Picking up large ICs/modules while desoldering

[davegravy]

I just tried (and failed) to desolder a ublox SARA-R5 module. I had to awkwardly force my tweezers open wider than they naturally go (the module is 16mm wide), I missed when gripping and removed the module shield instead of grabbing the thin bit of pcb material beneath it.

I'm looking around for something more purpose built than my tweezers. All the IC extractor's I'm seeing look like they're built for removing DIP, where there's an expectation you have clearance underneath for the "claw" to get under.

There are thousands of tweezers on digikey, none of the manufacturers care to say what the "resting" width of the grip is on the datasheet so I can find a wide pair.

The module's pcb material looks like it's only about 0.4mm, maybe 0.6mm high, so I need a fairly precise tip to whatever I use.

Any suggestions?

[BennoG]

I use a vacuum pump for this from AliExpress.

Benno

[davegravy]

I use a vacuum pump for this from AliExpress.

Benno

Thanks for the suggestion but a vacuum pump would need to pull from the top which would again remove the shield of the module. I need to grip from the sides.

[vk4ffab]

I use a vacuum pump for this from AliExpress.

Benno

Thanks for the suggestion but a vacuum pump would need to pull from the top which would again remove the shield of the module. I need to grip from the sides.

On the big things I tend to work upside down and let gravity remove it from the board. I do have some wide mouth grippers I have made also, but tend not to use them.

[selcuk]

I removed some Sara modules in the past. You may try to heat them with hot air from the bottom side of the PCB in order not to heat the shield first. When the solder melts, you can grab it with thin tweezers from the side. Be careful not to push it over other components.

[Smokey]

I've had to rework a bunch of ESP32 SOM recently.  I've been using leaded solder on these prototype boards, so that might explain this, but I've never had an ESP32 shield/can desolder before the SOM board let loose.

I have a pair of right angle tweezers that open really wide.  I'd probably go with that if I wasn't using the vacuum pickup on the hot air station.

[davegravy]

I removed some Sara modules in the past. You may try to heat them with hot air from the bottom side of the PCB in order not to heat the shield first. When the solder melts, you can grab it with thin tweezers from the side. Be careful not to push it over other components.

I was using a hot plate below with hot air above to try and get even heating. Suppose I could skip the hot air next time but regardless I have lots of small components close to the module so a tool to accurately and easily do the pickup would be nice.

[davegravy]

I've had to rework a bunch of ESP32 SOM recently.  I've been using leaded solder on these prototype boards, so that might explain this, but I've never had an ESP32 shield/can desolder before the SOM board let loose.

I have a pair of right angle tweezers that open really wide.  I'd probably go with that if I wasn't using the vacuum pickup on the hot air station.

Do you happen to know the make and model of tweezers? I've scoured the net but nothing advertises as "wide opening". I'm considering buying a cheap pair and bending them to my will.

[davegravy]

My mother in law had the idea to wedge a foam earplug between the tines of some tweezers to get a wider grip. Tried it and seems to work well.

[Smokey]

I've had to rework a bunch of ESP32 SOM recently.  I've been using leaded solder on these prototype boards, so that might explain this, but I've never had an ESP32 shield/can desolder before the SOM board let loose.

I have a pair of right angle tweezers that open really wide.  I'd probably go with that if I wasn't using the vacuum pickup on the hot air station.

Do you happen to know the make and model of tweezers? I've scoured the net but nothing advertises as "wide opening". I'm considering buying a cheap pair and bending them to my will.

I'm pretty sure I scored these at a swap meet for like $1.  They actually aren't very good tweezers except for stuff like this.  I think you are on to the right track with the bend it yourself method.