[Elecraft] Unsoldering

[Edward R Cole]

Mark,

I have not built a K1 so do not know how it is designed.  If you are 
wanting to remove surface-mount components the simple method is to 
first wick excess solder away and then use two solder irons on either 
end of the device to unsolder and lift the component.

If this thru-hole construction then resistors and capacitors should 
not be too difficult to unsolder each lead at a time.  Removing 
leaded transistors can be tough.  Sometimes one has to just clip the 
leads and remove the transistor and then remove each lead remnant 
individually with a solder iron.  The transistor is usually junk if 
you do that.  A solder-sucker is handy with small leaded devices.

High power transistors with large metal "ears" can be a 
challenge.  One needs a high power solder iron with large tip.  Heat 
and remove solder with wick then use knife edge to lift a lead while 
heating with solder iron.  Once enough is lifted a flat screwdriver 
can help lift the rest.  Caution that applying heat too long can 
cause high power transistor failure.

All this is a good reason to double-check installation in the first 
place.  But have been there and done it.

73, Ed - KL7UW

From: Mark Petrovic <mspetrovic at gmail.com>
To: elecraft at qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Unsoldering


I'm assembling an Elecraft K1, and get the distinct feeling that
unsoldering really is the last thing you want to be involved in.  I
have solder wick that has embedded flux, and I have a solder sucker
that seems huge compared to the size of the features I'm dealing with.
The wick works ok at getting some of the solder out, but not all of
it.  And a little bit of residual solder is still a major physical
blocker to correcting a misplaced component or bad joint.

I feel like I'm a pretty good solder-er, but I have not had good luck
with unsoldering.  Is it just me or does everyone have this problem?

Thanks.
Mark
AE6RT



73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     dubususa at gmail.com