To bend or not to bend...leads?

[pucho812]

since this joke was already done I edited mine out.

 

[Mbira]

Hmm, you've never lifted the lead of an SOIC or SSOP device off of the pad, and then tacked a wire to the lead?

Actually I have...and it was hard! :-D

 

[ruffrecords]

PPS: Back in the 80's at one of my businesses we had work stations for stuffing TH PCB that had a foam rubber clamp that would hold the TH components in place when you turned the PCB upside down to solder... It worked well enough for mostly flat PCB.

I rememeber those. They are still available.

http://uk.farnell.com/ideal-tek/pcsa-1/pcb-assembly-jig-esd/dp/4681745

Edit: Or you could DIY one:

http://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/september2011_Collier

Cheers

Ian

 

[Phrazemaster]

Thanks again fellas; really great info!!

Mike

 

[sodderboy]

Oh and  be careful with those hand-hand solder suckers as they are quite viscious and easily lift the track.  To make it less so, slide a silicon rubber sleeve over the end of the PTFE sucker head and use it at a slight angle so you suck some air in as well as the solder when triggered.  This also saves wear on the PTFE  heads. 

I love this suggestion!  I threw some sleeves in the de-soldering kit.  I can resurrect my beloved mojo-laden Paladin 1701.
Mike