Hello, just like the title says, how do you remove the metal around a pinless CPU socket? First of all let me explain what I'm talking about. The CPU socket has 3 pieces of metal that work together to hold the CPU on top of the socket. These we will call the "clasp", "lock arm", and "base". The clasp and lock arm are the "moving" pieces and are easy to separate from the board. Its the base that I have difficulty with. Prying, chiseling, bending, etc., results in me tearing up a portion of the socket itself and in some cases having pieces containing pins coming right off the board. I always say, you can't break broken, but in this case the board could end up being devalued.

Possible answers:
1: Cut the metal base in opposing corners with a cutoff wheel and slide the pieces out.
2: Leave the base on and live with the board being devalued, due to excess metal. I don't like this one, because I take the time to remove all the excess metal, plastic, and aluminum I can.

Thanks in advance. And yes I did a search but was unsuccessful, and until recently my buyer didn't care.



Brent