and a reliable source for parts is available. Access to a schematic is almost critical and can be hard to obtain.

Game Systems

Game systems (console and hand held) have certain known things that happen to them. There has been much written about it on the Internet. Many people attempt their own repairs and have become frustrated with the results. With experience and enough parted out systems there is money to be made here.

Vintage Electronics

Most tube devices are considered vintage. Some modern musical amps still contain tubes. Old radios such as AM, FM and Shortwave receivers and transmitters are interesting to work on and may bring in some cash when you repair, restore and sell them.

Note that it is extremely dangerous to attempt to work on electronic devices and equipment without the proper tools and knowledge. Gaining information off the Internet is not sufficient education in the electronics field to safely do electronics repairs.

Other Electronics

Anything that is electronic can be repaired. The question is whether it is worth repairing. It is common for small, flimsy wires to come loose, or stretch and break. Many devices have such wires and with a steady hand and variable temperature solder iron the repair is probably worth the effort depending on the value of the device.

Sources: Personal Experience