Thread: The flashlight sticky

I use a hot air attachment on a gas soldering iron and heat for about 20-30 seconds. As is heats I press down on the dome with a hollow ground jewellers screwdriver; this tests the softness and when soft enough the edges of the dome lift off the die. Then a gentle lift on the edge opposite the fine connecting wires inside sees the dome just pop off. The solder melting is not an issue as if you hold the pressure on the dome as it cools excess solder will be squeezed out and improve heat sinking. Just clean off the excess. I hold the board in little wooden soft jaws in a vice for insulation.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I use a hot air attachment on a gas soldering iron and heat for about 20-30 seconds. As is heats I press down on the dome with a hollow ground jewellers screwdriver; this tests the softness and when soft enough the edges of the dome lift off the die. Then a gentle lift on the edge opposite the fine connecting wires inside sees the dome just pop off. The solder melting is not an issue as if you hold the pressure on the dome as it cools excess solder will be squeezed out and improve heat sinking. Just clean off the excess. I hold the board in little wooden soft jaws in a vice for insulation.

Right... Do you have (or know where I can easily get) new LED's if it goes wrong?