[Elecraft] OT: Removing Solder Through Plated Through Holes

[Arnie Grubbs]

Lee, 
 
One thing that I have found works well for removing solder quickly
and 'cleanly' is inertia..

I place a small bit of scrap carpet on the edge of my workbench to
act as a "PCB stop" pad, so as not to damage the board.  Add a little
solder to the thru hole you are working on until it bridges the hole shut.

Heat up the solder in the hole with the iron, then quickly before the
solder can cool thump the board on the pad.  Make sure the hole you
are working on is off the edge of the table and pad, so the solder
continues its movement after the board stops. A box can be placed to
catch the flying solder from getting away.  I use some of that bubble
wrap stuff in the bottom of the box.  It melts and grabs the solder bits
when it gets hit by the solder..

This seems to work well for me, leaving a very  clean through hole.
Very rarely do I need to go back and touch up things with solderwick.

Hope that helps a bit...

73 - Arnie KA0NCR


Lee Buller wrote:
>
> Hey,
>
> Lots of good ideas here.  I did use the solder wick.  That was a no 
> brainer, but getting all the solder out of the holes is a different 
> deal.  I rummaged around in my tool drawer and I found a "solder 
> sucker" which was spring loaded.  I got it years ago from Radio Shack. 
> I never had any luck with it...but in this application seemed to work 
> well.  I got the holes cleaned up....now...I can start again.  But 
> alas...I think I need to get some more resistors too...I broke one. 
>
> Thanks for the ideas guys.
>
> Lee - K0WA
>
>