Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: c22jrb@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Jim Buchanan)
Subject: Re: Desoldering: where's a cheap, small torch
Message-ID: <1994Aug12.133745.28725@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com>
Originator: c22jrb@kopt0017
Sender: news@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Usenet News Account)
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Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.
References:  <32dm6q$eki@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 1994 13:37:45 GMT
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In article <32dm6q$eki@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>, ocg@cw-u02.umd.umich.edu (John Roldan) writes:
[...]
> My questions:
> 
> can I get a small cheap torch that will fit the bill?  I remember 
> something in RadioShack a while back.  I'd hate to convince my wife I 
> need to buy a big torch and one of those metal masks I see the riveters 
> wwearing.
[...]

I've used the Radio Shack mini-torch. The main problem with it is the poor
seal of the valve (a pin on a threaded screw that is also used to puncture
the seal on the butane cartridge). If you don't use all the gas in a week
or two, it all leaks out.

I usually use the same torch I use for household plumbing. It's cheap,
useful for many other jobs, and a tank of propane lasts for a long time.

I heat the IC solder till it looks like it's flowing, then wait a little
longer before I apply force to the device. This ensures that the solder is
really soft, and minimizes physical damage.

Even though I use this method, it's not ideal. Solder and parts can fly
around if you're not careful, and fire is a real possibility. I have set
the board itself on fire this way.

--
Jim Buchanan                    
c22jrb@kopt0017.delcoelect.com  "Catch 22"
c22jrb@delphi.com               
'73 BMW R75/5                   "Frau Bluecher"
