So i'm apparently a solder noob and need advice.

[ComputerRepairTech]

thank you all for the great advice I successfully removed the dc jack but the back part of the dc jack broke off and is stuck in the motherboard and I can't seem to get it out. I thought maybe if I sit the soldering iron on the piece of metal that broke off I could make it hot enough to loosen it but that did absolutely nothing. Any advice?

 

[Larry Sabo]

Any advice?

Hot air and flux. Don't force it or you may rip traces.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Alright and what do you guys do about all the fumes? I put a big air purifier nearby but its not really enough. do you guys wear like a ventilation mask or anything? Edit: I mean respirator mask

 

[jmitservices]

Get something like this soldering fume extractor.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I put a big air purifier nearby but its not really enough.

I made fumes extractor out of one of those and it really worked like a charm. Sad to say, I sold it with my BGA reworking tools and equipment. Perhaps you could make something similar out of your air purifier. Just cut up a universal air purifier carbon filter refill to fit inside the air purifier and put a few layers in there; it's really effective.

 

[Krynn72]

For a one off thing, just put a fan blowing it away from your face. Otherwise I recommend the hakko bench top extractor. Pulls a decent amount of air, better than the home built ones I made at least with computer fans.

As for the stuck piece, try flooding the pin with new solder from both sides. Flux is essential. The idea is to mix your leaded solder with the lead free solder already there and thus lower the melting temp. Your iron sound like it's just not really strong enough to work on a multilayer board though. It's not just about the temperature, but the thermal mass of the iron compared to the work piece, and the thermal recovery attribute of the iron.

Take a look at this video to get a better idea of what's going on when you solder, and then you'll be better able to figure out a solution.

 

[glennd]

For a one off thing, just put a fan blowing it away from your face. Otherwise I recommend the hakko bench top extractor. Pulls a decent amount of air, better than the home built ones I made at least with computer fans.

As for the stuck piece, try flooding the pin with new solder from both sides. Flux is essential. The idea is to mix your leaded solder with the lead free solder already there and thus lower the melting temp. Your iron sound like it's just not really strong enough to work on a multilayer board though. It's not just about the temperature, but the thermal mass of the iron compared to the work piece, and the thermal recovery attribute of the iron.

Take a look at this video to get a better idea of what's going on when you solder, and then you'll be better able to figure out a solution.

"Sodder" ?

 

[NJW]

I thought maybe if I sit the soldering iron on the piece of metal that broke off I could make it hot enough to loosen it but that did absolutely nothing.

That's a recipe for damaging the board. You must apply the heat directly to the solder: flux (to the board) together with extra solder to the point where the iron is in contact with the existing solder is the way to go. You have to get the existing solder molten, of course, and quickly. Once you have managed to melt it, it will be much easier to reheat after rearranging things to give you better access for the next stage.

With the solder molten, the piece probably won't fall out on its own – the surface tension of the solder will keep it in place. A quick tap to the board may encourage it to fall out, or pull it out with tweezers (if you have three hands ... ).

Don't try to remove solder until the broken pin is out of the way.

 

[Moltuae]

"Sodder" ?

I was surprised the first time I heard the American pronunciation too

I assume that means you say it the same way we do down under? (ie Sold as in ...... well, 'Sold' I suppose .... and er as in 'her').

 

[brandonkick]

thank you all for the great advice I successfully removed the dc jack but the back part of the dc jack broke off and is stuck in the motherboard and I can't seem to get it out. I thought maybe if I sit the soldering iron on the piece of metal that broke off I could make it hot enough to loosen it but that did absolutely nothing. Any advice?

So you have one leg stuck in the through hole? If a leg is stuck, from the bottom of the board simply add more solder to the joint and then try sucking it out once you have a decent amount of solder put back on. If your using a solder sucker, a tip is to not remove the iron from the joint but rather stick the sucker right up against the tip and quickly hit the button. I've had pretty decent success at pulling all the solder out of a hole this way, much more success than trying to heat up the solder, move the iron, place the solder sucker, and then try to hit the button.

 

[glennd]

I was surprised the first time I heard the American pronunciation too

I assume that means you say it the same way we do down under? (ie Sold as in ...... well, 'Sold' I suppose .... and er as in 'her').

I thought he just couldn't say the letter 'L' due to a trauma he suffered when he was a sboolboy.