Removing tiny chips? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:44:10 am
content: Can anyone suggest a way to remove thesehttp://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=744C083122JPvirtualkey67110000virtualkey774-744C083122JPfrom a circuit board with 1oz. copper without lifting the copper or damaging it? I need to replace them with a different value. I tried solderwick and flux from a flux pen, but that is not working so great.I need to remove about 20 of these little things and replace them with a different value.Any suggestions?Maybe I am using the wrong type of soldewick?http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-ft-2-0mm-Desoldering-Braid-Solder-Remover-Wick-CP-2015-/190814832699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6d73483bThat is the solderwick I have on hand.Thanks in advance for any help!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:48:24 am
content: Hot air rework gun and some tweezersAny solderwick from ebay is 99% likely to be shit and not wroth paying even $1 for. Get some Chemtronics wick, its 100 times better.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:48:39 am
content: Add lots of solder until it bridges the contacts and the part will come free - small chip components will generally stick to the iron at this point and you just wipe them off. Clean up the pads with solder wick.This video kind of shows the technique, though he uses a bit less solder and uses the iron itself to bridge.It is important that all the pads are heated or you risk lifting them. You can sometimes get away with jumping back and forth from side to side, but its easier just to bridge the whole thing for small components. Do not try to force the component to move - minimal pressure. If the solder isn't molten, you will damage the PCB if you apply pressure.You can remove small ICs this way too, I've even done a 28 pin SOIC. There are special solders made for removing stuff like large QFPs.One time I had to rework a bunch of LCD boards by replacing 6 tiny little SMD resistors - after a few hours I could remove the whole lot with one quick swipe of the iron. The blob of solder and resistors would follow the iron across the board like a katamari.

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:51:15 am
content: The first thought is heatgun. There are lots of videos on Youtube.The other thought is this:

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:51:34 am
content: With delicate pads make sure you only press with the wick and not drag.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:04:27 am
content: Hi,Use Chip Quik.Then remove the low melting point chip quik solder with solder-wick.This will not damage the board.Jay_Diddy_B

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:10:39 am
content: Quote from: Psi on February 26, 2014, 03:48:24 amAs PSI says, hot air rework station and it will be something once owned, you will never be without.And for simpler components a skew type tip for your iron like:http://www.ebay.com/itm/10x-Soldering-Solder-Iron-Tips-For-936-Station-900M-T-K-/130556501493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e65c61df5It can bridge across 2 pad components and melt solder on both pads, then wipe it off with iron or pick it off with tweezers...... too easy!

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:17:09 am
content: Blobbin it with solder, and grabbing with tweezers while i do it, worked. I then used the flux from the flux pen and smeared it on that cheap solder wick, and it all came up just fine. no damage. thanks for the idea of blobbin the solder on.Thanks Guys!

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:45:41 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on February 26, 2014, 03:48:24 amThe cheapest eBay wicks work fine if you just use flux

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 07:14:05 pm
content: For swapping out SMD resistors and caps nothing beats a soldering station with hot tweezers. Alternatively, use two irons to heat both sides and lift the component...

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 08:44:45 pm
content: +1 to blob the top with lots of solder and a broad tip. As long as youre using a temp regulated iron, you'll be fine.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 10:39:05 pm
content: Quote from: Dago on February 26, 2014, 03:45:41 pmsounds like cheating to me

author: EvilGeniusSkis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2014, 06:09:37 am
content: Quote from: Psi on February 26, 2014, 10:39:05 pmI just strip stranded core wire bare and twist it together with a drill, then run my flux pen along it 2-3 times.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2014, 08:17:04 am
content: A big flat iron tip and drown the buggers with solder. Move the blob back and forth over the networ and once they move, grab them with your tweezers and take as much solder away with your iron as you can. Either wick and place the new ones or use the excess solder and reflow with hot air. ( can use hot air to remove them too, the 'lots of tin method' is usually better for big components like those networks)