Showerthought: Removing SMD parts always feels like a gamble without the right tools.

I've had mixed results with just an iron and some flux. Take this with a grain of salt, but does anyone have a reliable method?

4 comments

4 Comments

richard_robinson2d ago

With an iron and flux, adding solder wick usually does the trick.

iriscoleman2d ago

Heat the wick a bit before using it, doesn't that make it soak up solder faster? @richard_robinson's method works, but a quick preheat can save time.

the_christopher2d ago

Totally, I read that cleaning the wick with isopropyl alcohol first can help it work even better.

jesse_king272d ago

Hey wait, when you say heat the wick first, how long are you actually holding it on the iron before touching the board? I always worry about cooking the pad if I leave it on too long trying to get that first bit of solder to flow.