Hi just want to get opinion on best smd solder removal equipment!

I work for a large Hi Tech company and when everything switched from leaded to lead free solder a few years ago, all of our hand held rework solder equipment was changed over to equipment from JBC. 
This is one of the untis for removing high pin count devices.  http://www.jbctools.com/te-pre...tegory-3-menu-2.html

JBC isn't cheap, but it's definitely good stuff. They have a system for every type of soldering.

Don't know if this would work on what you want, but it's nice for most other de-soldering:

 

http://www.adafruit.com/products/1597

 

adafruit was fast on delivery too.

I an electronics tech for the Air Force.  At work I use a Pace MBT-350 (among other systems), they have a great selection of SMD tweezers and tips.  If you currently have a Pace station, you more than likely can check their catalog at www.paceworldwide.com.   You may be able to SMD handsets to fit your station.

 

The problem with SMD removal/installation is every package PLCC, SOIC, BGA, etc.  requires different tips for removal/installation.  As long as your not doing the square packages and sticking to SOICS, resistor chips etc. you may be able to get away with tweezers and blades.

 

Whatever you go with I recommend going with a company that has a large selection of tips.  Either way it will be kind of pricey.

 

-rog

On edit: which Pace station do you currently have?

Was the change to lead free solder in electronics strictly environmental? I see the need in plumbing systems and things like that that are associated with human consumption, but electronics are seldom 'consumed' by humans. I'm just a hobbyist, but I much prefer the leaded solder. Sorry to get off topic here, but curious.

rtr12-

Yes The move from leaded to lead free was purely environmental. Even though we don't physically consume electronics, we dispose of them at high rates and all the chemicals used in them end up back in the environment and so several years ago there was a big initiative, RoHS, to remove many of these chemicals from electronics and cables etc. 

For personal use, I still use leaded solder for repairs. Really good hand soldering is difficult to achieve with lead free without the right tools. 

As an FYI, any trains purchased in the last few years are all lead free circuit boards.

As near as I can tell, the lead-free solder was strictly an environmental issue, I've never seen any adverse effects of using tin/lead solder as far as circuitry is concerned.  The lead-free stuff is harder to work with, I'm glad I have several pounds of tin/lead left in inventory.

 

yes the change was environmental anything with lead in it was banned including, gas ,paint,and plumbing pipes.lead was band due to it causing cancer!

Alan

 

yes John i have used both kinds of solder,but when i was in the nuclear industry then banded all lead solder and 60/40 was banded and 63/37 was would must be used on any nuclear facility in all there electronic wiring and PC,s electronic modules when repaired or modified!

Alan

John back on top now , what type of soldering removal do you use when removing a IC's which has multiple leads to a SDM ?

you usually need to get all pins De-soldered at the same time. sometimes solder wick braided  wire will help! What's your opinion for removal of such devices!

Alan

Truthfully, I chop the leads off the old part at the body and then sweep them away with the soldering iron.  It's very difficult to remove anything but a small part without killing it anyway.

 

I use Chip Quik sold by DigiKey, Mouser, etc.  All is explained very well in the 45 sec video on the DigiKey site.  Note that the stuff is even called "SMD Removal Kit".  It's not cheap but it really works.

 

http://www.digikey.com/supplie...hipquik.page?lang=en

I never heard of that, but after the video, I can't seem to find the actual product.

 

http://www.digikey.com/product.../SMD1/SMD1-ND/304148

 

At about $15 it's comes out to a few pennies per SMD pad so it's probably too expensive for business use...but for hobbyists doing an IC here and an IC there, it's the cat's pajamas.

How did you find it Stan?  I looked under every category, how did I miss it?

 

GRJ, say the word and I'll pony up a 49 cent stamp and send you a few inches of the stuff if you want to try it before buying... 

hi all i found the kit that Stank is talking about but costs $38.63./kit

i will copy n paste the item Chip Quick INC.

Alan

Thanks for the replies on the lead free solder in electronics. I have never tried it on electronics and don't plan to. I worked in the control industry for many years and it is also more difficult to use lead free solder on copper pipe as well. We still used lead based 50/50 (much better) for control air piping when I retired a few years ago (what little of it there was left).

Not to mention you need hotter irons and it produces more toxic smoke to breath in.

Lead causes lead poisoning, I am not sure lead has been proven to cause cancer?

My next order to Digikey I'm going to pick up the kit, looks useful.  I like the technique of cleaning the pads after the removal, I use solder wick and it's not always totally successful.  This may make the replacements easier.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151642...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

$12.99 with free shipping from Maryland on eBay.  I've used this stuff for over 10 years - you will be amazed at how well this stuff works!

 

I just use solder wick,works fine in most cases. 

 

Dale H

I placed the order Stan, thanks for the cheap alternative.  I can strike that from my pending Digikey order now.