[Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes

[Joe W2KJ]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lee Buller" <k0wa at swbell.net>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:07 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes




I was putting together a kit this evening (non Elecraft) and discovered I 
was using the wrong instruction sheet version to the parts and board I was 
using. (Always check your parts before beginning - which I did not) I had to 
putt about 10 resistors of the board. They are plated through holes. I did 
not have a vacuum desoldering station...so I have to think of somethingto 
get the solder out of the holes. A small drill? Anyone has some comments?

Lee Buller - K0WA
"Embarrased to say the least"

Howdy Lee:

If you don't have good solder wick then try using a stainless steel sewing 
needle.

I've used a sewing needle many times and it works great...heat the pad and 
stick the needle down thru the hole while the solder is melting.

The needle will push the solder out the other side where you can clip off 
the excess and clean the remainder up with solder wick....the needle, being 
stainless steel, won't adhere to the solder so it will just pull right back 
out of the hole.

Best of luck in getting your board cleaned up.

                                73, Joe W2KJ
                                I QRP, therefore I am