Solder Pot Ideas- will it work on small components?

[stevieb]

I've been researching ideas on desoldering xbox controller boards. I do a lot- 10-15 per week. I've used desoldering wicks but it takes forever. I have a desoldering gun, but I've had so much trouble with it (heater/pump) that it's almost unusable. I saw a video of using a solder pot for easy component desoldering. They seem to be on the cheap side, but look like they work very good.

Anyone have any thoughts on if they think it would work nicely with the controller boards? I'm just worried that the small components around the 3d joystick might melt into the solder falling off.

I don't have a high budget, so was needing something low end.

Here's one I was looking at: Solder Pot

 

[backwoodsman]

Here's one I was looking at: Solder Pot

A "Lead free" solder pot.. LOL I guess that's important in something that's made for melting... mostly lead. The user reviews leave something to be desired.

I don't currently use a solder pot, but in the past I used one of those mini deep fryers from a thrift shop. I don't know if all of them will go hot enough, but that one worked well, and it would be hard to get more low-budget.

Can't help you on the main question, sorry.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I would suggest using a preheater plus a SMT hot air wand. To unsolder ROM modules from hard drive PCBs, I set the preheater to 215C and the wand to 300C. It reduces the risk of overheating the component yet is fast and allows complete control. Personally, I don't like the thought of solder fumes wafting off a solder pot that's on much of the day, nor the thought of the burns that can occur should the solder pot get bumped. If it is turned on only when needed, it will take quite a while to come up to temperature.

 

[stevieb]

I guess I'm not understanding why the system I have in place isn't working right. Are the xbox one controllers using that powerful solder that 500* can't melt it!?!?!?

I use a solder iron/wick or I use my desoldering gun. I'm using flux + 60/40 solder to help melt. And it takes FOREVER to get all the solder melted/removed. I see youtube videos of people using desoldering gun and they hold for 3 sec and vacuum it away like there's nothing to it.

I'm scared to use my hot air wand as I might damage small components near the joystick.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I see youtube videos of people using desoldering gun and they hold for 3 sec and vacuum it away like there's nothing to it.

I'll bet they are also using a pre-heater, if not a BGA re-work machine (Zhuomao, Jovy, Honton, Scotle, AHCI, Bird, Bauer, Puhuit, Aoyue, etc.). You could always mask off the heat-sensitive components with aluminum foil or Kapton tape. Tried Bismuth yet?

 

[backwoodsman]

Are the xbox one controllers using that powerful solder that 500* can't melt it!?!?!?

Probably using lead-free solder. Higher melting point; try a little more heat.

 

[stevieb]

I've got my solder gun maxed out with temp.

Never heard of bismuth, but the video I just watched looked promising.

Let me know what you think I should do with what I have to make this easier.
Here's what I have in the shop:
958D Screen Seperator hot plate (possibly use as a preheater??)
852D solder gun/hot air station
474A++ Aoyoe desoldering gun

I've got 60/40 solder and desoldering wicks.

I'm also attaching a photo of the boards I'm working on to give a better idea of the real estate I'm working with. I circled the part where the back of the joystick is where I'm desoldering. The top of the board is where the stick is, so I'm not sure how I can use a preheater + hot air station as I can't apply heat to both sides.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I can't imagine trying to remove components while the PCB is still mounted, and have never seen it attempted. I would urge you to remove the board and try some of the suggestions again.