I have previously worked in industry ( shock horror!!), there I reworked Surface Mount Devices on a daily basis. It is not actually that difficult if you get a decent temperature controlled heat blower ( and NOT the ones used for heat shrink, they will kill boards for a pastime)and take a little care.
Now in the NHS I have found I am not really allowed to rework boards, the reason being if I use a substitute component from the one supplied by the manufacturer, then I am told it could be deemed " re-engineering or altering the original design ", and in such circumstances then I become the person liable for the indemnity insurance!!!
So now I do not rework SMD.
And board swapping is the norm!
