In message , John
Rumm writes

I was toying with doing a wiki article on component level repair of
electronic stuff, since there seems to be so much otherwise decent kit
that dies these days for silly reasons like failing capacitors etc.


A few random thoughts - more to follow


Repair would entail correct diagnosis of the fault

Some boards are so cheaply built that unless you are good with a
soldering iron, you can detach a pad from the pcb

Decent equipment and practice are essential if you are not going to do
more harm than good. Attacking a PCB by someone who is inexperienced is
liable to end in tears


plated through holes, once the component lead is removed, if you then
reapply solder to the joint and can clean the hole out better with a
solder sucker

Surface mount devices are often glued to the pcb


for surface mounted devices, you can now buy a budget hot air gun

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/zd-9...-rework-statio
n/dp/SD01139?in_merch=Featured%20Products&MER=e-bb45-00001001

You can also buy a budget desoldering station if you want a new toy.
We've been using one for a couple of months now and it hasn't fallen
apart yet

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d006...dp/SD01384?in_
merch=Featured%20Products&MER=e-bb45-00001001



--
geoff