Rocking before mounting?

[slacker775]

My cheapo solder-sucker usually works pretty well if I'm able to fit it over the spot and I keep my iron tinned.  I have a cheapo RS-style desoldering iron with the bulb and it sometimes works ok, and sometimes doesn't.  For two-lead components like resistors and caps, I never really have any issues but pots or IC's tend to give me fits.  It's not easy to get every last bit of solder off those pins so they always want to adhere to the holes!

Going back to the original question though, I'm like some of the others where if I'm not too impatient, I'll drill the enclosure so I can use that to get the pots attached BYOC-style and then test the circuit with my testing rig before completing the box-up.  I've been known to be impatient on occasion and sometimes will just eyeball up the pots and try to get them as straight as I can and solder away so I can test.  This is usually only for something that's a simpler circuit, and only 2 or 3 pots, no switches kind of thing. 

[rullywowr]

http://www.tradetech.co.nz/shop/Tools+Cleaning+Products++Solder+Solutions/Hakko+Soldering+Iron+Parts+%26+Accessories/HAK808.html

Yeee-oooo-uuuch.

I think I need to try and google-fu a cheap desoldering station.

I got my 472D used off eBay for a good deal.  Replaced some general maintenance items and it's good to go. 

[madbean]

There is a newer version of the 808 - the FR300. I've almost bought bit half a dozen times.

[pickdropper]

There is a newer version of the 808 - the FR300. I've almost bought bit half a dozen times.

Yep, me too.  It's unfortunately more expensive, but it is smaller.  Some folks on various forums complained that the accessories are lower quality, which would be disappointing considering the price increase.  But I haven't compared them myself.

[playpunk]

Circuit Specialists has one for 100, but it's backordered.

[pickdropper]

I don't have a good desoldering station at the moment (soon to be rectified), but I use my Soldering tweezers, which I find equally valuable.  This is what I use to remove pots (and ICs)

[davent]

These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.



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

[Scruffie]

What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.

[mmlee]

These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.



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

I can confirm these work well, amazing the difference what that little bit silicon makes.  I think I got mine off amazon.

[RobA]

What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.

Yeah, this is exactly the type of thing I'm hoping to find. Lee's idea is pretty close to this and just a little bit more of a pain. So, I'll be giving them a shot. But, if I could find something as simple as even a really tiny banana plug with a lot of flex, that would really do the trick nicely.

[RobA]

These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.



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

I can confirm these work well, amazing the difference what that little bit silicon makes.  I think I got mine off amazon.

This at least look nice. The crappy solder sucker I have now is headed for the bin. So, I do need a new one. The Hakko's look really nice, but an upcoming oscilloscope purchase is going to eat up my DIY hardware budget for the next couple of years. So, I'll have to give one of these guys a shot too. It can't be worse than the one I've been using.

[Leevibe]

What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.

Yeah, this is exactly the type of thing I'm hoping to find. Lee's idea is pretty close to this and just a little bit more of a pain. So, I'll be giving them a shot. But, if I could find something as simple as even a really tiny banana plug with a lot of flex, that would really do the trick nicely.

Agreed. If you find something like that, let me know. I'm thinking it would have to be either very flexible or come in two sizes: one for wire pads and one for pot pads.