De-soldering?

Question

I'm trying to get a DIP IC off of a PCB, but I can't get the solder to drip away from the joints. Is there any way I can keep it liquid long enough for it to drip away?

Answer 1

Rhsaunder has a good answer.

I would like to add; there is a product we in the trade know as solder wick. It is a braided fine wire resembling the shield on a coax cable but smaller. It is pre-fluxed and when it is heated while being pressed to the connection the solder will flow into the wicking material. The last time I looked, both wicking and suckers were available at Radio Shack.

FYI, even after evacuating the solder, the leg will probably stick to one side of the hole in the PCB, gentle but firm pressure on the leg from the stuck side toward the open part of the whole will normally break it loose. DO NOT try to push it back through the hole while it is still sticking to one side. It will delaminate the board as often as not.

BTW, this question is in "engineering", are you an engineer? I NEVER let my engineer anywhere near a soldering station.

Seriously, GOOD LUCK and don't overheat it when you put the new one in.

Answer 2

No. You need a solder sucker. This is a tube with a spring-loaded piston and a trigger; you heat the joint, and while the solder is molten, apply the solder sucker and press the trigger. The spring withdraws the piston, creating a partial vacuum that sucks up the solder. You can buy one for a few dollars at an electronics supply store.

Answer 3

There is a bulb type solder sucker with a teflon tip. I have always had very good experience with them. They clean the hole and lead very well, work faster than the spring type, easier to clean and are cheaper. Ungar used to make them, but now they are a Weller product, Part #7805. There even great for point to point wiring too.

Answer 4

you need to suck the solder away with good quality wick, lay it along all the pins and use lots of flux as well.