Re: Another ZipGSX Mod Success!

["Paul G." <carbide@egine.com>]

On Oct 8, 12:36 pm, Warren Ernst <wer...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Oct 8, 10:15 am, sc...@alfter.DIESPAMMERSDIE.us (Scott Alfter)
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > In article <N46dnR_kqcl6oJXanZ2dnUVZ_iydn...@giganews.com>,
> > Steven Hirsch  <snhir...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > >Polymorph wrote:
>
> > >>> Instead of cutting the sockets, I tool the plunge and used my aging OK
> > >>> Industries desoldering station to remove the originals outright.  Went
> > >>> very smoothly.  The Zip PC board seems to have fairly heavy cladding
> > >>> and robust plate-through on the vias.  Managed to do the job without
> > >>> (God forbid) tearing any traces or lifting pads.  My 55-year-old eyes
> > >>> are not up to this task without a good magnifier between them and the
> > >>> PCB :-).
>
> > >> If only I had such a desoldering station....<sighs>. Anyone recommend a
> > >> good one that doesn't cost the bank?
>
> > >I picked this one up at a Ham Radio Flea Market for $50.00.  Production grade
> > >units are quite costly, but I've seen some very reasonably priced light-duty
> > >stations advertised in Nuts and Volts Magazine.  Try poking around on the web
> > >or watch eBay!
>
> > I've done fairly well with the desoldering iron Radio Shack sells (or
> > sold...given their devolution into just another cell-phone shop, they might
> > not sell them anymore) for maybe $10 or $15.  It looks like a soldering
> > iron, but with a hollow tip and a squeeze bulb attached.
>
> > Hmm...just tried googling for "desoldering iron," and it came up in the
> > first link:
>
> >http://www.radioshack.com/sm-45-watt-desoldering-iron--pi-2062731.html
>
> > Wonders never cease.
>
> >   _/_
> >  / v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
> > (IIGS(http://alfter.us/          Top-posting!
> >  \_^_/ rm -rf /bin/laden            >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet?
>
> Agreed. This tool is an amazingly effective de-solderer. I've spent
> countless dozens of dollars <G> over the years on braids, mechanical
> solder suckers, and other gizmos, but Rat Shack's weird, cheap little
> bulb-based tool works extremely well. Highly recommended.
>
> -Warr

That is exactly my experience.  I used spring-loaded solder suckers at
work for decades, because that's what I was given. I bought one of
these RS bulb types for use at home, and was amazed at how quickly and
cleanly it removes solder from vias.  The simultaneous heat and
vacuum, and tight seal to the joint make a big difference.
-Paul