Help with desoldering.

[FA-MAS]

Hey, I'm having a problem desoldering components off my 360 motherboard. I was wondering if anyone had any tips.

Here's my problem. I've got the radioshack 45 watt desoldering iron. I know the 360 motherboard uses lead free solder. I am adding some solder to it, and i'm not having problems desoldering the larger solder joints such as the ones that connect to the shielding of whatever component. I'm having problems desoldering the small pins. I can't get the solder to suck away from those

[timmeh87]

http://www.curiousinventor.com/images/h ... _tools.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These three tools. Or at least one of them.

[collinE]

try dremeling some of the pins down a little so the desoldering iron has an easier time getting down to the solder pads. Working on the 360 motherboard definitely has a learning curve so use flux, make sure the edges of the iron tip are hitting the solder, and once you're absolutely sure it's melted, then suck. it's hit or miss whether it works, so be prepared for that. you then have to do the screwdriver wedge technique to gently pry it off while heating up the pins.

hope that helps.

[FA-MAS]

I've got all 3 of those tools and I know how to use them. It's wierd. Some I can get clean by applying some flux and using solder wick with a 40 watt iron. Some don't. The desoldering iron is useless in this situation, the tip is too big and just fits around, it doesn't actually touch the solder. I've had some luck with adding some solder then heating with a 40 watt iron then using the solder sucker, but it's hit or miss too. It's like it doesn't melt through and mix with the rest of the solder. I was able to get usb ports off with the rocking motion. I'm worried about ripping pads off though.

http://www.curiousinventor.com/images/h ... _tools.jpg

These three tools. Or at least one of them.