"Jeff Liebermann" wrote in message
...

On Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:56:05 +1000, "Chas" wrote:

Carefully drill the solder out with a PCB drill slightly smaller than the
hole.

Bad idea. That usually rips out the plating in the hole. The drill
collects a mix of solder and copper around the outside, which galls
together with the solder plating inside the hole, and eventually rips
out the plating. Even if you can find a workable drill, keeping the
drill exactly perpendicular to the PCB is quite difficult.


***I'm with those against drilling - maybe with a drill bit *MUCH* smaller
than the hole, but if the cutting tip hits a hard obstruction it'll take
chunks out of the through plate wall in preference.