[vcf-midatlantic] Chip Salvage

[Ethan Dicks]

On Fri, Apr 16, 2021 at 8:29 PM Duane Craps via vcf-midatlantic
<vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> I remember reading a article many years ago, I think it was in BYTE,
> about salvaging IC's from discarded Printed Circuit Boards by using a
> chip puller and a torch on the back. Has anyone actually done this? I
> guess now you could try with a hot air gun?

I've done it with a hot air gun and either rapping the board and
things fall off or a chip puller for stubborn ones.

It's much easier with 2-layer boards than boards with ground traces.

I also pull thermoplastic-heavy heat-sensitive things I want to keep
(piezo buzzers, battery holders, .1" pin headers...) before the hot
air blast.

I have an IC tester so I can check the "haul".  So far, immediate
thermal death is not ordinary, but I can't vouch for long-term.

Oh... and I've done it with real lead solder.  Haven't done it with
the newer, higher-melting-temp RoHS solders.

Definitely an outside activity.  With a breeze.

-ethan