Thanks for the suggestions!
I tried wiggling the caps to break them off, but they're quite durable. I'm afraid it might damage the vias. Yanking them straight out looks even more potentially destructive. Cutting the leads is an option, but what cutter do you use? There's barely 1mm of height clearance, plus components around that further limit access.
I'm not going to solder to the existing leads. That's too ugly, and I have
far greater plans.
Psi, won't 20 seconds of heat damage the board/traces?
The tip is tinned. Just not enough heat, I suppose. Would those 10-15$ adjustable 60W pen irons do any better? (And why do all those 220V versions come with US plugs?
)
Any specific suggestions for cheap flux, and an ESD safe solder sucker with a durable tip, off eBay or a Hong Kong/China store?
Monkeh,
Yago, what tools specifically do you have in mind?