A couple of things I've used to clear plated through holes:
1) A common "solder sucker" such as sold at Radio Shack and many other places. Hold the board so you can apply heat from the soldering iron on one side of the board while placing the solder sucker over the hole on the opposite side. 'Wham': the hole is empty. It helps to put a little solder on the iron first so it transfers heat well. ' 2) A drop of flux to help "desoldering braid" usually clears the hole instantly. Even expensive braid doesn't have enough flux on it for this, but a small dab from a bottle of flux does wonders. I consider a bit of flux in a bottle just about as valuable as diagonal cutters on the bench. I have little 2 fl oz (50 ml) bottle of GC Electronics flux (P/N 10-4202) that I've used for years, and the level of the flux is now almost below the top of the neck. At this rate I'll leave it to a couple more generations of builders <G>. Ron AC7AC From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lee Buller Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 7:07 PM To: Elecraft Reflector 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" In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine?
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