If you want to scavenge components, the best way I've found is to use 150W or stronger infrared bulb about a centimeter over the board. In less than a minute, you can just start picking up or brushing off the components. You can get this bulb in a shop with stuff for animals (they are used for heating terrariums).
The good about this way is that you can cover parts that you don't want to remove or parts that would be destroyed by the heat like connectors by aluminium foil and they would be protected from the heating, since the infrared heats only dark stuff.
I've also used that for soldering QFN part once. There are professional IR soldering stations on the market that use the same principle, but have optics for focussing the IR light in them and also lamps with smaller emission cone.
It also works with regular 50W halogen bulbs, although you have to put the lamp much closer to the components, only few millimeter away from it.
Thanks,
Jan
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "rmu_scada_nw" <rmu_scada_nw@...> wrote:
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> Anyone wanting to scavenge surface mount parts (especially
> resistors and capacitors) might want to look into the Tenma
> brand tweezers. I purchased mine from MCM Electronics
> (www.mcmelectronics.com) and they have worked out fine for me.
> They are not very sturdy but should be OK for occasional use.
> You have to buy the different tips separately.
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> MCM part #21-8230, normally around $30.00 but sometimes
> on sale for about half that.
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> They also have some really pricey models ~$200.00 if you've
> got a money tree growing out back.
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