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By robin, January 23, 2010 2:39 am

Want some easy components? I’ve tried lots of ways to get things off a board, but this works the best so far. Heat guns are too uneven, smelly and require your hands to be occupied. Desoldering is fine for things with few leads, but a pain for chips etc. Just skillet heat is also pretty uneven and can soften the plastic parts too much.

Solder melts at about 200C, and oil boils at about 250C (some types are hotter than others – canola oil is about 200C, peanut oil is about 250). So frying the boards bottom works great.

Place a thin layer of oil in a thrift store skillet (solder may contain lead, so don’t cook with the same one later). Ideally it will be adjustable temperature, and must have a flat bottom. Once the oil is hot, place the board in it for a few minutes. Ideally the oil doesn’t flow over the edge, though it may a little. You can then just pull most things off with a pair of leather gloves. Even plastic connectors tended to be fine — nice!

Note: Splattering oil is the big danger here. Safety goggle not an option. Leather gloves as well. Will try to get photos tomorrow…