Question U10 Relocation Skill Issue

[Guerillio]

Hi again,
I want to relocate the U10 chip before trimming my Wii, but I can't even get the stupid thing desoldered.
The blob method works effortlessly in all the guides, but my U10 just won't come loose.

I tried different temperatures, I tried with and without flux, and I tried with and without blobs, but no luck.

I borrowed my uncle's soldering iron for my project, but the tip is kind of old, so it may not be transferring heat correctly (it does melt solder, though, just less at the tip).
So, I wanted to buy a replacement tip, but the iron needs a special kind of tip that I can't find anywhere.

The other possible reason I can't do this simple relocation is my absolute lack of skill.

Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Shank]

Without pictures it hard to tell, but it sounds like the problem is your "Uncle's Soldering Iron". It seems completely unsuitable for the job. To perform these mods, you need a quality iron with a not-mangled tip, and most important of all, temperature control. Like a character display that shows the temperature, and allows you to set the temperature. An old "rusty stick with a power cable" is going to cost you more in destroyed boards than the cost of a new iron.

 

[JuDaG1]

I second Shank, I once pretty darn near destroyed an Xbox 360 back when I was barely getting into electronic repair with a cheap and fairly old soldering iron from Harbor Freight. I recommend Hakko as a potential brand if you want to get a prime station that will last a long while. I have some technician friends who have had theirs for 5 years. But if you are looking for a good starter soldering station I can personally recommend the Plusivo Soldering station, mine has been with me for about 2 and a half years and still works like a charm. Plus they have excellent customer service in my dealings with one of their Multi-meters. However, I also believe you should do your own research and see what others recommend.

Tip on removing the U10, use a fine chisel tip or a J-ip to melt the solder on the pins while using the "Solder Blob" technique as shown in GingerofOz videos. Having a longer heating area on the pins will help melt the solder consistently so you don't break the legs of the U10 chip.

 

[Guerillio]

Without pictures it hard to tell, but it sounds like the problem is your "Uncle's Soldering Iron". It seems completely unsuitable for the job. To perform these mods, you need a quality iron with a not-mangled tip, and most important of all, temperature control. Like a character display that shows the temperature, and allows you to set the temperature. An old "rusty stick with a power cable" is going to cost you more in destroyed boards than the cost of a new iron.

Yeah, so I'll probably just order the pinecil then. Also nice to have my own soldering iron anyway.
Is the standard tip that comes with the pinecil good enough or do i need something finer?

Here is a picture of my uncle's soldering iron if you still wanted to know:

 

[JuDaG1]

Looking at the dimensions of the default Pinecil tip, it should work well, using the solder blob technique.

 

[Guerillio]

Looking at the dimensions of the default Pinecil tip, it should work well, using the solder blob technique.

Good to know.

Thanks for the suggestions on soldering irons by the way.
I looked at some reviews, but for me the pinecil makes most sense. Mostly because i can get it relatively cheap where i live, and the performance is compareable.

 

[Shank]

View attachment 34355

Ladies and gentlemen... We got him.

That's the source of your issue. A quality iron like the pinecil or the little aliexpress oled ones that have become popular will make all the difference.