Boss HF-2 Mod - Desoldering / Removing Chips

[Mcentee2]

I have a Fromel Boss HF-2 mod on its way and am wondering the best way to remove the existing ICs (4558 IIRC), dual in line 4 pin from the Boss PCB.

This is one thing  I really don't want to mess up so I have been practising on a couple of spare Joyo PCBs with desoldering braid and can remove single caps and resistors ok.

It seems I am not as good at removing the DIP chips though!

What have you guys done for this? 

Just snipped the IC legs and treat each remaining leg as a single removal?

Is there an easy way to save the old chip just in case.

I have a desoldering pump/sucker on its way as well so I can try that.....

[allesz]

Hallo, I will give you an advice, not from me, but from Dirk Hendrik: cut the legs of the IC so you can desolder them one by one.
Clean the holes and then put on an IC socket.
Never done it myself, but it "sounds" good.

[allesz]

Sorry, I just reread your question more carefully
You had already the right idea; yes, the old IC will be probably lost this way. Not a big loss btw.

[sominka]

4558 IIRC
Readily available. Toss the old ones and try new. 

[thermionix]

I agree with sominka, but I have had good luck using a solder sucker/desoldering pump (I can hardly use the braid).  You'll get most of the solder out of the hole, the IC leg will still be lightly soldered to one side of the hole, push with your fingernail to crack the remaining solder joint.  Might not work so well if the holes are really small.

[marcelomd]

Every time I tried to save anything with more than 2 pins I ended ripping the PCB traces. Not worth it for a 4558.

IF you reeeeally want to try, the way I saw people doing is a big blob of solder that covers all pins at the same time so the device just falls off the board. There are specialized tools for that.

IMMV

[Mcentee2]

Thanks all, sounds in general easiest and safest for the health of the PCB is to cut the legs.

I will attempt a full removal first and cut my losses if that doesn't work out straight away.

[drummer4gc]

Hot clean iron, good solder sucker, and practice. I sometimes give each pin a little nudge toward the middle of the hole while heating up the solder, then suck it up - that'll help you avoid having the pin stuck to one side of the hole. You should be able to get all these out without damaging anything, but practice first. Some PCBs have solder pads and traces that love to come up and off if you look at them funny, but I don't usually have that issue with Boss boards.

[thermionix]

Might not work so well if the holes are really small.

I should probably add "might not work at all with plated-through holes."  Try it like drummer4gc suggests, but yeah abandon if it doesn't work out fast, save the PCB not the 45-cent opamp.