New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

SpidersWeb wrote:Until I can buy a proper desoldering tool I've had to put the power supply to one side.

Just a little off topic, but I picked up an Aoyue 474A desoldering station on Alibaba for about $200. For working on old computers, best spend I've made so far. Wanna pull the PLA from a C64 board? Break out the iron and refresh the joints, then hit it with the 474 and it'll pull the solder perfect leaving clean free vias and a chip that will probably just fall out.

Yep that's what I want to get Christmas left me a little dry but it's on my to-get list.
Using anything else I find I generally end up with board damage for smaller components, so best to wait.

Haven't progressed with the Xtra as I've been away but will get back on to it soon.