Tools of the Trade

Here are some of the most common tools used in salvaging parts:


 * Soldering iron (come in many varieties both electric and butane)


 * Flux (good for allowing solder to spread)


 * Desoldering braid ( used to wick solder away from component terminals, extremely useful)


 * Wire cutters (great for cutting excess wires or cutting leads at the board)


 * Small screwdriver set (alot of salvaging includes taking out screws to remove parts)
 * Solder sucker/Desoldering bulb (for removing solder for removal of through hole components)

Here are some things that can be used as alternative methods of desoldering:


 * Small toaster oven (good for wiping entire boards at once)


 * Hot air gun or pen (useful in removal of small smd parts)


 * Blow torch ( can be crudely used to melt solder quickly on the backside of large terminals on things such as transformers,heatsinks etc)