Sticky, Taped Transistors

[BuddytheReow]

Not sure if this has been addressed or not, but here goes...

Many transistors that we pick up (not all) some on a strip of cardboard with some masking tape to hold it on there. I have a few that still have a lot of the sticky residue and some tape still on the leads. What would be the best way to strip it off and still save the leads? I'm thinking goo gone or some other solvent, but would like to hear what others think.

BuddytheReow

 

[Harry Klippton]

I don't use sockets and that part gets clipped off. You could try a little scrap of sandpaper or some abrasive

 

[fig]

I've use emory boards when needed.

 

[Alan W]

Alcohol should get rid of it—I’d try that before trying to abrade it away. Even though I use sockets, there’s usually still enough length above the tape to work, but I have gotten them with the transistor body pretty close to the cardboard befoe.

 

[Joben Magooch]

To be honest whenever I get a component that comes taped to a strip like this I pretty much just yank off the lead and solder it as usual. In my experience the iron is always hot enough to pretty much disintegrate any sort of residue that's left behind and then I clean the whole PCB with rubbing alcohol when it's all said and done. Even in the absolute worst-case examples I've never seen a component with anywhere near enough residue left behind to prevent a solid connection in any discernible way.

So, in short...I dunno, maybe it's not the best advice but I just don't worry about it one way or another, lol. Would probably just give a quick wipe with a towel/alcohol if I had to, I guess.

 

[StompBoxParts]

Use isopropyl alcohol to get residue off.

Or just clip the component/legs above the tape.

 

[giovanni]

I don't use sockets and that part gets clipped off. You could try a little scrap of sandpaper or some abrasive

I use sockets and that part still gets clipped off…

 

[Barry]

I don't use sockets and I just snip them off, but usually there's enough length still to put it in a socket

 

[finebyfine]

Sometimes I don't find alcohol enough to do the trick on these and I'll use 50/50 alcohol/acetone that I also use as flux cleaner. I'll lay down a folded paper towel and just douse the cardboard and masking tape in alcohol, fold the paper towel over the tape and wait a couple of minutes before peeling them out. I'll move up to the alcohol/acetone if there's still residue but I'll rinse with alcohol before letting them dry and storing.

 

[MichaelW]

I started just snipping them right above the card when I get ready to populate. There's always plenty of leg left over.
But I would just rip the paper off and use my thumbnail to scrape the glue/tape off.
But then I don't save any legs anymore since investing in a spool of Buss wire....

 

[Feral Feline]

I found when I use alcohol that I'd sometimes cut them off the strip crooked, or too short
— I definitely recommend cutting them only when sober.

 

[finebyfine]

I found when I use alcohol that I'd sometimes cut them off the strip crooked, or too short
— I definitely recommend cutting them only when sober.

Weed counts as sober, right?

 

[RetiredUnit1]

Weed counts as sober, right?

Depends on the weed! I had some OGKB I grew that was total "what is my name?" for 5 hours after one puff. I gave it away....

 

[giovanni]

Weed counts as sober, right?

I mean how do you get any work done without at least 1mg of THC?!?

 

[RetiredUnit1]

I polish the leads of all my components with very fine steel wool wet with isopropyl before I test them, and solder them. This removes the goo and looks really nice on amps. Most of the leads disappear on pedal boards, so not so looking as good on those, but the main goal is to be sure the lead is completely free of debris and oxide before soldering....

 

[RetiredUnit1]

I mean how do you get any work done without at least 1mg of THC?!?

I have a strain I developed that has a medium level of THC and a high level of CBD. It's like what we used to get in the 70's and 80's. I have severe chronic arthritis pain and this strain just makes the pain DISAPPEAR without lowering my IQ by 30 points

 

[giovanni]

I have a strain I developed that has a medium level of THC and a high level of CBD. It's like what we used to get in the 70's and 80's. I have severe chronic arthritis pain and this strain just makes the pain DISAPPEAR without lowering my IQ by 30 points

We are really living in magical, psychedelic times

 

[lcipher3]

tet

I have a strain I developed that has a medium level of THC and a high level of CBD. It's like what we used to get in the 70's and 80's. I have severe chronic arthritis pain and this strain just makes the pain DISAPPEAR without lowering my IQ by 30 points

yeah the new stuff isn't anything like the old! I like to get CBD bud and mix it to cut the effect. Or frankly the CBD bud is relaxing as well. And techncally legel to get in any state