[Elecraft] PCB lifted pad/trace repair techniques?

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Rod:

>Occasionally I encounter a lifted pad/trace on equipment I'm working on. 
>I'm looking for a really good professional way to repair these faulty 
>connections.
>
>Traces are easy, "blue-line" wire to bridge the gap.
>
>But what about pads, especially on boards with plated through holes? Are 
>there "industry" standard techniques detailed and documented somewhere?

I'm about as far from 'professional' as one can get, but... when I find a 
plated-thru hole (PTH) which has been 'lifted' or otherwise damaged, I'll 
run a fine wire thru it (top to bottom), fold it over on both sides and 
solder it into place. Of course, if there's a component lead involved, the 
lead itself can usually be used to bridge the broken gap.

If the land or pad is completely lifted, I'll do like you described above, 
using a small-gauge tinned copper wire to bridge whatever gap is present.

There's a LOT of missing land, I'll often use an insulated (TFE-insulated 
if I can find it in small gauges) wire to bridge the missing copper.

I too will like to read what the 'big boys' do to solve these problems.

73,

Tom Hammond    N0SS