Question, opinions or maybe even a poll?

[tlccomp]

When dealing with surface mount chips soldered on boards
is the preference to desolder them or to cut the board up
around the chip using a bandsaw?

I would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

[Marcin]

Definitely desolder is my opinion. My life without heat gun is same as without one hand

[JAC]

I always prefer to keep the board if possible, showing the chip in context, but many boards are big, so this is not always an option. I prefer a clean cut of the board around the chip with some space. A bandsaw will do this nicely - watch your fingers!

I do not like SMD chips loose, the pins are too easily damaged and they look bad. A chip on a bit of board looks much nicer.

[debs3759]

I don't like desoldered chips unless I consider them really rare. I prefer to either have NOS or the whole board so I ahve a chance of testing my chips. A chip that would cost 100's of $$$ might be acceptable if carefully desoldered, as at that sort of value the chip will still have some value (but only if carefully removed and not damaged from too much heat - I like working chips more than just pretty).

[CPUShack]

desoldered for sure,

[JAC]

[Mixeur]

if it is well or perfect desoldered (better than I could do myself), I prefer them desoldered.

[CPUShack]

[JAC]

[jd]

Doesn't make a bit of difference to me, if I find that theres a bit of solder left on the chip and it bothers me that badly, I simply take out the gun and clean it !


...no big deal really


Sometimes tho, I will actualy prefer it left onboard for better preservation, and pending on the enviroment the chip is surrounded by!




JD

[debs3759]

I have part of a tray for PQFP80 chips (enough for 30 chips) and two trays for PQFP196 chips (21 chips per tray), so for me keeping them in good condition is easy (until I get too many for the amount of trays, that is...). Of course, there are other sizes that I don't yet have trays for

[Oddie_]

[FDIV]

I usualy desolder because I think they look like crap with little poorly cut peices of board hanging on them. Occasionally I will also cut the leads with a utility knife as close to the board as possible. I might change my method if I found a chip that had substantial value though. Most are hardly worth anything.

[JAC]

I display mine electronically, so it is easy to crop to the chip view, I dont mind a bit of hacked board.

[Marcin]

Most of chips have description from two sides. How we check bottom when it will be soldered ? Agree with CPUShack soldered means more heavy, harder to storage.