The post about using a metal with lower melting point triggered a memory, and I confirmed it in our catalogue. WES components in Australia sells a "SMD desoldering kit" that is simply flux and a low meltpoint solder. It is about $18 US. You apply the special solder the the pins, heat it up with a normal iron and then it stays molten for quite a while and you can unsolder the whole chip. I don't know ho many chips it would do. Quite possibly it would be re-usable?? Sounds smart. I'm sure other suppliers must sell the kits too, looks like an Asian package. -Roman -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.