Tips for Desoldering Iron

• Use a soldering iron, not a gun, when desoldering. Soldering iron image by Gudellaphoto from Fotolia.com

  Desoldering iron is the act of removing solder from a joint. While that may sound simple, the process can be dangerous unless you have the proper equipment and adequate protective gear is used. You will need a soldering iron, not a gun, since the wattage on a soldering gun is too high for desoldering. Also needed is a solder removal device, which can be either a solder sucker, which is a vacuum pump, or a solder wick, a copper braid. You will also need to work in a well-ventilated area, since the resin in solder creates harmful fumes. Wear a respirator mask if possible, eye protection, and keep a source of cold water handy in case of a burn.

Basic Guidelines

• Clean the surface to be desoldered thoroughly before beginning the process. Apply heat. Remove the old solder immediately, either with the vacuum sucker or with the solder wick. Clean the area and check for any leftover solder. If solder is positioned awkwardly and difficult to remove, it's best to add more solder, then remove the entire amount. Remove all traces with a fine grit steel wool.

Tip Care

• A clean soldering iron tip is essential for good desoldering. Use the largest tip possible for the job at hand, and don't use excessive pressure. Clean the tip regularly with a sponge dampened in distilled water. Coat the clean tip with fresh solder to prevent tip oxidation. Use the lowest possible temperature, since an excessively high temperature will destroy the tip. Turn the device off when not in use.

Sucker versus Wick

• A soldering sucker is a spring-loaded plunger that creates a vacuum which draws the solder up into the pump. A solder wick is a piece of copper braid which draws molten solder into the braid when heated. The wick is good for awkward places, since you can use the tip of the soldering iron to press the wick into the joint. The iron will melt the solder, which will adhere to the copper braid. Since the braid must be thrown away after use, it's best to do major clean-up with the sucker and finish up with the braid.