Help! Small solder joints.

[ajcox1234]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

Looking on the Radioshack site, I found a nice desoldering iron. I've decided to buy one of those on Friday, with some 60/40 Rosin Core solder to desolder the old Ltec's and solder in the new Rubycon MBZ's.

[ajcox1234]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

Thanks. I'll get some 60/40 to make the joints bigger, then use the wick to remove the rest of the solder and remove the bulging Ltec's.

[mockingbird]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

I'm not able to clear holes with a sewing needle. It just gets stuck in there.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

Can I use my 100w Weller or should I use my 45w Radioshack iron with a chisel tip?

I would use the latter. Add some 60/40 solder to joints. Then heat up the same joints while pulling/rocking on the cap from the other side.

Once the cap is loose, heat up a stainless steel sewing needle from the backside and push until it clears the hole. I just switched to this method from a solder sucker and it is way easier.

[mockingbird]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

I try to wick the pads on these boards, so I know how you feel. 3/4 of the time, it won't completely wick, especially if the pad is near something that absorbs a lot of heat, like a copper coil or a grounding plane.

What you will have to end up doing is trying to coax the cap in while holding the iron to the pad. Be careful not to rip up the pad. If you do, you may as well toss out the board unless the lead has attached to the via (I think you can test this with a multimeter).

Can I use my 100w Weller or should I use my 45w Radioshack iron with a chisel tip?

Of course use the 100w.. It's not wicking with the 100w!? I thought the reason it wouldn't wick for me was because I use a 25w.

[ajcox1234]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

Can I use my 100w Weller or should I use my 45w Radioshack iron with a chisel tip?

[retiredcaps]

Re: Help! Small solder joints.

What else can I use to desolder the bad capacitors?

Add some 60/40 solder to the joint first.

[ajcox1234]

I have an ASUS motherboard with 2 bad capacitors, I have replacements but the joints are very small, my desoldering braid won't remove the solder. What else can I use to desolder the bad capacitors?