[Elecraft] K2 A to B mods parts removal - solder popper

[Richard Stasiak]

I just finished up the A to B mods and thermistor upgrade. =20

I held off doing these for a long time because of the parts removal =
issues.  I only had a large blue solder sucker in my bag of tricks.  I =
knew that I would have trouble heating a joint with a soldering iron and =
getting the solder sucker in close enough to get all the solder out. I =
also did not have confidence that I could do the solder wick procedure =
and not end up damaging pads or traces.

The Hakko unit sounded like a good tool, but the cost of the unit after =
conversion to Canadian dollars put me off.

Well to get to my point.  A few weeks ago I got some advice from fellow =
Elecrafters on the GC Solder Popper.  I picked up one of these babies =
from Jameco (# 19254) for $26.95 US.  I have nothing but rave reviews on =
this item.  It worked like a charm.  No problems removing parts at all.  =
I didn't even cut any parts in half to get them out one lead at a time.  =
 And not one lifted pad or wrecked traces.  Talk about a confidence =
boost.  At the end of the process I even threw in the R99 power =
stability mod in as a bonus.  I guess the old adage about having the =
right tools to do a job is still true.=20

I'm now ready for any mods that you may want to throw my way.

BTW I'd like to thank the fellows personally for the great advice about =
the solder popper, but I've inadvertantly deleted their emails, so I'll =
do it here.  Thanks guys!!!!

I'd also like to thank the Elecrafters who unselfishly share their =
technical expertise in regards to mods and other issues.  You sure have =
increased my knowledge base and made it fun to have a K2.

73 to all
Rick ve3mm=20
K2 #1591
 

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