JBC PA120-A tweezers  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 09:06:45 am
content: HeyDoes anyone have experience with the PA120-A tweezer? I'm trying to find out the maximum clearance between the cartridges while the tweezers are open, which doesn't seem to be listed in the manuals from what I can see. I'm concerned with the clearance being too small for the work I'll be performing, based on the available cartridges it seems like it will be the correct tool but I want to be sure before I buy one.Thanks!

author: jahonen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 09:27:52 am
content: Tips seem to be about 7 millimeters apart when opened, but that might depend somewhat how you position the cartridges and what cartridges are in use.Regards,Janne

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 10:02:19 am
content: Awesome, thanks a bunch!

author: electronic_eel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 12:07:39 pm
content: What kind of package do you plan to desolder?They work very well for changing small smd resistors and capacitors, I use them to tweak values during development.I also have the blade-type cartridges (C120-007 / -008) and they are good for SSOP-8, SOT23-6 and the like. But unless you change a lot of these parts, it is not worth to change the cartridges, hot air is faster for changing just one part.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2014, 09:29:12 pm
content: Mainly gull-wing leaded tactile switches, and occasionally 1210 down to 0603 components. The C120009/C120010 should fit the switches given the above information, I'm checking today at work.For reference, I have been using hot air when reworking an entire board (23 switches), but I am in a situation now where previously reworked boards are being returned after ~6 months and having to rework them again. The difference is in most cases not all switches need to be replaced and so I don't want to use hot air and risk applying too much heat to adjacent switches, since they are quite close together. My solution has been to cut the leads individually and remove the leads using an iron, vacuum desolder to clean the pads, tin and tack the new switch, then hand solder the remaining joints. I'm hoping tweezers will speed up the process significantly and be handy for other jobs.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 01:20:54 am
content: In my experience the small tweezer-tips are prone to burning up real quick. I'd get the biggest tips which still fit between the switches.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 01:28:21 am
content: C120009/120010 are the largest tips available, so hopefully I wont run into issues

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 02:09:07 am
content: I have all 3 tweezer handles - tiny, medium,large. With the large ones I can fit standard blade tips to 20+mm long.The ONLY downside of larger tips is 3D alignment !! It's a bugger to keep both halves perfectly parrallel, then alignedto the device AND the PCB. You can solve the 3rd issue by applying flux paste (which you should always do anyway).I've even made custom "add-ons" that I bonded to a large tip set. IF you HAVE to save the parts you want out, orthey're expensive, sacrificing a set of tips is well worth while.