RE: [LinuxBIOS] PLCC removal trick

[Jim Cooper]

I have heard of using canned air to blow the solder out and crystallize
it, but I don't think I would try this.  I use a heat gun and pair of IC
tweezers.  Whatever you do, add some solder paste so it reflows first.
Ideally you should use a tip for the PLCC that concentrates the heat on
the legs of the chip and doesn't overheat the chip itself.  Take a look
at the temp ratings of the chip if you use the heatgun approach.  Most
chips are only rated to take that kind of heat a little longer than it
takes to reflow the solder.

-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail]
[mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of Steve Gehlbach
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 11:41 AM
To: Guido Fiala
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: [LinuxBIOS] PLCC removal trick

Guido Fiala wrote:
> On Wednesday 14 September 2005 21:56, Dave Ashley wrote:
> > I don't know about anyone else but the dental floss idea didn't work 
> > at all for me, the floss interferes with the pins.
> >
> > I had this idea on how to remove the chip easily, but I haven't tried 
> > it. Just get some strong epoxy and glue onto the top surface of the 
> > flashrom something to act as a handle. After it's dry, use that to 
> > pull the chip out.
>
> Instead of epoxy you might use hot-glue (or whats it called), or, even 
> better, "Power Strip" - a removable 2-side-glue flexible tape...

It's a good idea, but keep in mind that some programmers (such as my
Needhams) have a cover that closes over the chip to program it, so a
removal knob might interfere with closing the cover.  Maybe the
programmer will make contact anyway with the cover open, haven't tried
it so I don't know.

Steve