> Has anyone tried using hot air irons?

Not just tried, this is the only thing I use for chips with more than two
pins (two pins I handle with 2 irons or with hot air, since many parts
have hidden pads a la bga). All the other methods will overheat the chip
asymmetrically. Desoldering by pulling a bead of solder over all the pins
is also bad. You have to use Wood's metal or another allow for 'wetting'.
Obviously this does not work for soldering new parts, only for reworking.

Peter

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