MOTM

In a message dated 4/22/2001 4:11:00 PM, bruce@... writes:

>I have managed to get one of them unsoldered after about an hours 
>worth of work. I have a good solder sucker, but it seems minute 
>amounts of solder are still hanging around causing the chip to adhere 
>to the board.
>
>Anyone have and good suggestions on how to get the little buggers off?

If you have one of those sucker bulbs that one is to use in conjunction with 
a soldering iron, you are wasting your time -- it will never work (why do you 
think they call them "suckers")!

I got one of those "deluxe" Radio Shack Desoldering Irons (a bulb and iron in 
the same unit), I think it cost me about $8.00. I have had a good bit of 
success with this tool, and real desoldering stations cost real money.

The bad news is that the through plated holes are really good at allowing the 
solder to pass from one side of the board to the other -- making it a bear to 
desolder. Take your time with those SSM ICs since they will be hard to get if 
you screw one up. I'd suggest doing one or two pins per IC, then walk away 
for a few minutes.

Good luck!
JB