Vias made easy

[dungbeetle46]

dont know if anyone else has tried this but I got sick of scratching the vias with a blade and getting them just right for solder to stick, so I took out my arlec engraving pencil and put in the smallest engraver and 1/2 second on the via and perfect, I tested on an old board and did 30 or more vias this way and got the solder to stick to everyone straight away, perfect clean ready to solder vias with the push of a button.
might make it easier for someone.
cheers

[gigge]

Good tips !!

And whit the Rework Wand (Flux) pens, it stick really good.
just a halv sec and solder is OK!!

I belive this 2 methods combined are the best !!

[EspeN]

Yeah, i use FLUX too.. Flux is kickass. dont need to clean anything before solder :)

[danwood76]

When you flux the area you are cleaning it ;)

regards,
Danny

[N£TM£ÇH]

thats a nice tip for newbies.. would be nice to have a toll that only scratchs the via.. sometimes when using a razorblade you can scratch other circuits next to the via. Hmm maybe we should start marketing these.. lol

[dungbeetle46]

thats a nice tip for newbies.. would be nice to have a toll that only scratchs the via.. sometimes when using a razorblade you can scratch other circuits next to the via. Hmm maybe we should start marketing these.. lol


the bit that i use in the engraver is like a very small countersink and it only scratches out the via which is good, I know what you mean with the blade, i was always worried if you scratched a small bit of ground next to via and then soldered, it may short out.

I have attached a pic of bit end. the conical end actually fits in the via and reems it out

[donmartin]

I first always used a very small screw bit, and spinned it by hand ones carfully and done, your ready to solder.

Now, I dont use any tool at all, nor flux. there´s a simple technique to do it without tools. Just `drop` some solder in the hole inside the round via. the heat will destroy the layer off film or wathever is on them. Then you can simply smear the drop over the via and-or add some more. (most of the time the tin spreads automaticaly as it doesnt attach to the non metal in the hole)

[SDU101]

Is it really that hard to buy a fiberglass pen to scratch the vias with? Dunno why people are using razor blades to scratch off the coating. An engraving tool will work, but I'm not too comfortable with using one myself, in case I slip and maybe scratch/cut off a pcb track nearby. Manual hand work is always best for small delicate work. But in that sense, a engraving tool will probably make good track cutters for when you need to install the comsoft/subzero fix.