Best way to desolder a broken mouse mirco switch and a broken mini USB port?

[Newblesse Obblige]

I'm planning to fix my G102 by replacing the switches of the mouse and the remove the mini USB port of the salvage PCB from a external drive.

Should I use a Solder wick only or the old-fashion way(Desolering pump) for a beginner? I'm not really a beginner like idk how to use a soldering gun, I just rarely solder or desolder things.

 

Other might say, just buy USB to SATA cable and contact customer support for the mouse. My answer is: I'm just bored. I want to do something that I can waste my time rather than sitting in front of the computer all day(reducing my time in front of the computer). Kinda like a hobby perhaps. plus, (answer to the mouse issue) RMA in my country is bad. I had a bad experience with it last 4 years ago AND the hassle is gonna be amplified due to the human malware(couriers nowadays have a random and limited work days and office/working hour, and the location of the courier is usually almost 25km away with high traffic/ very busy streets). This is sort of a warm up to what I'm planning to do for months, modding my mechanical keyboard.

[Levent]

I use solder wick for small components (like mini usb) however soldering them (and also desoldering them) with small head heat gun is a LOT easier. Make sure you are not burning the PCB, its really easy with non heat controlled soldering irons.

[Newblesse Obblige]

2 minutes ago, Levent said:

I use solder wick for small components (like mini usb) however soldering them (and also desoldering them) with small head heat gun is a LOT more easier. Make sure you are not burning the PCB, its really easy with non heat controlled soldering irons.

I'm using a basic 40w soldering gun. Is it enough? Will the PCB get easily burnt?

EDIT: I've never used a soldering wick but I watch some tutorials and it seem easy though.

Edited July 25, 2020 by 5GigaaHertz

[Levent]

Just now, 5GigaaHertz said:

I'm using a basic 40w soldering gun. Is it enough? Will the PCB get easily burnt?

As I said, its easy to do so with no heat control. Wattage only matters if you are soldering thick wires or components. I am using a 30W soldering iron and it works wonders (TS80 if you are wondering).

[Newblesse Obblige]

2 minutes ago, Levent said:

As I said, its easy to do so with no heat control. Wattage only matters if you are soldering thick wires or components. I am using a 30W soldering iron and it works wonders (TS80 if you are wondering).

tbh, I've never used a soldering wick but I watch some tutorials on YT and it seem easy though.

EDIT: that soldering iron you mentioned looks cool and handy but it is expensive. I would bought that if I have gone serious with this hobby. 

[SuperCloneRanger]

For thru hole components go with the solder sucker. For SMD stuff hot air is the preferred method but you can do it with an iron. Without temp control this will likely damage the connector (melt the plastic inside it), so rather than trying to transplant the usb port buy a new replacement on ebay and use this method to replace the faulty one.

 

Add some good 60/40 leaded solder to the pins, move your iron quickly but carefully across the pins getting all the solder molten, then using tweezers lift the connector off the board. Use solder wick to clean up the pads. Solder new connector on.

 

[Newblesse Obblige]

4 minutes ago, SuperCloneRanger said:

For thru hole components go with the solder sucker. For SMD stuff hot air is the preferred method but you can do it with an iron. Without temp control this will likely damage the connector (melt the plastic inside it), so rather than trying to transplant the usb port buy a new replacement on ebay and use this method to replace the faulty one.

 

Add some good 60/40 leaded solder to the pins, move your iron quickly but carefully across the pins getting all the solder molten, then using tweezers lift the connector off the board. Use solder wick to clean up the pads. Solder new connector on.

 

the SMD you are referring to is the USB port right? also i'm planning to just solder a wire instead of soldering a new USB port but the wire seems to big for the USB port pins

[Newblesse Obblige]

10 minutes ago, James Evens said:

For a beginner probably (if possible) cutting the legs is the best option. If not preheat the PCB to make it easier.

Which soldering wick did you bought?  Used once a MG chemical one which left copper strains everywhere  while the Felder one just works. Also use quality solder wire or add additional flux (and remove once done to prevent long term damage).

 

If you plan to do such repairs more regularly: buy some enamelled copper wire. The insulation is automatically removed during the soldering process.

Does side cutting pliers work for cutting the legs? How do you preheat a PCB? I don't have the proper soldering tools because I rarely do this kind of stuff like I just do this whenever something broke (this problem for example). 

 

I haven't bought a soldering wick yet but this what im planning to buy(im not form the US btw): https://shopee.ph/Desoldering-Wick-for-Solder-Electronics-2mm-wide-and-1.5m-long-i.20469516.827088957. I chose this because the store is located in my country so the shipping time is faster. 

Edited July 25, 2020 by 5GigaaHertz

[SuperCloneRanger]

6 hours ago, 5GigaaHertz said:

Does side cutting pliers work for cutting the legs?

Depends on how big they are, they need to be fine enough to fit in.

 

Like these:

https://shopee.ph/GUNDAM-TOOLS-SIDE-CUTTER-PLATO-i.8710520.5005392573

6 hours ago, 5GigaaHertz said:

How do you preheat a PCB?

 

6 hours ago, James Evens said:

preheat the PCB to make it easier.

Preheating can make soldering easier on large multi layer boards but its really not necessary on the simple double sided boards your soldiering.

 

6 hours ago, 5GigaaHertz said:

i'm planning to just solder a wire instead of soldering a new USB port but the wire seems to big for the USB port pins

You should definitely get some solid core or enamel wire with a similar width as the pads your soldering. Using wire that is too thick could short out on nearby pads.

 

This should work, 22AWG is 0.6mm:

https://shopee.ph/Stranded-Solid-Wire-22-AWG-1Meter-Electrical-Copper-Cable-LED-Audio-DIY-Electronics-Projects-i.172443349.4409551741

 

6 hours ago, 5GigaaHertz said:

I haven't bought a soldering wick yet but this what im planning to buy

A lot of beginners in electronics believe solder wick doesn't work very well because they buy the cheapest stuff they can find.

 

The cp-2015 sometimes branded goot wick is well liked:

https://shopee.ph/New-Solder-Wick-CP-2015-i.176810434.5805626528

 

Finally if your planning on making this a hobby i highly recommend investing in a good soldering station. The hakko clones a relatively cheap and work well.

 

Like this: 

https://shopee.ph/★COME★1-Set-967-Electric-Rework-Soldering-Station-Iron-LCD-Display-SMD-Desoldering-i.205805612.7124018630

 

Or if you plan on learning SMD soldering you can get an iron and hot air combo:

https://shopee.ph/【Original】750W-Soldering-Iron-Hot-Air-Station-Digital-SMD-Solder-Rework-Heater-i.214394526.3815620878

 

https://shopee.ph/8586-220V-110V-Thermostatic-Electric-Soldering-Iron-2-In-1-Solder-Station-Hot-Air-Gun-With-Iron-Tip-Solder-Wire-Tweezers-Heater-i.83100716.1394686940

 

EDIT: Shop around you may find this stuff cheaper elsewhere, I only used the shop you linked because i don't know anything about shopping in the Philippines.

[Newblesse Obblige]

4 hours ago, SuperCloneRanger said:

Depends on how big they are, they need to be fine enough to fit in.

 

Like these:

https://shopee.ph/GUNDAM-TOOLS-SIDE-CUTTER-PLATO-i.8710520.5005392573

 

Preheating can make soldering easier on large multi layer boards but its really not necessary on the simple double sided boards your soldiering.

 

You should definitely get some solid core or enamel wire with a similar width as the pads your soldering. Using wire that is too thick could short out on nearby pads.

 

This should work, 22AWG is 0.6mm:

https://shopee.ph/Stranded-Solid-Wire-22-AWG-1Meter-Electrical-Copper-Cable-LED-Audio-DIY-Electronics-Projects-i.172443349.4409551741

 

A lot of beginners in electronics believe solder wick doesn't work very well because they buy the cheapest stuff they can find.

 

The cp-2015 sometimes branded goot wick is well liked:

https://shopee.ph/New-Solder-Wick-CP-2015-i.176810434.5805626528

 

Finally if your planning on making this a hobby i highly recommend investing in a good soldering station. The hakko clones a relatively cheap and work well.

 

Like this: 

https://shopee.ph/★COME★1-Set-967-Electric-Rework-Soldering-Station-Iron-LCD-Display-SMD-Desoldering-i.205805612.7124018630

 

Or if you plan on learning SMD soldering you can get an iron and hot air combo:

https://shopee.ph/【Original】750W-Soldering-Iron-Hot-Air-Station-Digital-SMD-Solder-Rework-Heater-i.214394526.3815620878

 

https://shopee.ph/8586-220V-110V-Thermostatic-Electric-Soldering-Iron-2-In-1-Solder-Station-Hot-Air-Gun-With-Iron-Tip-Solder-Wire-Tweezers-Heater-i.83100716.1394686940

 

EDIT: Shop around you may find this stuff cheaper elsewhere, I only used the shop you linked because i don't know anything about shopping in the Philippines.

I have a small side cutters but not the hobby flush cutter like the one you linked

 

you could use Lazada. ph too but I don’t want to waste your time more though.

and I just use Shopee because I have a free shipping coupon lmao.

 

thanks for the detailed reply!