Strange solder used in Pok3r?

[trenzafeeds]

I own a very nice soldering iron and a passable soldering pump, and I've had fine luck desoldering in the past, but weirdly enough the pok3r is not cooperative at all. No matter how much I heat and pump, not quite all of the solder will ever leave the joint. Has anyone had success/problems desoldering this board? I'm starting to wonder if Vortex has some weird solder in their factory that keeps you from fully desoldering.

[Sifo]

You've desoldered factory new stock keyboards before yeah? Just asking, cuz leaded solder that the manufacturers like to use is often tougher to desolder (requires higher temperatures). Other than that, have you tried adding more solder to it? Generally helps out a ton, along with cranking up the temperature.

[njbair]

You've desoldered factory new stock keyboards before yeah? Just asking, cuz leaded solder that the manufacturers like to use is often tougher to desolder (requires higher temperatures). Other than that, have you tried adding more solder to it? Generally helps out a ton, along with cranking up the temperature.

I actually prefer leaded solder and buy it whenever I can.

You're right on about adding a little bit of new melted solder to speed things up. It conducts the heat way faster.

[Melvang]

You've desoldered factory new stock keyboards before yeah? Just asking, cuz leaded solder that the manufacturers like to use is often tougher to desolder (requires higher temperatures). Other than that, have you tried adding more solder to it? Generally helps out a ton, along with cranking up the temperature.

You mean lead free solder that is in anything now?

But yeah, adding leaded solder to lead free, helps a ton when working on new boards.

[Sifo]

Er yes my mistake I mean lead free sucks. leaded is the way to go

[Melvang]

Er yes my mistake I mean lead free sucks. leaded is the way to go

Just making sure we are all on the same page.

[Steezus]

I de-soldered and two Pok3rs and added LEDs to both of them no problem. I used a Weller WESD51 at 315C with the Engineer SS-02 Solder Sucker from amazon. I sometimes needed to crank up the heat but it wasn't that bad, anytime I didn't suck up all the solder I would simply re-fill the solder joint and then suck it back up no problem.

[trenzafeeds]

Ok, yeah, seems like just cranking up my temperature is the way to go. I just always get nervous about wrecking the board. The most I've gotten up to is around 280C.

[Fire Brand]

As with what the others say it might be worth just adding a little leaded solder to get everything flowing I find lead free solder to be a pain to work with, otherwise again not sure of others but I usually end up going 280 on most boards as it only needs to be heated for a second or two at most

[Sifo]

Ok, yeah, seems like just cranking up my temperature is the way to go. I just always get nervous about wrecking the board. The most I've gotten up to is around 280C.

I sit anywhere from 300-330 for desoldering lead free

[Dansor]

Have you tried a desoldering iron instead of just an iron and pump?
I've got the one below and have had GREAT results with it.
http://www.amazon.com/ECG-J-045-DS-Watt-Desoldering-Iron/dp/B00068IJSG

It works much faster, and gets much more of the solder with much less work.
The only caveat I'd have is to get some extra tips, as depending on the solder they can deteriorate relatively quickly.

[ithrowthinqs]

Have the same exact ECJ desoldering pump. Works like a champ for how much i paid.