[ARC5] Clearing solder from sockets and pins

Fri Sep 17 02:38:50 EDT 2010

My Webster Pocket Dictionary has it as "pliers."
What do they look like in Nebraska?

73   Henry, OZ1UF Cph. /ex K2UOC Bklyn.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <k0ng at windstream.net>
To: "Discussion of AN/ARC-5 military radio equipment." 
<arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 3:02 AM
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Clearing solder from sockets and pins

>
>>>>>>> Hello Les: I agree completely with your de-soldering process. Only 
>>>>>>> "over
> here" (up here??) I believe we spell it "pliars". (but then I am a hill 
> billy, HI)
>
> 73,  DE Charlie, K0NG EN10 Nebraska   ..
>
> ---- Leslie Smith <vk2bcu at operamail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hello Ian:
>>
>> I have one or two command sets (ARC-5 or ARA) where the rear panel socket 
>> has been filled with solder.  You asked about removing the solder to 
>> restore the socket.
>>
>> I use a 60 watt good quality iron, solder wick (de-soldering braid) and a 
>> needle nose plier.  (I may use pliers - I don't know the correct form for 
>> this noun.  Perhaps each arm of the device I use is one plier, and 
>> together I have a pair of pliers.  I digress ...)  Also a tiny quantity 
>> of solder (resin core - of course).
>>
>>
>> I set the temperature of the iron to 350 to 360 degrees C. (Best science 
>> & metric units in use bere!)
>>
>> I use braid and solder to wet the solder in the socket.  I get enought 
>> heat into the solder inside the socket to melt it.  Althought a higher 
>> temperature means more heat, it reduces the overall time for the process 
>> : so more heat, but a shorter time.
>>
>> Next I use the pliers to feed the braid into the socket.  This draws a 
>> good part of the now-melted solder into the braid.  Removing the braid 
>> leaves a partly clear socket hole.
>>
>> I repeat this a number of times (taking care to keep the socket hot, but 
>> not over-heated).  Then, at the end, I feed in enough fresh braid to fill 
>> the socket.  I twist it with the pliers before removing it, quite 
>> quickly.  This last action tends to wipe the inside of the socket clean.
>>
>> Sometime soon I plan to fit a 2.50mm drill to a tapping handle to clear 
>> the last bit of solder.  The socket is 1/10 inch, or 2.54 mm, so I should 
>> have 4 thou (or mils) clearance.  I haven't done this yet.  I wouldn't 
>> use an electric drill to spin the drill bit - I think that process may 
>> "rip" the socket.
>>
>> I read once about a technique to clear sockets by melting the solder and 
>> using compressed air to blow away the molten solder.  This is a certain 
>> way to blind one-self - even using glasses or a mask.  If the blinding 
>> doesn't happen at first, it will soon enough.  Old hands will not need 
>> such advice.  I trust young hands NEVER do this.  Blindness aside, this 
>> technique spreads molten solder everywhere, including under the chassis 
>> and amongst the wiring of the not-so-soon to be repaired set.  NO! NOT! 
>> NEVER! DON'T.
>>
>> I use de-soldering braid to remove unwanted solder from the 3 upright 
>> genemotor pins.  With the help of a friend, apply heat to the pin, wire 
>> and offending solder.  Remove the wire to leave a pin with a blob of 
>> solder on it.  Then take a strip of braid and get it hot enough to melt 
>> solder.  While hot pull the strip to and fro around the pin.  The braid 
>> will absorb the solder, leaving a relatively clean pin.  If possible, 
>> avoid filing the pin, as this removes the protective plating material on 
>> the pin.
>>
>> Describing this is rather like explaining how to tie a shoelace.
>> It's easier to do than explain!
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>> Let me know how you get on!
>>
>> Les
>> ex VK2BCU
>> VK2BCU "at" OperaMail dot com
>>
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: Ian Wilson <ianmwilson73 at gmail.com>
>> > To: "Discussion of AN/ARC-5 military radio equipment." 
>> > <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
>> > Subject: Re: [ARC5] (1) Hacking Sets (2) Saving Sets
>> > Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:48:58 -0700
>> >
>> >
>> > Hi Les,
>> >
>> > Thank you for a thoughtful post.
>> >
>> > Could you share your technique for removing solder from the rear
>> > connector (if it was in the original post, I apologize; didn't see it).
>> >
>> > 73, ian K3IMW
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>>
>>
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