What tools do you use to remove a led from its heatsink?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

For the experienced moders out there, what tools do you use to remove a led on a round board or star from its heatsink without damaging it? I typically use a hobby knife but it sometimes scratches the heatsink, when using pliers you risk damaging the led dome, is there a better / easier way?

Thanks in advance for your help

2

Put the heatsink over the stove and heat it up.
When you see the led slightly “slipping”, pull it of with a tweezer.
Then remove the heatsink and cook a steak.

3

Just to be clear, do you want to get the emitter off the star or the star off the pill?

emitter off the star: heat

star off the pill: screwdriver, pliers, heat

4

I want to get the star off the pill, without scratching the pill or damaging the star

5

Apply some heat, that will soften the glue. Then use a screwdriver or pliers and be careful. :)

6

I put the pill in the freezer for a couple hours until it is good and frozen. Than I pull the wires up and through the pill I use this spot were the hole in the pill is to pry up with a flat head screwdriver and it will pop right off with minimal force and no damage to the star.

Sometimes on the tough the ones I go back and forth from the positive to the negative hole prying a little on each side. The trick is to put continuous pressure on the star until the glue lets loose because the frozen glue is so brittle once it start to crack it lets loose easily without bending the star.

Heat has never worked for me because hot glue becomes more elastic which requires the star to move more distance before the glue bond breaks which can cause more damage to the pill and star like scratches and bent stars.

7

I do similar to what E1320 does, but I tend to use a single edge razor blade (sometimes tap it in under the star with a hammer).

I buy the boxes of 100 blades when Harbor Freight has them on sale. They are one of my favorite tools. There are few places in my house where a razor blade is not within arms length.

8

Thanks for the suggestions, now I’m going to share one, google “debonding pliers” those are the ones the orthodontist uses to remove braces, I used a dremel to shape the tip of a needle nose pliers, After freezing the pill just put the pliers to the edge and squeeze, the star comes out with no problems,I just made a new tool for my moding drawer. Will post a pic later.