Better Way To Remove an IC Chip

I’ve read a few posters’ methods on how to remove non-soldered IC chips but I’m yet remove one without breaking it in half (I take that back, if I use a razor on the pins 1st it works).This would be a great video tutorial if someone had the time but let me ask some questions.



1) Do you attack the pins holding the IC chip first?
2) If you use a flathead & hammer, do you place the circuit board in a vice? And do you hit it from the sides or front/back?
3) If anyone has ever used an ‘IC-chip puller’ does it work very well? Do you still need to detach the pins or does the tool do it for you?

you can tell if it's sitting in a socket or not, unless it's pressed in place with no visible socket. I'm fairly certain, although it's been several years since I've scrapped a number (in the hundreds) of older boards from all types computers, servers, etc., fairly certain that a pick(like an ice pick, only stronger and maybe not quite as sharp ; ) inserted in each side, and pried upwards(age can stick them more) should ease them right on out of there almost undamaged

I bet a dremel with a cutoff wheel would zip them right out. My concern would be stirring up lead dust from the solder.

But like I tell people, we all die sometime.

This is were a angle grinder with a metal cut off blade comes in handy. Turn the board over and run the blade right along the solder the chip will fall right off. Not enough lead dust to hurt you. I've had lead fishing weights in my mouth since I was a kid. Afraid of a little dust wear a dust mask.

so after you grind them real fast the chips just pop out? im with you on the lead thing, me and my pops always made our own and everyone uses split-shots with there mouth.

Yup useto throw a cast net, would hold that wieght in my mouth for 15-20 minites sometimes

I dont knwo how many thousand split shot sinkers i have opened and closed with my teeth.. 33 years worth... Cant be bad for ya right...lol

Try using a sharp wood chisel at an angle to cut the pins. Works great on the flat, black ICs with lots of pins.

Mike

I've cheated death several times.

Ohh yeah, I am too lazy to cross the road.

Best method for me so far is with an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. I break the board by hand or with pliers to one edge of a soldered eprom and use an angle grinder to cut the pins on the upper surface of the board. For soldered IC chips I just cut each edge of the square with the grinder and they fall right off. I do this out doors and put a fan on the edge of the workstation to minimize the dust I'm breathing.

I have a flathead screwdriver that has been bent at a weird angle (most likely from me trying to use it to pry the suckers off) so I just wedge the curved side under the chip and twist my wrist. If that doesn't work - there are some swear words interjected here and I get more leverage and try again. If it still doesn't work the board usually goes flying across the room with a quick one liner about it's mother/sister/relative hitting the wall and sitting there until my boyfriend (the logical one) gathers it up and gets them off. I'm not sure what he does because at this point I better not see that board again until I'm packing it into a box to ship.

personaly i use a sharp wood chisel an a masonary hammer to crush up to boards to throw it in my cardboard bin to save space in my unit i work out of