What is desolder braid?
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.
How do I choose a desoldering braid?
Choose a desoldering braid width that closely matches the size of the contact area. Smaller widths won’t remove enough solder, and larger widths take longer to heat and may interfere with other components on the circuit board.
What can I use as a desoldering wick?
For small projects solder wick or desoldering braid is here to save the day. What it is: Braided pieces of copper wire, typically anywhere from 18-42 AWG. This is ideal to use when you need to get as much solder off as possible for a bridged joint, or removing a component.
Do you need flux with desoldering braid?
You will need to add your own flux as you desolder. Unfluxed wick has a part number that starts with 1830 through 1833.
Do you use flux when desoldering?
When desoldering, you should apply flux to whatever the solder is supposed to wet to. If you are using a copper desoldering braid, then apply a bit of flux to it.
How do you Desolder without a solder wick?
How to: Solder removal without a solder sucker
- Step 1: Materials:
- Step 2: Heat the iron, strip the wires.
- Step 3: Open the flux, dip your homemade wick.
- Step 4: Wick the metals away!
- Step 5: Cut, twist, repeat…
Is it necessary to use a soldering iron when desoldering?
Using the tip of the soldering iron will remove the copper plating from the PCB. Pros: You need nothing but a soldering iron, and the components can be reused. Cons: You may damage the board if you leave the soldering iron on it for too long.
Do I need a desoldering pump?
To salvage or replace electronic components, you need to desolder the connections where they are attached to the circuit board. A desoldering pump and a desoldering braid should be fine for most DIY projects, and easily within a hobbyist’s budget.
Is desoldering 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.