Best Soldering Inserts & Extractors AI pick
Chosen by an AI model from its trained knowledge, with its reasoning.
AI pick (brand): Jonard Tools
Jonard is a long-standing maker of dedicated IC insertion and extraction tools, and its tools pull straight up evenly instead of rocking chips out and bending pins.
Not for: Anyone removing soldered-in parts; these tools only work on socketed chips, so use a desoldering tool instead.
What the AI looks for in Soldering Inserts & Extractors
- Package match
- Buy the tool made for your package: DIP, PLCC or PGA. A DIP puller does not work on PLCC sockets, and PLCC chips need a dedicated hook-style extractor. The wrong tool levers on the package body or the socket and cracks one of them.
- DIP row width
- DIP inserters must match the row spacing: 0.3 in for narrow chips, 0.6 in for wide ones. Pin count must also be within the tool's range. A mismatched inserter will not straighten the pins to the socket pitch, so the pins fold under.
- ESD safety
- For CMOS, EPROMs and other sensitive parts, choose a conductive or grounded tool, ideally with a ground clip. Plastic tools carry static straight to the pins.
- Even, straight pull
- Prefer jaws that grip both ends of the package and lift it vertically. Rocking one end out at a time bends the pins on the opposite row.
Brands that matter
- Jonard Tools: Specialist in IC inserters, extractors and pin straighteners.
- OK Industries: Electronics bench tools, including IC handling tools; now part of the Jonard family.
What to avoid
- Prying chips out with a flat screwdriver, which bends pins and gouges sockets.
- Using a DIP puller on PLCC or PGA sockets.
- Non-ESD plastic tools around static-sensitive chips.
Questions
Can an IC extractor remove a chip soldered to the board?
No. It only lifts chips from sockets; soldered parts need the joints cleared with a desoldering pump, wick or desoldering station first.
Soldering Insertion-Extraction Tools
Combined insertion-extraction tools are the same decision as the parent: match the tool to the package type and DIP row width, and pick an ESD-safe version for sensitive chips. Jonard is the brand to look at first.