[oab_au]

Originally Posted by longassname

I'm pretty good at desoldering; I don't have any problems removing the surface mounts. I think your euro and jdm tcu's might not be coated but the usdm tcus are coated after assembly--that's really the annoying thing about socketing them. It costs a fortune in solvent getting them stripped before desoldering.

I guess now is a good time to give tips to anyone who's going to socket a US tcu. Don't even try desoldering/soldering until after you clean off the coating. Assuming you aren't experienced at desoldering, do what Phil does and cut the legs of the surface mount with an exacto knife instead of desoldering it (cut along the rom, not the pcb). If you do a clean job of cutting the legs you shouldn't even have to desolder them. You still have to clean the coating off of the through holes for the dip chip before you can empty them and solder in the socket.

I just use a 0.8 mm pin drill, to drill through the solder holes for the socket. Saves heating the board too much while you suck the solder out.

Harvey.