Don: Well, since you put this out to public view, I will answer in public. Please note my admonition to BE CAREFUL, and my suggestion to use a pin vise, not a powered device. There is no need for a complicated set of "rules of behavior" when common sense will do.
If you are so concerned about damaging the grommet, then please note that the SHANK end of a fine circuit-board drill-bit is just as effective as the stainless steel needle you recommend...it also will not be wetted by the melted solder...and is probably infinitely more available than a stainless needle. The dominant part of my advice was to use solder braid early and often, and that a fancy desoldering station is, in the main, unnecessary for the casual repair of a circuit-board blunder. My suspicion is that most people who do HB construction have the necessary tools at hand. My opinion (since we are talking about personal opinions or choices) is that anyone foolish enough to drill out a thru-plated hole probably doesn't know which end of a screwdriver to hammer on anyhow. John Ragle -- W1ZI ===== On 9/13/2011 11:48 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > John, > > Each to his own choices, but I would NEVER use a drill of any sort in a > thru-plated hole Even if the trace is only on one side (particularly on > the component side), I would not take the chance. Consider the > situation where the PC trace is only on the component side of the board > - you would normally solder on the opposite side, but if the thru-plated > hole has been damaged, you must be aware that the lead must be soldered > on the component side to complete the circuit - that is often difficult > if the component is something like an electrolytic capacitor that sits > right down on the board and you cannot solder under it. The only cure > is to repair the break with point to point wire. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 9/13/2011 9:18 AM, John Ragle wrote: >> A tiny drill-bit can be used to clear >> remaining solder out of the holes, BUT BE CAREFUL not to cut away the >> actual hole plating, as this may break a needed connection between the >> top and bottom layers of the PC board. I use a "pin vise" for this kind >> of operation, not a Dremel or other power device. >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > -- Sent from my lovely old Dell XPS 420 -- Sent from my lovely old Dell XPS 420 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
