Date   : Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:30:23 -0500
From   : jules.richardson99@... (Jules Richardson)
Subject: ROM removal tool

me@... wrote:
> Does such a thing exist?
> 
> I'm forever tearing the legs off ROMs when trying to remove them cleanly. I
> don't know whether my beeb's sockets are super-grippy, or whether I'm just
> a clumsy arse, but I can't help thinking there must be a better way.

I've seen IC removal tools in the form of pincers, but IME they're a bit crap 
- with the force sometimes needed to pull a chip up, they can sometimes 
suddenly 'let go' unevenly, resulting in bent pins still.

I normally just use a very small screwdriver and carefully pry up the IC, 
swapping ends frequently. A better gadget might be a narrow strip of metal 
bent over at the end to lever the IC up (access with a screwdriver can be 
tricky with some board layouts) but I've never damaged an IC using a 
screwdriver, so never quite motivated myself to make something (I'm sure such 
a thing can be bought, too).

cheers

Jules