Falcon Restoration Project

[hunsra]

@HigashiJun I looked again and saw the pad repair section of the thread you linked. Thanks for pointing me that way. I still think it's a bit beyond my skill level, but I'm considering trying.

[HigashiJun]

...but I couldn't find the information about new surface mount pads (I probably need to look again).

I make them myself with a copper foil.

[hunsra]

More updates:

I have been having a very difficult time installing the new CPU. I'm not very experienced with soldering SMT devices, and have never dealt with an IC with pins so small and close together. When I soldered the new CPU to the board, there were a few bridges I needed to resolve. That's when the trouble started. I wasn't able to quickly remove the bridges and ended up damaging a few pads and bending some of the pin. Trying to resolve these issues just made them worse :(.

So, I decided I'd try to remove the new CPU. I was able to de-solder the original CPU with very little trouble, but the new one won't seem to come off no matter how long I keep it under hot air :x. The only thing I can think of is the new solder is different than the old solder. I'm afraid I'm going to damage the board further if I continue to soak it with heat from the hot air tool. Are there any suggestions from the group on how I can try to salvage the board and get the new CPU off?

Thanks again for all the help!

[Steve]

@hunsra after reading your last message I would highly suggest getting someone to do it for you. I think you should have attempted the dremel method first. I am surprised you are attempting something like this without experience in all honesty. (sorry if that sounds like a 'telling off' I don't mean it to sound that way)

There is one other very good method of removing SMD chips like these. You can get a very-low-melting-temp solder called Bismuth, here is a video showing you how:




I've used it many times and it's my preferred method in many cases. You don't need the chip quik brand, just a good flux, and some standard bismuth low temp solder.

[hunsra]

@hunsra after reading your last message I would highly suggest getting someone to do it for you. I think you should have attempted the dremel method first. I am surprised you are attempting something like this without experience in all honesty. (sorry if that sounds like a 'telling off' I don't mean it to sound that way)

Yeah, in hindsight I definitely agree I should have tried the other way first. In my mind, this option seemed less risky, but my inexperience lead to poor judgement. At least I'm learning something in the process. Hopefully it wasn't a fatal mistake.

I watched the Dave Jones video you linked and I'll give that a shot. I don't have much choice at this point, as far as I can tell.

Thanks for the advice!

[DoG]

Sticky flux and solder braid is your best friend when doing smd work. It should help you dealing with bridges on pins.

[exxos]

Like @Steve suggested in finding someone else to do the work. Find a local SMT rework company who have proper x-ray machines and can do track repairs. As by the sounds of it your already in a mess and it's getting worse. As things are not going well, my advise is to simply stop.

[hunsra]

Like @Steve suggested in finding someone else to do the work. Find a local SMT rework company who have proper x-ray machines and can do track repairs. As by the sounds of it your already in a mess and it's getting worse. As things are not going well, my advise is to simply stop.

Sound advice. I may indeed do that. Thanks.

[hunsra]

Sticky flux and solder braid is your best friend when doing smd work. It should help you dealing with bridges on pins.

Thanks. I was using both of those throughout the process. Unfortunately, the issue isn't with the tools, it's with my lack of skill and experience. I'm going to take the advice I'm getting from @Steve and @exxos and try to find a local SMT repair company to do the rest of the work before I do any more damage.

[HigashiJun]

As things are not going well, my advise is to simply stop.

+1