How do you pull your ICs??

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Stupid question but, I was once told:

"There are NO stupid questions... just stupid people who don't ask questions!"

So, just like the subject says:

How do you pull your ICs off of the board? 8-pin, 14-pin, 16-pin, etc. I just usually use small screwdrivers to pry it up oh so softly but there must be a better way 

Is there a cheap tool or something DIY that can be used?

[defaced]

Yep, there's a better way.  It's called an IC puller.  Mine looks like this:

http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=CPULLER

[Mark Hammer]

yes, in fact even Radio Shack sells one!  It's basically a pair of tweezers with the arms bent in at the ends, so you grip the chip.

I have one, but, like yourself, if I have a clear path, with no other components in the way, I'll just slip the end of the small flat-head screwdriver I use for adjusting the set screws on control knobs under the end of the chip and gently rock it loose.

[slacker]

Small screwdriver works fine for me.

[B Tremblay]

zircon-encrusted tweezers

[Galego]

I use the screwdriver method as well. I has worked so well so far, I don't feel the need to waste my money on a specific tool just for that.

[rockhorst]

There's also a tool to straighten the legs!

[ubersam]

I used to just use my fingers to pull IC's out but after getting the pins stuck into my thumb i decided to find a better way... started with a small flat head screw driver but now I use an IC puller

[Govmnt_Lacky]

There's also a tool to straighten the legs!

I DEFINITELY like the IC pin straightening tool 

I dont know how many times I have tried to place an IC into a socket and yelled out ALL 7 of George Carlin's dirty words because I could not gett all if the legs to seat correctly.

@Mark/Ian

I find that anytime I use the jeweler screwdriver approach, I always seem to get one side of the DIP stuck in the socket. Then, when I apply enough force to free it, I end up using my hand anyways (STATIC hazard  ) to finish the removal. Then, there are bent pins on the IC.

[slacker]

The screwdriver method works best if, like Mark said, you can go in flat under the chip, just push it all the way through and the chip should pretty much pop straight upwards.

[Paul Marossy]

I just use a small screwdriver to pry up both ends of the chip and then pull it out of the socket. Unrefined, but it's been working fine for me since 2001... 

[joegagan]

just saw off the legs , then reattach in your local opamp triage center.

[R.G.]

There is a long U shaped removal tool intended to fit over the non-leg ends of the chip, with small hooks to fit under the body. Works great.

Mine's about 20 years old now. They may be hard to find now that pin-in-hole electronics is beginning to dry up.

[R.G.]

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=16838&productId=16838

[Paul Marossy]

just saw off the legs , then reattach in your local opamp triage center.

[Perrow]

They may be hard to find now that pin-in-hole electronics is beginning to dry up.

There are ones in the "leg straightener" link (Futurlec).

[oldschoolanalog]

Tweezer type w/"bent ends". Well worth the 2 bucks.
Straighten the legs? Proto board.

[PRR]

> I end up using my hand anyways (STATIC hazard)

Assuming your hand is also all over ground (case, jacks, etc), there is no static problem.