new to this

[rollingbitbox]

ok so im new to circuit bending although i am not new to electronics i know basics.  i am very handy with the soldering iron and stuff.  but i don't really understand all of it.  i get the basic.  i just don't understand the part where you test for the vulnerability.  that part keeps me perplexed.  so you have to take an eyeglass screwdriver and poke around on the circuit board.  are there any special parts you are supposed to poke?

also i am trying to get money from my parents to buy Reed Ghazala's book.  so until then im just going to have to read on the internet.  do i need aligator clips with wires inbetween them or do i want them to make the experiment easier?

[mrsteve81]

You don't need the alligator clips but it will make finding bend points about 163.5% easier simply because you wont have to concentrate on keeping 1 of your hands in the same place whilst moving the other around the board.
The most important tip I can give is never ever plug into the wall sockets with your creations. It might kill you.
Also don't bend anything you don't mind killing. Especially until you know what you're doing a bit.

[Circuitbenders]

http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/tips.html

[computer at sea]

When you're just starting out think about working for awhile on thrift store toys that you wouldn't be too upset about breaking- early on you're bound to fry some stuff.  Speaking from experience, it is very disheartening to ruin a '78 Speak 'n Spell or an SK-1.  Before you purchase anything on eBay to bend, do some Vtech toys. I highly recommend the Talking Whiz Kid series.  They aren't  to hard to find, and the bends are way more interesting than most of the Speaks.