Tool Tip: How to Salvage PCB Parts

Step 3 Desoldering with a Soldering Iron and Pliers

If you don't have a desoldering iron, you can desolder two-lead components using a normal soldering iron and needle-nose pliers.

Clamp the board in your helping hands, and grab the component you want to take out with your needle nose pliers. Heat one of the leads, and at the same time, tilt the component so you pull the lead out. What you'll get is a lopsided component. The idea is to do this while alternating sides until the component comes out. It's a good idea to use locking pliers.

Thanks to Zaen for this tip. Instead of using pliers, wedge a small screwdriver under the component while heating the leads.

Comments

[Minifig666]

 Warping an elastic band around the pliers then clipping them to the component leaves a had free to apply more solder to the joints if needed. Watch  your toes though my pliers have hit them once and it hurts quite a bit!

[fwfc4]

THANKS