Re: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
- Original Message - From: "Lee Buller" To: "Elecraft Reflector" 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 wickthe 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 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
I first use a bit of solder wick to clean up the excess solder on both sides. This usually leaves a bit of recessed solder in the plated through hole. I then use a stainless steel T-pin heated with a soldering iron and held with a pair of needle nose pliers to press through the hole. Once it is through I remove the iron and after it cools a bit I give the Tpin a twist and gently remove it while twisting back and forth. It's always worked so far on too many holes to count. 73 jim ab3cv ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
Lee: Besides using solder wick (available at Radio Shack, I think), you can use a needle to clear out the hole. Solder doesn't seem to stick to needles very well. Just heat the needle near the point while trying to push it into the hole. Usually works like a charm. 73's, John AA0VE Lee Buller wrote: 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" ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
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 . 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? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
Hi Lee, Man I hate when that happens... solder wick works well, but can you find that when you need it? A drill might, but that has so really poor happenings, and opens the door real wide for our good friend(?) Murphy, with the least problem to be a loosened hole through, the worst being a messed up board. How about air? heated the hole, blowing a can of compressed air through? Another thought would be, stripping the braid out of the smallest coax you have handy, two or three inches to start with, wiping flux on the stripped out shield, and use that for solder wick...? Or.. simply heating the hole, then sliding in a stranded wire, through the hole... a "fur piece" then either cutting the wire off, and pulling it out... or continue to heat the hole and draw the wire through until it is clean. Obviously this requires a proper sized wire.. but then you have a few other holes to size the wire with. Good Luck, and remember... it isn't the speed that accomplishes the task it is the lack of returning to fix it again that makes it a good repair. --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:07:12 -0800From: k...@swbell.netto: elecr...@mailman.qth.netsubject: [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? _ Life on your PC is safer, easier, and more enjoyable with Windows Vista®. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/127032870/direct/01/___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] OT Slightly: PC Board Recovery -Plated Through Holes
Solder wick? Dick, K6KR 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? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com