HOW TO DESOLDER THROUGH HOLE COMPONENTS, CONNECTORS & CHIPS?

Through Hole De-Soldering Finally Made Really Easy!
Thru-Hole De-Soldering Without Lifting Pads & Traces!

What's the best way to desolder with PC Boards? With preheat! Remember, David Jacks, the President of Zephyrtronics pointed out way back in 1994: "if a PCB Assembly can be made under 300°C in initial production, then it can also be unmade and remade at similar temps!"  Regardless of copper content, number of layers & heavy ground planes? Yes. But you need a PCB fixture, an AirBath preheater, a non-clogging desoldering tool and you're there.

STEP 1: Secure your PCB within the ABC-1 Board Cradle above the ZT-1 AirBath (not powered) as shown. Generously dip your brush into flux. (Recommended: No Clean Flux NCF-0014 & THB-0144 Thru-Hole Brush)

STEP 2a:  Apply your flux to targeted solder joint's individual leads and land interface that corresponds to the Thru-Hole device, connector or chip on the opposite side of your PCB assembly you wish to desolder and remove.

STEP 2b: Begin Preheating! Next,  begin the pre-heating process by flipping the rocker switch found on the AirBath to "Warm". (Typically preheat is at 150°C).

STEP 3a: Apply LowMelt®. Note: The preheat advantage permits skipping to Step 4. Still with extremely heavy ground planes, high copper content PCB’s,  a "boost" option is to use a strand of certified LowMelt® DeSolder Wire as shown.

STEP 3b: Melt LowMelt®. directly onto existing joints as needed. Co-metalization has begun! Because no two PCB’s are alike, some joints will require more LowMelt® (Note: Only use certified Zephyrtronics alloy).

STEP 4a:
Ready for DeSoldering! Using a MIL-Spec, Temp-Controlled Thru-Hole DeSoldering Tool (We recommend: the AT-915ESD Digital DeSoldering Station) and with the Digital Temp Set at no more than 300°C, take the Desoldering Pistol and lower the Desoldering Tip onto the solder joint stud.  Be Careful and do not lower tip to the pad at this point.