I tried using this heated air gun today. To those not familiar, here's how it looks:
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(pictured is a similar unit that I sold a long time ago).It is a FANTASTIC tool for component removal. What it does is it blows air at 900F, blows away all solder, removing it completely. The components do not seem to be affected too much. The way I used it was to blow away solder from all holes, one by one, and then I gently pull out the component, as if it was never soldered.
It needs a compressor to operate. Which I have:
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The only concern I have is a health concern of blowing away hot molten solder that possibly contains lead, in small caplets. Seems much worse than plain soldering. I would only use it in a garage.
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>> I am curious if anyone tried removing electronic
>> components with a "hot air gun". I have a Raytheon RayChem
>> HT-900B "Compressed air heater", which is supposed to blow
>> hot air at temperature of about 900F from a 1/8" ID or so
>> nozzle. It requires a compressor, which I have.
>
>
> This Raychem gun is intended for use with solder sleeves (a
> length of heat shrink tubing with a preformed ring of
> solder in the center.) Solder sleeves are used for
> applications such as attaching a jumper to the braid of a
> coax cable. These guns run quite hot and I suspect would
> easily damage a circuit board.
>
> Be sure to use dry compressed air. Condensed drops of water
> in the air supply can crack the heating element, which is
> expensive.
>
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