cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/38669987

I accidentally soldered a switch on crooked. I got the switch off the board but i’m having trouble cleaning out the holes so i can put a new switch in.

Can this switch footprint be saved after being clogged with solder and melted a little, or should i try to get the other switches off and start over on a new board?

And what’s the best way to desolder these switches if i have to remove the rest?

  • Dave.@aussie.zone
    2·
    26 days ago

    Lots of options here.

    You can use a few strands of clean copper wire to clear the hole. Heat the solder with your soldering iron and poke the wire through.

    Alternatively , you can heat the solder and then quickly apply a strong puff of air via a straw or ballpoint pen casing to the hole. That will blow the solder out the other side.

    You can ALSO just place the new switch on the hole and heat the solder and push the pins through, as long as there are one or two clear holes to get the alignment right.