On Wed, Jul 10, 2024 at 5:39?AM Steve Hull via <shull2805=[email protected]> wrote:
I recommend a desoldering gun with built-in vacuum pump, adjustable temperature control, and replaceable tips of various diameters, such as the Hakko FR-301.? Several other manufacturers offer similar products.? I have a hand tremor that makes it very difficult to hold a soldering iron, especially when components are spaced close together.?? I had just about given up assembling kits because I spent so much time fixing my own mistakes.? Then a friend told me about his Hakko and I found out that once a year the factory has a 50% off sale, and it just happened to be the next day.? I figured I could try it, and if it didn't work out, I should be able to recoup most of my money on eBay, so I bought one.? It's so nice that I kept it.? Highly recommend it!
On Tue, Jul 9, 2024, 11:26 Donald S Brant Jr via <dsbrantjr=[email protected]> wrote:
On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 11:03 AM, Eike Lantzsch wrote:
The low-tech toothpick method is far safer.
A suitably-sized sewing needle works well also and will not damage the board.? The via "barrels" which connect the board layers are very thin and fragile electroplated copper so I keep drills and abrasives away from them. One tactic to deal with a hole which has had most of the solder removed but there is a stubborn residue, is to add MORE solder to fill the hole, and start over. 73, Don N2VGU
