How do you get heatsinks off creamic chips?

I have several older creamic cpu's with heatsinks stuck on them. They wont budge and I dont want to break them so is there an easy way to get them off?

I use a pair of tin snips and just cut along the edge between the heatsink and ceramic cpu. Works for me

Have you tried using a chisel and a hammer? What about tin snips? (haha, i'm having a hard time figuring that one too ; )

I always try to remove the heat sink while the CPU is still firmly in it's socket, as it's easier to hold.

Originally Posted by DiamondN

I always try to remove the heat sink while the CPU is still firmly in it's socket, as it's easier to hold.

haha, hit it just right, and the pins'll come off with it ; )

Originally Posted by freonjoe

I tried to twist a Pentium 1 while it was still in the socket. The heatsink stayed on but now I have 1 pinless Pentium ceramic!

haha! I thought they were tougher than that ; ) Did you try releasing the catch, and bumping it around to get the pins out ?

Originally Posted by jghilino

has anyone tried a heatgun on them to soften up the thermal paste/glue?

I'm wondering if, once you get one off, can it be put back on ? I started knocking the steel tops off some a while back, and then realized i might need to use some of them

I use a heat gun. I can desolder with it also.