De-soldering tool?

DollarDave
DollarDave Posts: 2,575
edited March 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I have a bunch of caps that I have ordered to upgrade/update the crossovers in various speakers around the house. The soldering part I can handle - what is the best tool for de-soldering? I wouldn't expect to use this tool more than about 20 times a year, so I don't want to spend more than, say, $35?
Post edited by DollarDave on

Comments

  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited March 2009
    There's a solder sucker, maybe $10 which is a small spring loaded air pump.

    Then there's desoldering wick. Fine braided copper that you can use as wick to absorb solder. There's a certain technique to using the wick, but most people find it works better.

    I use a pump followed by braid.
  • CowboyRJB2
    CowboyRJB2 Posts: 58
    edited March 2009
    A friend of mine repairs and rebuilds CB Radios. he uses the braid... I think Radio Shack has them
    ELITE VSX-99 REFERENCE
    ELITE PD-65
    SDA-1C's with new RDO194-1 tweeters as MAINS
    MAGNEPAN TYMPANI 1D's for alternate fronts for classical music
    PARADIGM REFERENCE CC-450 Center
    MONITOR SERIES II... M10 REARS
    2 POLK DSW-600PRO SUBS

    "ROCKIN THE HOUSE"
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    A good solder sucker works pretty good. I like the wick too, but a spring loaded solder sucker can suck the solder right out of the circuit board holes. Also using the braid can heat up components too much if you are removing small components on the board.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    A good solder sucker works pretty good. I like the wick too, but a spring loaded solder sucker can suck the solder right out of the circuit board holes. Also using the braid can heat up components too much if you are removing small components on the board.
    Ben


    Couldn't agree more.





    Nick
  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited March 2009
    Solder braid/wick is my personal choice, but there are so many different ones - and some work better than the others.
    I am not a big fan of solder suckers.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
    I would do what I did.


    Pick up both and see which you like better. Neither are very expensive..


    I found I can do 99% of my deslodering with a bulb. I like to do some finesse desoldering with the wick after using the bulb...




    Nick
  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited March 2009
    1+ Viper.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2009
    I also have the bulb and the spring powered sucker. I have never needed to use the braid with the combination of those two.
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited March 2009
    Thanks for all the replies.

    Now if we can just get that strangeranger Nooshingjohn or something to post here we can get another entanglement going...

    Ben, thanks for the input. John, please don't post, I really don't care what you have to say.
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited March 2009
    I use a SOLDAPULLT DS017 solder pump for 98% of my desoldering in my day job and my own workbench.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,387
    edited March 2009
    I use the solder sucker to remove the bulk of the solder then use the braid to clean up. My dad has a really cool de-solder station.
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2009
    I use a spring loaded solder sucker and then the wick to finish the job.
  • Blownrx7
    Blownrx7 Posts: 137
    edited March 2009
    I use a spring loaded solder sucker and then the wick to finish the job.

    Ditto