PLCC extraction tool

Message: 8 Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:25:26 -0400 From: Keith Monahan <keithvz at verizon.net> To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: PLCC extraction tool Message-ID: <508FFF76.6050409 at verizon.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed I've got to remove a PLCC from a socket, and intend on just using a couple screwdrivers/picks. I may need to do this a few times, but I generally don't find the need to do it. Is a specialized PLCC extraction tool really required/much easier/safer/etc? There seem to be a ton of tools online starting around $2 US a piece. If I'm going to spend the time/shipping to order one, I may as well get a decent one. Can anyone recommend a specific model/US source for it? Warning, levering them out with a tool can easily crack the socket, then you will get poor contact. I've got a $10 tool that easily fits the larger sockets, but the first time I used it on a 68-pin PLCC, the pulling hooks broke off. I filed new hooks out of decent steel and brazed them to the existing tool's arms, and it works great, now. So, I can't recommend an off-the shelf tool that actually works well right out of the box. Jon