[Elecraft] Removing Crystals

[Lyle Johnson]

Hello Steve!

> I wonder what most are using to remove the old crystals? Most
> components you can cut out on the top and then use a solder
> pullit or solder wik (I prefer solder wik) unfortunately the
> crystals cannot be cut off, like a resistor or cap.

The most important thing is to preserve the PC board - so plan to sacrifice
the old crystal.

I have used solder wick for this. Just use the right temp on the iron (700
degrees F is fine, but NOT 800!).

Once you have the solder removed from the hole, clip the ground lead and see
if the crystal comes out.

If it does, proceed to the next one :-)

If it doesn't, heat one of the two pins and push the crystal away from the
heated pin.  Then repeat from the other side on the other pin, back and
forth, rocking the crystal until it comes free.

       +-----+  <-- push here
       |     |
       |     |
       |     |
       +-----+   Crystal
========|===|=== PCB
             \<---- heat here

If you keep the iron temperature low enough (and high enough!), and don't
apply heat too long, you'll preserve the board and the crystal will come out
easily.  If you use too much pressure and not enough heat, the lead may pull
out the plate-through in the PCB or lift a pad.  If you use too high a
temperature, you're likely to lift a pad.  Neither problem is unrepairable,
but both are avoidable.

73,

Lyle KK7P