I just came across this and thought I'd share. I've struggled to get headers and IC's off boards after soldering them on backwards/upside down. This video shows a cool trick with a piece of copper wire that makes them very easy and quick to get off without expensive tooling. I was thoroughly impressed. Hope someone else finds this useful too.
7 Comments
lxpw@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 2y
I picked up a Hakko desoldering gun many years ago to save me from this. It was pricey (~$300), but has been worth it over the years.
naonintendois@programming.dev · 2 pts · 2y
This trick might be more useful for people who are budget constrained. In the past I've resorted to cutting the plastic between the headers (making them unusable), so this is a nice alternative without the need for another tool. If budget wasn't an issue I'd likely buy a much nicer iron and an extra wide knife-style tip.
Saigonauticon@voltage.vn · 1 pts · 2y
Haha, I've done that too. However sometimes it rips the pads off or otherwise damages the vias. So instead I cut them along the other axis (parallel to the PCB), then remove the remaining nibs.
These days I mostly use a hot air rework station though. In my city this is integrated with many soldering stations on the market, for maybe an extra 10$. I think mine is Yihua brand, it's quite OK.
Sir_Kevin@discuss.online · 1 pts · 2y
I was ready to shit on this but I could definetely see some uses when there are a lot of through hole pins. I'd be a little worried about keeping the heat distribution even though.
naonintendois@programming.dev · 1 pts · 2y
I thought it might be useful to move the iron back and forth a little for long rows. Wouldn't be perfectly even but would be better than concentrating heat in the center.
Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 2y
Well the copper should disperse the heat fairly quickly. It should be okay.
skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 2y
this only works well if you have good soldermask in place