Soldering wick or Soldering sucker???

Toolfan66

I just ordered my Soldering station a Weller WES51, but what do you DIY'ers use?? A soldering wick or a soldering sucker??

Also what are some of the better ones to use of both items?? Brand??

I see some soldering suckers can be expensive and I don't need one that will break the bank.. Will one of those bulbs work well??

Thanks!!!

treitz3

A solder sucker can be had at the Rat Shack for 10 or so smackers. Those work just as good as any others I have used. There is a relatively recent thread around here somewhere that pretty much nails all of your questions. I'll try to find it.

BTW, I would recommend having both on hand. Each type has it's own deficiencies and attributes. You'll learn what I'm talking about after you get some experience, but I will say this.....use the solder sucker first and foremost when working around fine traces. The wick has a tendency to lift up traces off the board, especially when overheated.

dorokusai

Unless the previous solder work is a piled up mess, I've never used a sucker or really needed a wick at all. I know that heating up the work area and banging, or tapping for the girls, sounds odd but it simply works. What's wrong with you folks? Heat it up, and while holding the project, bang your hand on the table. You'd think you were building a freaking rocket.

EDIT: I've done board work since 1996 so sorry for being so Donkey Kong in my solder removal. I digress in the fact that if it's globbed up or a pile, you need something to take up the majority without damaging traces you didn't notice. You certainly don't want to remake something you didn't make in the first place.

zarrdoss

I got a sucker at rat shack that seems to work well 10 bucks. they also have some silver bearing solder that works quite well.

brand does not matter anymore its all made in China.

treitz3

Here you go, I found it....

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109940

Toolfan66

Thanks!!

I just have a soldering pin I got from HD and it works ok but removing a cap by just heating the solder sucks so I want to step up my game in this area, I'm not overwhelmed by the boards anymore.

When I upgraded the caps in my Jolida phono pre I do understand what you mean about thin traces, but I did it without any issues..:cool:

treitz3 wrote: »

A solder sucker can be had at the Rat Shack for 10 or so smackers. Those work just as good as any others I have used. There is a relatively recent thread around here somewhere that pretty much nails all of your questions. I'll try to find it.

BTW, I would recommend having both on hand. Each type has it's own deficiencies and attributes. You'll learn what I'm talking about after you get some experience, but I will say this.....use the solder sucker first and foremost when working around fine traces. The wick has a tendency to lift up traces off the board, especially when overheated.

zarrdoss

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731

be sure and get some extra tips as well

Toolfan66

Well thats how I have been doing it..lol well I don't bang it on the table..

dorokusai wrote: »

Unless the previous solder work is a piled up mess, I've never used a sucker or really needed a wick at all. I know that heating up the work area and banging, or tapping for the girls, sounds odd but it simply works. What's wrong with you folks? Heat it up, and while holding the project, bang your hand on the table. You'd think you were building a freaking rocket.

EDIT: I've done board work since 1996 so sorry for being so Donkey Kong in my solder removal. I digress in the fact that if it's globbed up or a pile, you need something to take up the majority without damaging traces you didn't notice. You certainly don't want to remake something you didn't make in the first place.

Toolfan66

treitz3 wrote: »

Here you go, I found it....

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109940

Thanks!! how I missed that thread is beyond me..

FTGV

My day job requires that I do a lot of soldering/desoldering and I find this inexpensive pump indespensible. http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=DS017

dorokusai

You do realize we're talking about caveman style xovers and not highly specialized PCB or mobo's right? This place never surprises me in how complicated we make the dumbest....sorry, easiest stuff.

I think we should start outsourcing this work from now on. India perhaps?

FTGV

dorokusai wrote: »

You do realize we're talking about caveman style xovers and not highly specialized PCB or mobo's right? This place never surprises me in how complicated we make they dumbest stuff.

.

Thats why your here,to help us keep it real.

Toolfan66

zarrdoss wrote: »

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731

be sure and get some extra tips as well

All ready on order as well..:cool:

Toolfan66

For the price of a sucker and wick why not try it???

#3 wick work OK??

dorokusai

FTGV wrote: »

That why your here,to keep us real.

FTGV - I have no doubt that those tools, and what you use daily, serve a purpose and are in fact....indispensable. But we're talking basic xovers here, you know what I mean? I think you do.

dorokusai

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

For the price of a sucker and wick why not try it???

#3 wick work OK??

Absolutely. Go ahead and over-complicate a job that a monkey, or at least cigarette smoking monkey could do. Whatever, good luck. I'm two xovers down in the time it took this thread to become alive.


Excellent soldering station BTW.

FTGV

dorokusai wrote: »

.. you know what I mean?

Nope.I'm blanking on that one,ya all gotz a clue for me?

But hey sweetcheeks that seems to be your standard reply to most of my suggestions,I'll defer to you from now on.

dorokusai

No idea what you mean but sure you'll point it out....or maybe not. I thought your suggestions were solid, just not for the monkey work that is a potentially 20 year old xover. We all comment from personal perspective right? What isn't helpful to you and or I, for example, may be awesome to another.

I don't know either I guess, I'm off to greener grass since I'm not skilled enough for you folks. I'm more a hammer and nails type, what would I know.

Toolfan66

dorokusai wrote: »

Absolutely. Go ahead and over-complicate a job that a monkey, or at least cigarette smoking monkey could do. Whatever, good luck. I'm two xovers down in the time it took this thread to become alive.

Mark you can be such an **** :eek::cool: Sorry I haven't been doing this since 96. all I was asking for was a little advice, Guess I will go to the Zoo and let the monkeys do my work for me if I can find my way there that is..:rolleyes:

Now get bent and go back to work..

zarrdoss

This has to be one of the most hostile, critical forums I have ever seen! how in the hell did this simple question get turned into this?

FTGV

dorokusai wrote: »

No idea what you mean but sure you'll point it out....or maybe not. I thought your suggestions were solid, just not for the monkey work that is a potentially 20 year old xover. We all comment from personal perspective right? What isn't helpful to you and or I, for example, may be awesome to another.

I don't know either I guess, I'm off to greener grass since I'm not skilled enough for you folks. I'm more a hammer and nails type, what would I know.

Would you PLEASE stop adding sh$t to your posts:biggrin: Cuz it screws up my reply and I have to re do it.:mad::biggrin:

dorokusai

TOOL - That wasn't my point ****....and I stated my opinion. You should read closer.

Vintage Polk boardwork is NOT hard and more people should start doing it themselves. If you're not comfortable with doing it, fine.

If you just bought a soldering iron, it doesn't mean mean you automatically need a whole plethora of materials to do a project.

I tried to keep it simple. You'll end up causing your own problems.

dorokusai

FTGV wrote: »

Would you PLEASE you stop adding sh$t to your posts:biggrin:It screws up my reply and I have to re do it.:mad::biggrin:

Thats 100% my fault as I reread and question punctuation, wording and sentence structure.

FTGV

dorokusai wrote: »

... punctuation, wording and sentence structure.

Why worry about that silly stuff? I never have.
Have a good evening Mark.

Toolfan66

dorokusai wrote: »

TOOL - That wasn't my point ****....and I stated my opinion. You should read closer.

Vintage Polk boardwork is NOT hard and more people should start doing it themselves. If you're not comfortable with doing it, fine.

If you just bought a soldering iron, it doesn't mean mean you automatically need a whole plethora of materials to do a project.

I tried to keep it simple. You'll end up causing your own problems.

****??? Just cause my balls are in your mouth there is no need to get worked up..

And I know I don't need a plethora of materials to do a job. I have been doing it with just a pen.

Butt Head!!!

Toolfan66

Fongolio

dorokusai wrote: »

Vintage Polk boardwork is NOT hard and more people should start doing it themselves.

Did it occur to you that this may NOT be his only intended project. Namecalling? I'd take the hostililty down a notch Doro. Sheesh.

Larry, I've used only a sucker but have wanted to try wick. Let us know how each works out for you and have a great Christmas season!!

Kelvin

FTGV

Fongolio wrote: »

Did it occur to you that this may NOT be his only intended project.

He's seems convinced it is.

Toolfan66

I ordered everything I wanted to try. Looking forward to the soldering station, and the projects I have in the works.

Also I didn't know this hobby was about how fast you can do a set of crossovers but having fun in doing so, and for the record I will be doing more then just crossovers.

Bang away Mark!!!!

Joe08867

I use Mark's method most times. Have wick for the delicate or intricate stuff.

Never tried a sucker. I see me causing more harm than good with one.

dorokusai

I assure you guys, I'm way low key in this conversation.....you can't get proper inflection with typed speech. C'mon....if it was really hostile there would be words like BANNED underneath our names

Fongolio - Yes, I'm aware.....and Larry and I talk offline as well.