Tried hot air rework on a stubborn ground plane and it actually saved the board

Had this old power supply board from a 90s monitor that just would not let go of a solder joint on the ground plane. Hit it with my cheap 858D for like 5 minutes and nothing. Then I remembered a tip from a dude on here about preheating the board on a griddle. Set my kitchen griddle to 150F, let the board sit for 10 minutes, then hit it with the hot air. Joint flowed in 20 seconds tops. Anyone else use a griddle or am I crazy?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_sanchez4d ago

My 858D and I have definitely shared some awkward 5 minute stares at stubborn joints. The griddle trick works almost too well, makes me wonder if I should just cook breakfast on it while waiting for solder to melt. Glad your monitor board lived to see another day.

the_dylan3d ago

Preheat the board on a griddle at 150F for a few minutes first - makes those joints way easier.