Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Hi,

My advice-and this is gonna hurt-is to sacrifice the ICs to save the
PCB. I have repaired thousands of PCBs and the fact of the matter is
that the ICs are replaceable, but the PCB is not. Also by the time
you've removed the IC it's usually toasted from all the prolonged
heating, and you risk having the traces peel loose from the PCB from
heat exposure-if that happens you're toast. In addition, if you
manage to remove the IC without damaging the PCB, the only way to
know that the IC is OK is to resolder it into the circuit(correct
alignment this time;). If it turns out that the IC is damaged then
you're back to square one-and this time you WILL damage the PCB by
desoldering again.

I know it sucks but trust me when I tell that this is the best way:

1. Cut all the IC leads close to the body of the IC.

2. Remove legless IC body.

3. Lift each IC leg out with a pair of tweezers as you heat the
solder pad with a small-tipped solder iron. Sometimes it helps to re-
wet the pad by adding a small amount of fresh solder.

4. When all legs are removed use solder-wick, NOT SUCKER!, to remove
the solder from the through-holes. For MOTM PCBs the blue or green
size of MG chemicals solder wick is best. Cutting the wick at a sharp
angle helps to squeeze it into the through holes.

5. Buy new ICs, then send girlfriend/wife/kids to store with credit
card and try again.

Best of luck!

Richard.