[ARC5] Clearing solder from sockets and pins

[Mike Hanz]

> 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 guess I'm just a newcomer, then... :-) This is a procedure I have to 
do fairly frequently, and with proper eye protection, I have not found 
the risk to be any higher than any other workshop hazard.  It is also 
the *only* procedure I have ever found that will restore the flexibility 
in the male banana plug pins used for the dynamotor and switch case 
assembly in the receivers.
.
There are some common sense rules that must be followed for consistent 
success.  Number one, you do it outside, not on the workbench.  Number 
two, you can mask off anything you do not want hit by solder with blue 
painter's masking tape.  Three, use a *good* set of safety glasses that 
protect the corners of the eye as well as face on.  This last item ought 
to be obvious for anyone who has a shop, but there are a lot of safety 
glasses that aren't total coverage out there.  I see no reason to change 
this approach any more than I am going to stop doing lathe or milling 
machine work because I occasionally get a sting of a hot chip somewhere 
on my body.  That's what eye protection was made for.   But, ya pays 
your money and ya takes your choice....

73,
Mike  KC4TOS