Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Desoldering Tool

2379 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 9:54 PM

Thanks for the clarification, Rich.

If you're just removing blobs of solder then a bulb or solder sucker will work.  However, if you are wanting to remove the solder in "degrees" then I'd use solder-wick.

Bulbs and solder suckers are kinda all or nothing but solder-wick allows you more control over how much solder you remove.  Your call on which one will work better in your application.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 9:44 PM

tstage

Rich,

What exactly will you be unsoldering?  Solder-Wick (braided copper ribbon) works great and comes in a variety of widths.  If you are trying to remove components (resistors, caps, etc.) off a PC board, two soldering irons will do the trick then you can just clean it up with Solder-Wick.  I do it all the time at work.

Tom

Blobs of solder on decoder terminals.

Rich

Alton Junction

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 8:59 PM

Rich,

What exactly will you be unsoldering?  Solder-Wick (braided copper ribbon) works great and comes in a variety of widths.  If you are trying to remove components (resistors, caps, etc.) off a PC board, two soldering irons will do the trick then you can just clean it up with Solder-Wick.  I do it all the time at work.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 7:07 PM

zstripe

RICH1998,

How well I know,what you are saying....How about a 6 position,ganged rotary switch??What's a tube??LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

A glass thing that burned your finger tips. lol

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 5:10 AM

RICH1998,

How well I know,what you are saying....How about a 6 position,ganged rotary switch??What's a tube??LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 4:33 AM

I wound up purchasing the bulb but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

I do currently use the desoldering braid, but I am concerned about its use in tight spaces.

If the bulb does not work satisfactorily, I will try that vacuum Desoldering Tube.

Thanks to all for your replies.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, August 19, 2013 6:48 PM

I found that the rubber bulb was not very effective. Many here are not aware of tube circuit days where you put the wire in the terminal a full 360 degrees and crimped it with needle nose pliers. Un-soldering those where a real challenge.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Monday, August 19, 2013 6:20 PM

Of the three choices, go with the Vacuum Desoldering Tool.  SoldaPullit used to be a brand name.  SolderSucker we used to call them.  It sucks much harder than the rubber bulb.  I wouldn't bother with the iron with a rubber bulb gizmo, it won't work as well as just the rubber bulb desolderer with your present soldering iron.  And although the rubber bulb does work, the Soldersucker works a LOT better.

   Not shown, but very effective, is solder wick.  Just some copper braid which you lay on the molten solder to be removed .  The solder wick sucks up molten solder by capillary action.  Radio Shack has it, about $5, and it may be what you really want. 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 19, 2013 6:10 PM

RICHG1998,

I remember that one very well,,still have it,,once you got the hang of using it with one hand..Havn't used it in years though,my fingers would cramp up too easily..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, August 19, 2013 5:59 PM

I have used solder wick for many years on PC boards. I use to make my own with braid from small diameter coax cable braid and liquid rosin flux.

A spring loaded vacuum tool from Radio Shack for bigger jobs.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Detroit, Michigan
  • 2,284 posts
Posted by Soo Line fan on Monday, August 19, 2013 5:53 PM

richhotrain

Soo Line fan

One advantage to the iron / bulb combo is you can use one hand. This may or may not be important to you but it is something to consider.

Jim, I missed your reply, as it came in while I was replying to Frank.

You raise an excellent point.

Would you pick the combo over the bulb alone?

Rich

The combo is the one I own.

And I agree with Frank. Word has it your pockets are so deep they drag the ground. Bow Laugh

Jim

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 19, 2013 5:46 PM

Rich,buddy,You made my day,,,,LOL..

All kidding aside though,,,,they both,are very useful to have,,if you do a lot of soldering..

Cheers,

Frankie

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 19, 2013 5:07 PM

Heck, Frank, by virtue of that logic, I should buy all three. 

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 19, 2013 5:00 PM

Rich,

Seeing as how,,they don't call you Rich,for nothing,,,,buy them both,one for small jobs,one for big..

Cheaper than a box of Golf balls,,,LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 19, 2013 4:34 PM

Soo Line fan

One advantage to the iron / bulb combo is you can use one hand. This may or may not be important to you but it is something to consider.

Jim, I missed your reply, as it came in while I was replying to Frank.

You raise an excellent point.

Would you pick the combo over the bulb alone?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 19, 2013 4:28 PM

zstripe

Rich,

Were it me,,,,,I would pick,the Desoldering Bulb and use my 25 watt soldering iron to heat it,for that is what I used it for,desoldering components on Printed circuit boards,for radio CB's,amplifiers and TV's,tube type and Hybrid..

Cheers,

Frank

Frank, that's it.  If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me.   Laugh

One other question.  Is the 45 watt desoldering iron also a soldering iron?  It would appear so.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Detroit, Michigan
  • 2,284 posts
Posted by Soo Line fan on Monday, August 19, 2013 4:27 PM

One advantage to the iron / bulb combo is you can use one hand. This may or may not be important to you but it is something to consider.

Jim

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 19, 2013 2:54 PM

Rich,

Were it me,,,,,I would pick,the Desoldering Bulb and use my 25 watt soldering iron to heat it,for that is what I used it for,desoldering components on Printed circuit boards,for radio CB's,amplifiers and TV's,tube type and Hybrid..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Desoldering Tool
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 19, 2013 2:08 PM

I plan to pick up a 25 watt pencil soldering iron, and I also want to get a desoldering tool while I am there.

I have essentially three choices, a bulb, a desoldering iron, and a vacuum desoldering tool.

Any recommendations for or against?

Rich

Alton Junction

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!