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My uncle told me to always use a heat gun on old console capacitors
He said it was the only way to get them out clean. I tried it on a Sega Genesis last week and lifted three pads right off the board. I had to spend two hours doing trace repairs with wire. Now I just use my soldering iron and low melt solder like everyone else. Has anyone else had a bad tip from a family member that cost them time?
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bettym112mo ago
Honestly, lifting pads is more about the technique than the tool. A heat gun can work if you're really careful and keep it moving, but it's so easy to overheat the board. Tbh, I've had better luck with a good soldering iron and adding fresh solder to each joint first.
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jamie_adams13d ago
Adding fresh solder first is a game changer for old caps. The low melt stuff really helps spread the heat evenly so you're not just torching one spot. Heat guns are for preheating boards, not yanking parts out.
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