For years I've been removing resistor chips (often 1206) with one or two soldering pens. I just do experimentation. I estimate I do about 100 R and C chip changes per year. (I take too much interest in projects I don't know how to do. :P)
So I'm considering getting hot tweezers but not sure what to get. I spotted this on Ebay for around $60. Ebay item: 110741948225
What are you guys using for removing two terminal SMT parts? And does it get into tight spaces?
I use a fork tip soldering iron.
I made this one myself
ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/Fork_Tip.JPG
by Dremel'ing a notch into a wide Metcal tip.
It can hit both ends of a surface-mount resistor or cap and just slide it off its pads.
John
I use one of these on my solder station:
It is the cat's pajamas for removing and placing two terminal devices. It gets into tight spaces quite easily.
--Winston
A soldering iron and moving between the two legs quickly. So the tweezers look very appealing to me :-)
I have used these tweezers from JBC:
but the tips go bad very quickly. Also the automatic shutoff doesn't work very well (which adds to the tips getting bad). I pre
I'd prefer to buy something from Ersa. In my experience they have the best soldering tips.
-- Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply indicates you are not using the right tools... nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.) --------------------------------------------------------------
Cheaper on eBay (Item number: 250886024405)
--Winston
I keep thinking I'll make one like that, but never know what width to make the notch, since it'll be used on a variety of smd sizes. What do you suggest?
NT
D'you not find that it erodes quickly, now the that iron plating is compromised?
--
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence
over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
(Richard Feynman)
Hot air pencil and fine tweezers. Work of a moment.
I do SOT's the same way.
Your enemy is glue. Fortunately, I rarely encounter it.
Depends what you call "tight spaces".
--
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence
over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
(Richard Feynman)
I use it seldom, only for removing a part. A Metcal heats up in seconds, and you can swap tips in 10 seconds. If the notch erodes a little, it will be even better.
And I can always make another one, every 10 years maybe.
John
Copper tip erosion is exaggerated imho. When a cu tip gets pitted after a lot of use it only takes a minute to file it.
NT
Well, I can only speak from my own experience, but I've found that unsoldering only one end of a chip at a time can be a real PITA; but I've been in Asia and have learned how to use chopsticks, so I use the two-pencil method.
I'd only recommend hot tweezers if they're the kind that heat each tong individually, rather than trying to use resistance unsoldering. (see PITA above.)
Good Luck! Rich
Once youre sure all the solders molten at both ends, push the smd sideways, hardish if necessary.
NT
Hot air rework station. Yes, with the proper nozzle.
I do like hot tweezers, because they're really really fast--they have a set at one of my clients', and I like them a lot.
I've been looking at getting an MX-TALON tweezer set for my Metcal, but they want almost $400 for it with a holder and no tips, which is pure extortion.
So what's everyone's favourite hot air pencil?
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
-- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics 160 North State Road #203 Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 845-480-2058 hobbs at electrooptical dot net http://electrooptical.net
The Weller Portasol butane iron has a catalytic hot-air tip. Works great on small stuff. Tip is just the right size for SMT stuff.
+1 for sure.
However! Don't fuel it with 'drugstore' butane, it'll sputter. Use the good stuff like Ultratane.
--Winston
Sounds a bit too much like a blowtorch to me.
I have an electrically heated hot air pencil. Only about 1/4" diameter. Digital control and readout of air temperature up to 450 C. Control of air delivery from flea fart to gale force 8.
Removes anything from 0402 up to PQFP and J leg devices.
--
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence
over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
(Richard Feynman)
Define "ish"
Ok if the adhesion of any tracks under the device is better than the adhesion of the device to the glue.
A twisting action can be safer.
--
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence
over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
(Richard Feynman)
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