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How To Remove Old Solder

Do you have to remove old solder?

Unless the solder creates short circuits or structural problems, you can heat the solder until it melts, and then push your components through. The solder will still work. You will even get a connection to it. However, if the old solder will cause problems, then you have no choice but to remove it.

What tool will remove solder?

A desoldering pump, colloquially known as a solder sucker, is a manually-operated device which is used to remove solder from a printed circuit board. There are two types: the plunger style and bulb style.

Can you melt old solder?

Prime your iron by putting a dab of new solder on the tip. With the solder on the tip put it on the old solder and it should liquify.

How do you get rid of solder balls?

Spray-in-air is the most effective method in both the removal of post reflow flux residues and post reflow solder balls. Vapor degreasers generally lack positive pressure and only rely on solvent contact for defluxing.

How do you remove solder with flux?

Isopropyl alcohol is the most common solvent used for removing flux, but Techspray offers flux removers that can do the job more effectively and efficiently. One common way to clean flux is the wet a swab with isopropyl alcohol and wipe around the solder joint.

How do you Desolder without anything?

Use something called solder wick. Its a rosin flux impregnated fine copper braid – comes in several widths but it will wick the solder out of joints. Usually cut the leads of the component being removed, heat and pull the leads out, then use the wick to absorb the solder out of the holes.

What is soldering wick made out 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 you make solder wick?

To make your own solder wick you will just need a piece of stranded copper wire and some flux. And now you just made a solder wick from a piece of copper wire, you can use it as the usual solder wick.

How do you remove solder without suction?

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.

What causes solder to ball up?

Solder balling can be caused by poor process conditions with gassing from the flux during wave contact or excessive turbulence as the solder flows back into the bath which causes spitting. Solder balls can be ejected from the joint area during soldering due to excessive outgassing of the PCB.

What is solder beading?

Solder Beads are balls of solder that are created when soldering components on a PCB. They are created due to the use of excessive solder paste when soldering components on a board. Solder beads can cause a short circuit between the component terminals which can result in failure of the circuit.

How do you Desolder a chip from PCB?

Use the hot air gun and a good steel tweezers, give it a good blast of heat and pull off applying gentle pressure with the tweezers. If you’re quick enough turn it around and drop back in before everything cools down too much. Forgot to say put some flux on before you start.

Can solder be removed?

Gently touch the tip of a preheated soldering iron to the solder bead or joint that you need to remove; keep the soldering iron in place until the solder begins to flow. Push the release button, which will create a quick blast of suction that should cleanly remove any molten solder in the immediate area.

Can you remove solder with a lighter?

First strip together two ends of a wire by removing their outer cover. Now take a lighter and start heating the wire ends. When its starting to melt use another thin wire or rod and rub the wires so that the wires sticks tightly. Finish when the wires are soldered perfectly.

How do you remove solder from a copper pipe without a torch?

Heat the pipe gradually to the melting point of the solder and wipe the solder off with a rag. Then use either a wire brush or sand cloth to remove whatever solder is left.

Do I need solder wick?

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. If you want to learn more about how to clean your circuit board, you can read the attach article.

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.

Are you supposed to cut off the solder wick before or after you use it?

Are you supposed to cut off the solder wick before or after you use it? Yes, you have to cut off the solder wick after using it. Once the soldering wick becomes fully saturated with solder, you have to cut that portion of the wire. Then, you can use the solder wick again.

What can I use if I don’t have flux?

If it is for lead-tin electronic soldering, the rosin flux inside the solder is mostly colophony (pine rosin). The same stuff used on violin bows, and that pitchers have it powdered in a bag. Mix it with 99% isopropyl alcohol to make a liquid.

What is a no clean wick?

Desoldering braid or desoldering 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.