Don't be scared to bend the tips if the prongs coming off the screen, you can bend them back easy enough after you un solder them all. My solder sucker was causing the same problem, I just pushed it against the prong a little harder to get a little suction.

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There is nothing wrong with using braid (solder wick). As a matter of fact... many times it is the best option. The braid just runs a higher risk of damage due to heat. You need to use good flux when you use braid.

I typically use the braid to finish soldering fine-pitch components. You can glob the solder on when initially soldering down the part, then use flux + braid to wick most of the solder back off of the part. This should leave you with near-perfect joints.

For removing parts, the braid can be useful as well. I would add solder first. Definitely use flux. You will notice that when you use flux, the solder tends to flow straight into the copper braid. This is a good sign that you are not overheating your components or PCB. If the part that you are trying to remove is connected directly to heavy ground plane in the PCB, then you are going to have a really hard time wicking the solder away from the board. There is no graceful way to beat a heavy ground plane unless you have a reflow oven (which I doubt).

 

Of course there is nothing "wrong with it" but for a beginner, I DO NOT recommend the use of braid ever. You have no idea how many emails I get saying "oh crap I cracked my screen, I was using braid blah blah" or "why does only part of my screen work? I think I overheated it useing braid" and to quantify that, I get at least 1 email like that a week compared to around 1 or so a month using a solder sucker. I have to recommend to my customers the easiest way to get a screen off without damage and I recommend by years of experience doing this and helping my customers.

For the specific task of removing the LCD from this particular PCB / through hole pins, I recommend a quality solder sucker & iron for individuals with limited to hobby level experience.

 

I figured that is why you didn't recommend it. Those stats don't surprise me either.

I just thought I would add some solder braid illumination since it came up.

 

Gotcha, no offense taken at all or intended. It just sucks when I get those "help me" emails after they crack a screen and there is nothing I can do for them since the screen is not sold separate.

Another swapper on this forum recommended braid openly and wow did I get a flood of emails and repair calls after that which is why I try to keep that option limited.

 

It's not terribly surprising that parts get ruined often when people are doing something that is admittedly risky

We use vacuum hot air stations and re-flow ovens at work, and it is still a risky process.

 

Exactly, I have a vacuum system here but we do not have a full oven. I use a smaller hot air bath if I have to with quick chip or just flux "usually do not have to use either depending on what I am doing"

 

i would love to make my gauge lights blue,how much would that cost

 

Happy heatwave BUMP!

 

PM me a price for an LED swap, blue needle color change, HVAC LED swap all in blue shipped to 28384 please kind sir! Give me a few quotes for faster shipping methods too please.

 

PM Sent

 

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Weekend coming up BUMP! Cannot wait!

 

BuMp!

 

Cooler weather is finally here BUMP!

 

Almost turkey day bump! I hope all of your travels are safe and awesome!

 

2011 Already BUMP! Hope all of you had an excellent new years!

 

Bump!

To note, all colors of all bulbs are back in stock! And of course all other items are in stock and good to go! Browse around our web-store at http://store.garage1217.com/

 

Hope you all had a great Presidents day weekend!

 

TGIF Bump!