What's this for?

[reallyrandy]

It came with my new hot air station. No clue what it is or how to use it.

 

[Fizzbinn]

I got one with mine too. I figured it was for roasting mini marshmallows!

 

[reallyrandy]

Apparently, it's an IC lifter, no idea why precision tweezers wouldn't be better though.

 

[Daniel Hansen]

Apparently, it's an IC lifter, no idea why precision tweezers wouldn't be better though.

Right? I have some of these too and have never ever felt the need to use them.

 

[Kai Robinson]

They work quite well for lifting PLCC chips after you hit them with hot air - stick them under when the solder is solid, then the weight of the tool will ping the chip clear once the hot air melts the solder enough, and the chip stands less chance of getting stuck to other pads.

 

[Fizzbinn]

They work quite well for lifting PLCC chips after you hit them with hot air - stick them under when the solder is solid, then the weight of the tool will ping the chip clear once the hot air melts the solder enough, and the chip stands less chance of getting stuck to other pads.

Ahhhh! Neat!