Adrian's Digital Basement

[Darklord]

So I know many of you have probably watched this Youtube channel but
the first section here is actually about Atari 8bits.

How come I never get stuff donated like this?

[rubber_jonnie]

I literally just watched it, so many machines I want!

[Laupert]

Adrian is one of my favorite Youtubers! The IBM and Apple stuff don't interest me that much, but based on yesterdays unboxing I expect to see several of my favorite 8-bit machines on his show now

[cmorley]

I used to watch because of the big variety of machines but then saw a video where he was an avid proponent of cap twisting & stopped watching from then on.

[DoG]

... but then saw a video where he was an avid proponent of cap twisting...

I still watch him but I just skip forward when he start the twisting action.

[Laupert]

I used to watch because of the big variety of machines but then saw a video where he was an avid proponent of cap twisting & stopped watching from then on.

I don't really get why people do that. It's obviously harmful for the pcb and I cannot even understand it would be any easier than proper desoldering.

[tzok]

For leaked SMD caps I know no safer method. Boiling leaked electrolyte with a soldering iron is not good for the PCB either, and melting oxidized solder is very hard to impossible.

[rubber_jonnie]

I'm going to be honest and say I have used the twist off method on several occasions now and it is perfectly safe as long as you only twist the can and not the black plastic part below it.

It worked 100% fine for my Mac Classic, Amiga 1200 and Amstrad Alt-386.

If you twist just the can, the leads break off cleanly where they join the plates inside and you have an easy to remove solder contact.

If you grab the black plastic piece as well it is likely to damage the PCB.

[DoG]

You still need to desolder the legs that's left behind so why twist it in the first place?

[rubber_jonnie]

You still need to desolder the legs that's left behind so why twist it in the first place?

It gives you better access to the pads for desoldering with the can removed which was certainly the case on myA1200. This isn't for standard through hole caps, just the pad mounted trashcans.