Recycle old PCB components

Step 5 Continue to remove the Components

Continue to remove the components with the same technique,and you will get a lot of them!

Comments

[soldering iron]

Your soldering iron with red handle (on picture above) looks excellent iron for removing most of through-hole components , but If you wish to remove some components from LCD TV or new gadgets such as iPod Touch, Kindle ebook reader or iPad you really need good soldering iron with small conical tip. For some temperature-sensitive components such as some ICs, diodes, MOSFETs, etc. I suggest using a temperature controlled soldering iron because too much heat can damage components.

[ferris_beuller]

I've actually thought of using a blow-torch to the back of a board while tapping the board to get all the parts off. however, my only concern would be the fact that some pins are bent after being inserted and they may not fall out. has anyone tried something like that? even still, a blow-torch would more quickly heat up the board but you might need a few friends to help pull out the components quickly!

[goeon]

the blowtorch works i used it with a pair of plies to pull them off

[hitokiri_808]

I do this with a butane pencil torch. Just heat the joint on the back of the board and pull on the component. I haven't had a problem with the board catching on fire or too much burning smell. I actually use a torch for a lot of soldering, works great for splicing wire or tinning ends.

[cwebsterl]

i stand by my butane pencil torch. i use it so much for soldering i have to keep at least 3 cans of butane around. the only problem i found though is with connectors and delicate components. many connectors have metal pins soldered onto the PCB but the pins are set into plastic to form the connector. If the pins get too hot the plastic melts and you ruin your component. Also many delicate parts cannot be torched." Word of wisdom though: Do NOT go and waste money on a desoldering iron. Go somewhere like Radio Shack and pick up a desoldering tool or a desoldering bulb. I have one of each, the bulb cost $4 and the fancy little metal tool cost $10. Both cheaper than buying a desoldering iron for $20 or more.

[pooter1433]

How funny. I actually tried to do the blowtorch method this afternoon. It works well but as you mentioned, some pins are bent and makes it difficult to remove the parts. I highly recommend NOT doing this indoors. The PCB caught on fire a few times and really lets off a noxious smoke. I'm sure it's not good for you! But the blowtorch method does work. btw I used a little blowtorch like you would use in the kitchen for pastries.

[ferris_beuller]

You are correct about the smell! My house still smells funky days later. I totally recommend using this method OUTDOORS!

[DFIII]

I have used the torch method of extraction but you need to take into account that some componants are destroyed by too much heat. IC chips and transisters are amongst those componants and should be taken of seperatly w/ heatsink attached I soldered a piece of copper to an alligator clip for my heat sink. works pretty good.

[bears0]

 i had a radio kit and i was using my dads soldering iron the tip was very big and hard to work with so i think i may have ruined it because it didnt work and i worked on it for hours : -(

could you remind me what transisters are, are they those glass looking things that have the line to tell you which way they go
i only remember resisters, and capacitors.

[DFIII]

i'm sry it took so long to respond.  I didn't have internet for a while.  Transistors are either plastic or metal and have three legs.  google it and you can get a better explanation than i can give you from here