Keep solder wick fresh, how to? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 01:42:14 pm
content: Wondering how you guy keep your solder wick fresh?I just change to this, from a tupperware type container. Hope this can help:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000UMG3MM/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 02:16:50 pm
content: I use tupperware, doesn't seem to be an issue.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 02:35:51 pm
content: I've never had a problem with it - I use Chemtronics Soder-Wick, and even old stuff stored in an open bin with no special precautions is fine even after a few years.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 02:41:22 pm
content: I second the Chemtronics Soder-Wick suggestion. Expensive but well worth the money and it doesn't seem to expire.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 03:21:04 pm
content: I am using "goot" solder wick. Did not know and did not expect they can be so different, and have stocked up quite a lot also

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 04:08:45 pm
content: I am using solder I purchased in 1977 (5core rosin) stored on the shelf in the basement. I only took it back out of the cardboard box just a year ago when I re-discovered electronics.The alloy (lead/tin) will probably outlast me. The solder sealed in the flux core. There is not much to keep fresh.It still works like a charm.

author: Tube_Dude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 04:13:40 pm
content: I live at 8 km from Atlantic Ocean, only use Goot Solder Wick and keep it without any special precautions in a drawer for months, sometimes years, because I buy it in quantity, and never had a problem or noticing is getting oxidized...

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 04:31:38 pm
content: 10 packs of Soder-Wick do come in sealed tins, but at a higher cost than buying 10 individual reels

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 04:45:52 pm
content: Quote from: Tube_Dude on June 24, 2014, 04:13:40 pmI found for some hard to suck up solder in a hard to reach seam, fresh solder wick can suck better than an old wick. For flat surface mount pad, the old wicks are usable. My challenge is using wick for a non-destructive desoldering of multiple legs through-hole module/component like IGBT module, LED module, etc. Am I blind-sighted somewhere?

author: Tube_Dude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 05:03:01 pm
content: What I found, but you must already know it, is that adding some fresh solder to the joint, made it suck more efficiently...Sometimes (rarely) I even find it in very well isolated closed bags...

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 05:23:02 pm
content: Quote from: all_repair on June 24, 2014, 03:21:04 pm"goot" will turn bad in 1-2 years. Chemtronics Soder-Wick is worth every extra penny compared to cheaper "brands"

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 05:55:46 pm
content: Soak the wick in flux if it (appears to) deteriorate.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 06:55:06 pm
content: On the topic of solder wick, does anyone have experience with tinned solder wick?

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 08:48:28 pm
content: CPC sell Chemtronics Soder-Wick (non-lead-free version) for about £2.50 inc VAT for the widest version. I'll usually stick a reel on to an order now and then.

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 09:32:16 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on June 24, 2014, 05:55:46 pmDon't do that... at least not with a whole roll :pWhere I used to work, we used to buy 10 metre (possibly longer...) rolls of solder wick... one roll seemed to be lacking as much flux as usual, so one of the workers coated the whole roll in a pretty mild flux....Within a week, the whole roll was useless

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 12:40:22 am
content: I just brush some flux on it if I see that the braid isn't working too well..

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 12:58:06 am
content: Another Chemtronics Soder-Wick user. I've some rosin type that's years old, and still works like a charm.If adding solder doesn't work, then perhaps some fresh flux on just the amount of wick you need.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 05:18:30 am
content: Never had a problem with expired solder wick.I do pretty much always use flux with solder wick.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 05:42:06 am
content: I used to make my own solder wick years ago using coax braid and Fluxite flux. Smelled a bit when used and had excess flux but worked well.Soder wick gets a thumbs-up from me too, but pricey as mentioned.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 06:21:32 am
content: Nth'd the Chemtronics and/or flux. I've never had a hunk of the 'good stuff' that didn't work, and even the cheap stuff works fine with a dab of flux.Regarding substitutes, braid isn't usually tight enough or fine enough to do a good job, but hey, if you're desperate and don't have anything better, by all means, use whatever works!Tim

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 09:16:38 am
content: T3kglAgreed, the braid of coax is a bit loose but it worked for large pad leaded boards of yesteryear.I like the Soderwick brand but would like to be able to purchase 50m rolls, just to try get the price down.For SMD stuff solderwick is indispensable. I use it all the time.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 09:24:33 am
content: +1 for chemtronics.What can i say, it always works.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 09:38:05 am
content: When I get fresh stuff I cut a 10 pieces to length and vacuum and seal it in a food vacuumbags, the rest of the role in another bag.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 10:27:28 am
content: i just leave my chemtronics sitting on the work bench.

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 10:28:21 am
content: Just curious - what makes it degrade anyway? Does it corrode/oxidise?

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2014, 10:49:45 am
content: Quote from: BillyD on June 25, 2014, 10:28:21 amoxidation in a clean environment and corrosion in a polluted environment I think, the US5378290 patent has a prevention also stating this:Quote

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 01:06:17 am
content: Flux, by the way, is itself a mild organic acid, hence leaving it on metal leads to corrosion -- at least, when fresh. Which is why extra-fluxed braid will go bad.A cooked residue of flux (post soldering) seems to be less reactive, probably in part because it stays glassy and frozen (analogous: dry salt doesn't do anything to steel, but add a little water..).Tim

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 01:28:49 am
content: Quote from: Rick Law on June 24, 2014, 04:08:45 pmSorry guys, I misread solder wick as solder wire. What an idiot. I should stop these 2am comments when I am already brain dead.