Tool Tip: How to Salvage PCB Parts

Step 2 Using a Desoldering Iron or a Soldering Iron and Pump

Find the component you want to take off, then flip your PCB over. Try to find the leads to your component, and hold your desoldering iron on the lead until the solder melts, then suck it up. If you can't get enough solder off, try adding a little. Weird, but it works. Make sure you squeeze the bulb BEFORE you stick the iron on the solder, otherwise you'll blow molten solder everywhere. And you do not want that.

Once you sucked up enough solder, break the leads away from the hole, then pull the component out. In the pictures, I'm desoldering a tact switch from an old stereo. I was lucky enough to have switches with only two leads.

Comments

[katoplato]

Thanks for the "add a little more solder" tip. Worked a treat!