
What can I use instead of a solder wick?
0:000:37Mike's Quick Tips - #12 - Free Desoldering Wick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll. You need is some old stranded wire or extension cord you don't even have to use wire strippers.MoreAll. You need is some old stranded wire or extension cord you don't even have to use wire strippers.
Is solder wick necessary?
Solder wick is especially useful if you need to remove solder from a circuit board or components. If you're new to soldering, you should have solder wick ready in case you need to correct any mistakes you make.
What is solder wick?
Desoldering braid or “wick” is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed.
What size solder wick do I need?
8 mm wide, but most will find #2 (1.5 mm), #3 (2 mm), and #4 (2.8 mm) to be the most commonly used. #5 is ideal for removing large blobs of solder, and #6 is best for desoldering BGA pads. Most find it helpful to keep three or four different widths at their work area.
Can you solder wick with copper wire?
What can be used as a solder wick? You can make your solder wick from a piece of stranded copper wire. You have to strip the wire and intertwine it. After that, dip the wire into flux.
What is solder wick made of?
Desoldering braid (wick) is made of fine strands of ultra-pure copper woven and coated with flux. Its geometrically precise weave design allows for maximum capillary action and solder capacity.
Can I solder without flux?
Yes, you need flux. Solder wire usually has flux in its core, but most still apply additional flux. I would figure out what specification of flux is in the solder wire you're using and buy that type. To obtain the best results, always use extra flux!
How do you solder with a wick?
To use solder wick, simply place the end of the wick over the solder you want to remove and then place your heated solder tip over it. The braid heats up and encourages the solder to “wick” into it. When it starts to work, you will actually be able to see the solder being pulled up into the solder wick.
Does solder wick expire?
Yes. As the copper is exposed to the open air, oxygen and moisture in the air interacts and oxidizes the copper. This oxidation is most apparent by the color of the wick.
How do you solder copper wire together?
9:3512:28How to Solder Wires Together (Best tips and tricks) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to add the solder at the top of the wire. You don't want to touch the solder to the tip youMoreYou want to add the solder at the top of the wire. You don't want to touch the solder to the tip you feed the solder into the copper strands. And let the solder wick through the strands.
How do you Desolder a soldering iron?
1. Using a Soldering IronHeat the solder using the soldering iron until it starts to melt.Nudge the pins using the iron and move the solder away from the joints.Pull the components using pliers to remove them from the pinholes.While pulling the components, apply pressure at the tips instead of their bodies.
Which type of soldering flux is used for soldering iron?
Rosin (type R) Flux The most basic soldering flux, one that has been used for over a thousand years, is the natural rosin derived from pine tar resin. Pine tar resin is dissolved in solvent and then distilled to yield the clear, water-white rosin used in soldering flux.
What are the 4 stages of soldering?
Flux – please see the page titled: Soldering 101 – Oxidation, Flux, and Firescale/stain Prevention.Step One: Good Fit. This just means that the two pieces of metal that you are joining together, fit as closely as possible. ... Step 2: Clean Metal/Solder/Flux/Hands. ... Step 3: Heat. ... Step 4: Flux.
Does solder wick expire?
Yes. As the copper is exposed to the open air, oxygen and moisture in the air interacts and oxidizes the copper. This oxidation is most apparent by the color of the wick.
What does the flux do in soldering?
Flux aids in soldering and desoldering processes by removing oxide films which form on the surface of metals being soldered. It increases the wetting ability of the solder, causing it to flow more uniformly over surfaces without balling-up (dewetting).
How do you tin the tip of a soldering iron?
2:4611:02How to Tin a Soldering Iron Tip or Re-tin an Old Soldering ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLead tin solder and I just wrap it around the tip it doesn't matter which way your wrap one or letMoreLead tin solder and I just wrap it around the tip it doesn't matter which way your wrap one or let wrap it clockwise or counter clockwise the effect will still be the same.
What is a desoldering wick?
Desoldering braid or “wick” is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed. The soldering iron is applied to the wick as it sits on the solder joint, and when both are brought up to the solder's melting point, the flux is activated and, through capillary action from the braided design, solder is drawn up the wick.
What is the fastest wick?
Soder-Wick, the world's leading brand of desoldering wick (solder wick, desoldering braid) is the fastest, cleanest and safest wick in the industry. It significantly reduces rework/repair time and minimizes the risk of heat damage to the board.
What is chem wick?
As the standard desoldering wick for service and repair, Chem-Wik ensures fast and safe desoldering. The ultra-pure, oxygen-free copper braid quickly and completely removes solder from circuit boards and components. Its fast wicking action protects components from harmful heat damage. PermaPak™ Barrier Packaging ensures ultimate braid freshness and speed by sealing out the harmful effects of the environment and protecting against oxidation.
Why is desoldering important?
By Grant Price, Product Manager, Chemtronics The reality is that no soldering operation produces perfect assemblies every time. Even the highest quality components fail from time-to-time. That’s why desoldering is so important for those who manufacture, maintain or repair pr...
What type of flux does Chemtronics use?
Chemtronics uses 2 types of flux: Soder-Wick and Chem-Wik lines use natural gum rosin. Per J-STD-004 Section 3.2, they are classified as ROL0. Per British Std. EN 29454-1:1993 and ISO9454-1:1990, they have a classification of 1.1.1.B. No-Clean and Lead-Free fluxes are synthetic (non-colophony)flux. Per J-STD-004 Section 3.2, they are classified as REL0. Per British Std. EN 29454-1:1993 and ISO9454-1:1990, the No-Clean and Lead-Free fluxes have a classification of 1.2.3.B.
How long does copper wick last?
This oxidation is most apparent by the color of the wick. The brighter the copper, the fresher the wick. Oxidized copper will darken like a dirty penny. The more oxidized the copper, the slower the wicking action. We generally recommend replacing wick after 2-years, but that can be longer or shorter depending on storage conditions. Keep the wick bag or can sealed for maximum product life. If you have wick that appears to be too oxidized to use, unroll around 6”, trim off, then test the remaining wick. The outside of the spool of wick becomes oxidized first.
Does soldering produce perfect assemblies?
The reality is that no soldering operation produces perfect assemblies every time. Even the highest quality components fail from time-to-time. That’s why understanding the best rework and repair methods and materials is so important for those who manufacture, maintain, or repair printed ci...
How to remove solder from wick?
Step one: Choose the widest wick available . Step two: Choose a tip with a broad surface area. A knife tip works well for this, but you can also use any tip with a broad surface area. Step three: Lay the braid all the way across the solder to be removed . Step Four: place the tip on one end of the braid.
How to use a sodering wick?
Steps to using sodering wick: Step one: Choose the appropriate size of wick and soldering tip for the solder to be removed. Choose a width of wick that is similar in size to the glob of solder to be removed. Using wick with a significantly different width will make the solder removal more difficult.
How to solder a braid?
Step Two: Place the tip at an angle that maximizes heat transfer through the braid to the solder. Use a clean tip that you have just tinned with fresh solder to maximize heat transfer.
Why use wick on circuit boards?
It is commonly used to aid in removing faulty components, to correct solder bridging, or for any other reason that solder needs to be removed. Wick is used by everyone from massive printed circuit board factories all the way to beginning hobbyists.
How to make wick work faster?
Tip: Adding a little extra flux to the joint before applying heat can make the job even easier and faster. This will also help to make an older spool of wick work like new.
What is the part number of an unfluxed wick?
You will need to add your own flux as you desolder in order. Unfluxed wick has a part number that starts with 75- in the Soder-Wick line.
When was desoldering braid invented?
The commercial manufacturing desoldering braid was originally invented and manufactured by Soder-Wick brand in the late 1960’s . We have been perfecting this process and supplying customers with excellent product for over five decades now.
