Repairing Plated Throughholes and Vias on a PCB

Through-holes or vias can be damaged in either handling of the boards or through the improper removal of a through-hole device. This tutorial will guide you through the repair process. The tools you will need include the following:

Caliper  (or drill guage template)
Flux
Cleaning solvent  
Microscope
Knife    
Drill
Eyelet kit   
Wipes
Eyelet forming tools  
Solder
Soldering Iron   
Drill bits or ball mills  
Hammer

The more complete kit for Throughhole repair can be found here.

Use progressively larger drill bits until you get to the right size where the plated hole can be drilled out. It should be slightly larger than than the opening of the plated through hole.

Drill out the hole using a hand drill. Make sure you drill perpendicular to the plan of the PCB.

Using a drill template gauge, size the correct eyelet size OD. A selection of eyelets that I use is here.

Using the drill guage make sure you have the correct eyelet size.

Place flange side of Eyelet on Swaging tool. Make sure that the PCB is level. Use 90 degree pick to “roll” flange out uniformly. Flat set using a hammer.

Add liquid flux and solder the land to the replacement eyelet to make the electrical connection. Allow solder to “wick” up  75% of  the side of the flange.

Electrically test and inspect the connection.