desoldering iron

[starfury1]

Re: desoldering iron

if I get a splitter from an MB I'll just know who has been there before me

[i4004]

Re: desoldering iron

here's the brand i used
http://www.sismaspa.com/eng/tipologi...v1=3&IdLiv2=13

i'm quite positive not any old pick will do; some are probably too rough, too thick.
these fit the mobo holes and withstand heat quite well(well for a thin piece of wood, that is).
i mean if i did 15 holes with 2 sides of one pick.

[i4004]

Re: desoldering iron

if I get a splitter from an MB I'll just know who has been there before me

i used this particular piece too much and carbonized tip was left in the hole at one point.
but it was pretty easy to remove with a good tip.
offcourse, if you were to use one tip for 5 holes i see no danger of that.
and i don't see it as a danger because it's easy to clean.
it pushes thru real easy. so sticking is nowhere near as dramatic as with steel needle which can be hard to move when it's stuck in the hole.

if i knew this, i would of use this method over stell needle(last time i was doing it) in a heartbeat.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: desoldering iron

You need a STAINLESS steel needle.
This may be your problem with then.
Some are just nickel or chrome plated and those don't work as well.

[Bookworm]

Re: desoldering iron

My picks are stainless steel.

The solder in most pcb boards is (almost) flux less. They can afford to use exceedingly high temperature solder on the boards, because they're dipped into liquid solder for a fixed period of time, then withdrawn.

Didn't know that Hakko was okay. Maybe I'll look at it.

Mechanical desoldering tool - the only 'trick' to it is to have a good seal on the opposite side of the board from the iron, and as _soon_ as you've pulled the solder out, pump it back down again over a trashcan or similar. (once you've latched the spring, rattle the pump a bit to shake anything loose) If you've done a few holes, then you'll need to rap it a bit (open), and then depress and release over the can a few times.

Before you put it away, unscrew the cover, take out the spring, and rap out all the solder that may be stuck to the metal. That reduces backscatter tremendously

[starfury1]

Re: desoldering iron

only joking I4004 but thanks for the info on the picks

stainless it must be and when I desolder I add a smidgen of solder and depending extra flux (talking lead stuff here for me)

"backscatter " I like that word

"Didn't know that Hakko was okay."

I haven't used one but that seems to be the opinion
The Hakko 701 desolder station is $1000 AU PLUS the knockoff is like $ 200~300 AU

so either they are making crap and getting good sales or it must have some measure of quality HAKKO that is

they are not the only player in the game thought...many others...but spending a bit of money for the right gear is worth it I think in the long run, if you are intending to do it on a fairly regular basis.
really got to look into RoHs.

cheers

[borgsm1]

Re: desoldering iron

Where could I get that guide for a desoldering pump that is foot activated? The one pcbonez was referring to.
I was thinking of making one using this vacuum cleaner
I was just thinking of a way not to let the solder be sucked into the vacuum pump. I am just looking for guides mostly on how that contraption should work. I have been looking for it at instructables but I found no similar project.

Thanks

[PCBONEZ]

Re: desoldering iron

borgsm1

There's no formalized guide.
The one with the fridge motor is used by some people that do fiberglass lamination work for custom built airplane parts and such.

Using a vacuum:

You just need a foot switch like from a sewing machine.
Alternately check industrial supply places.
They have them that you can simply plug vac's cord into so you won't even have to rewire it.

-
Then I'd say either:
Adapt the hose to fit a short piece of PCV pipe with screw caps on one or both ends.
(Gives you a place to connect fittings.)
Run a high temp (automotive engine compartment type) tube from the pipe up to the solder iron. - Tube needs to be non-collapsible and not melt too easy.
Put a valve on the piece of pipe to adjust suction so you don't suck the tube shut or overheat the vacuum. (Or experiment with various numbers of 1/2" holes.)

.
or:
Find one of those 'computer vacuum' adapter kits that connects to the vacuum hose and and necks it down to a crevice tool for keyboards.
Clip the hose and adapt it to the iron.


.

[borgsm1]

Re: desoldering iron

thanks for the help I was thinking something similar to the ordinary vacuum to wet vacuum project at instructables. but I am thinking it would not be good because the vacuum is probably weak (because it is cheap)

[borgsm1]

Re: desoldering iron

...with a glass jar for a solder catcher/filter and connect the tube to where the bulb is.

I am thinking this is something similar to the vacuum to wet vacuum project.

Could you please elaborate on this concept. I have an idea to connect the vacuum on the cap of a bottle then another hole for a tube connected to the end of a mechanical desoldering pump. and to prevent the solder in entering the vacuum the hole for the vacuum should be higher and far away from the tube connected to the tube sucking the solder. Or I could just have the tube enter the jar half way and the vacuum connection just be on top. Or just put a divider of significant size to stop it from entering the vacuum pump.

I'm such a slow poke I exceeded the editing time limit

P.S.
had another idea.
if i put the tube long enough to reach the bottom of the jar and put water just to cover the tube but not enough for it to enter the vacuum pump. that would stop the solder from coming into the vacuum.

[Bookworm]

Re: desoldering iron

If you simply have a jar with two rubber stoppers, each with a tube, you're probably fine - especially if you have a filter.

You don't want _molten_ solder hitting anything that's vaguely flammable or meltable.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: desoldering iron

Pardon my quick drawing. Best way to explain.

You don't really want a strong vacuum cleaner.
You are reducing it to like a 1/8" hole at the tip.

If the suction it too much use a T fitting in the PVC and add a valve there to 'leak' air in. That will reduce the vacuum in the jar and make vacuum pressure somewhat adjustable.

Won't need a filter.
As the only air going into the jar is through the small tip hole there won't be enough FLOW (despite the fact it's at a vacuum) to carry the solder.
It will drop to the bottom of the jar.

Lid lets you clean it out now and then too.

Could also use an old coffee can or something if you can find a lid that won't suck into it. Going that route you can put the fittings in the side and you won't have to deal with hoses and tubes to clean it out.

.

[borgsm1]

Re: desoldering iron

thank you it's a great visual I think I could make something like that. Thank you very much I would post it after I'm done with the project, maybe in a month I would be able to take care of that.