Flux & wick - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:01:08 am
content: Hey guys,I have some GOOT solder wick (2.0mm / 2.5mm) that doesn't seem to suck/absorb solder. I've read people say to soak it in some flux though I don't have any :\ . I did buy the wick online (china.. i know.. :\ ) so it didn't cost a whole lot. I was considering getting something a bit better, but also after some flux too.http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/desoldering-wicks-braids/3141019/http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NS3036Does anyone have any comment on these 2 items ?I'm not a professional, so I know you can get a lot better, but at a price, & i didn't want to spend a whole lot on top of the range, but something entry level/cheaper but still decent is what I'm after.At the moment I've only been de-soldering & trying to repair small ipods (and maybe smaller electronic devices), so should the width of wick match roughly the size of the solder joint ? is there a role-of-thumb when choosing ?Regards,

author: flolic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:13:10 am
content: Get some Chemtronics wick, seriously. It is pricey, but works so much better than the cheap stuff.I have few rolls of Goot wick and it works little better when you soak it in flux, but that's far away from Chemtronics...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:26:10 am
content: +1Get some Chemtronics wickSeriously, switching to chemtronics wick is the food equivalent of having chocolate for the first time.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:27:48 am
content: Quote from: flolic on December 11, 2013, 08:13:10 amThanks, i think that's the brand I'm looking at from RS Online.. though it says 'ITW Chemtronics'.. pretty sure it's the same ??

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:30:07 am
content: Quote from: LeWidget on December 11, 2013, 08:27:48 amI prefer their Rosin version over that no-clean one, but yeah, that is chemtronics.NOTE: That url is for 0.8mm wide stuff which is a bit too small for general purpose use. Get some 2 or 3mm for general use.The 0.8mm might be good for your current job repairing ipods though.(pricewise it's probably better to get thicker stuff and cut thinner when needed)

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:49:42 am
content: Quote from: Psi on December 11, 2013, 08:30:07 amThanks, might check out the 1.5mm versions, might be a bit better ?http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/desoldering-wicks-braids/2214891/http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/desoldering-wicks-braids/3141025/What's the difference between clean & no clean ? You mentioned 'Rosin' which I'm guessing is the flux in the braid/wick, does that leave a residue ?What about separate flux, any recommendations ?Thanks,

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:56:50 am
content: yep, the rosin stuff is your general purpose rosin flux.I prefer a little leftover residue rather than inhaling nasty chemicals.I also clean the boards anyway, so the residue doesn't matter to me.Also, i'm not sure this is really an advantage but the fumes from the Chemtronics Rosin wick smell damn good

author: sammyhwang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:59:55 am
content: Always get a bigger size braid. If your board is REALLY crowded, then get the right size. If don't have specific devices, then generally speaking get a bigger one (not that big though).I use a 2.5mm one and it works great. Also, flux is important too. I use good made in USA syringe type fluxes. If you're getting some, get the syringe type 'gel' form flux. Make sure its a good brand and/or made in USA.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 09:36:29 am
content: +11 for Chemtronics "Soder-Wick", despite the mis-spellingThe really thin stuff saturates too quickly - I usually use #4 ,and for the occasional tiny joint, cut the end at a sharp angle.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 09:43:18 am
content: Quote from: LeWidget on December 11, 2013, 08:01:08 amThe genuine GOOT wick that is made in Japan actually is good stuff, but they're not cheap.If you bought online and from dodgy source, especially they're cheap, then 100% its fake.Regarding fake, its norm those bastards used aluminium core and plated with copper "like" material, again, its not even copper coating.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:07:37 am
content: The jaycar goot wick is genuine and works an absolute treat at my work (it is always on our shopping list as most jaycars seem to be near sold out every time)the 2mm is the perfect size in my case, for everything from TO220's pad soldered to sot23 transistors, where the 1.5mm seems a tiny bit thin and you burn through it like crazy. and the 3mm takes shoving a fair whack of heat into it to get it really going,http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NS3027if anyones willing to link to a 2mm alternative from chemtronics I'm all ears

author: andtfoot
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:09:49 am
content: I use the Goot stuff at home it works pretty well. I'm pretty sure it has flux in it.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:14:03 am
content: Just fyi, a genuine GOOT wick like these, just one roll, yes, only one cost about $40 to $50 in retail price.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:20:06 am
content: note that jay-car only sells 1.5m lengths... as opposed to 20m spoolsalso to help out the poster, yes (at least the jaycar stuff) the wick comes coated in flux,

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 10:38:24 am
content: The 1.5m blue spool things last long enough.I wouldn't bother getting 20 meters unless you really need it.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 11:29:38 am
content: Another +1 for Chemtronics.I use a couple of these (Farnell: 4754347) a year, never tried Gootwick, but have found all others I have tried over the years to be poor by comparison with the Chemtronics stuff.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 11:31:58 am
content: Psi,You're in NZ (or so your profile says)... element 14 gives me so many bloody options for wick that it's not helpful. If you happen to have a link handy for the stuff you use I'd be grateful.Same goes for flux, which youmustbe able to buy in 200-500ml quantities for a fair price. Surely?

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 12:39:46 pm
content: Hey guys, thanks heaps for all the replies, Ill be sure to add some 'Chemtronics' to the list.On the subject of Flux, how do they differ (gels vs pen etc..). Does it depend on the application ? Is one type better for smaller/larger applications ? & brand, what do you guys recommend ?Thanks again, really appreciate it

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 01:48:00 pm
content: Jaycar's "Goot" wick is nearly as "goot" as Chemtronics & not as expensive.I use both it & the flux pen.(I used to use "Soderwick" when the Boss paid for it!)I've never tried flux gel -----don't like the sound of it,to be honest.Desoldering braid deteriorates with age,& if it isn't too far gone,a bit of flux applied to it will make it work properly.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 08:37:40 pm
content: Quote from: apelly on December 11, 2013, 11:31:58 amLiquid can be harder to find in small quantities, as most of it comes in 1 gal (4L) & larger containers.Only small bottle I'm aware of, isMG Chemicals 125ml bottle (rosin 835)(they also sell a 1 liter size). Good stuff though, and I don't think you'd be disappointed with it. SRA-solder also sellsrefillable pensthat comes with flux (your choice), so you might want to look into that as well.Chemtronics also sells refillable pens (2x pens in the pack + 2 extra nibs, empty);CW7000.Quote from: LeWidget on December 11, 2013, 12:39:46 pmGel won't flow all over the place to other parts of the board, but it tends to require a bit more effort to clean off wherever it was applied. Liquid can flow all over the place if you're sloppy with it, but a needle bottle, brush, or pen will keep this in check (just don't get ham fisted with a needle bottle).Any of it can work for a given task (populating a bare board, rework/repair), so it really comes down to preference/what's most convenient to the user for the application IMHO.Personally, I use liquid in a needle bottle, as I find it more flexible. Gives me the option of applying it directly with a needle for drag soldering for example, or more precision with a brush (individual pads or tinning wire). It's also more economical than disposable pens. Brush & bottle are cheap, and reusable, just as the pens linked above (also cheap).

author: Skaface
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2013, 11:29:33 pm
content: try re-soldering the joint with some fresh solder first, and then melt a very small amount of solder directly on to the end of the solder wick before you use it, it makes it work about 500 times better, i suppose it transfers the heat from the joint through the solder wick more efficiently. i use this technique with goot wick and it works extremely well all the time

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 12:58:18 am
content: Quote from: apelly on December 11, 2013, 11:31:58 amYep, i'm in Auckland.Element14 dont seem to have the chemtronics wick i get (80-4-5) but RS have it in stock.You could pickup from their trade counter if in akl, but RS do free shipping on any value order anywayhttp://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/p/desoldering-wicks-braids/2214914/I usually buy it from digikey because i do orders over NZ$125 and get free shipping every few months, they're also cheaper.As far as flux goes i only ever use one of those flux pens, and only when needed.With a good pcb, good solder and good wick you don't really need to apply liquid flux.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 01:29:34 am
content: Quote from: Psi on December 12, 2013, 12:58:18 amMe too.Quote from: Psi on December 12, 2013, 12:58:18 amThanks mate. Appreciate it. Ordered some.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 02:51:12 am
content: Since this thread has completely resolved itself and I am late to the party... I'll just add this...The title caught my eye. There ought to be an English Pub called The Flux & Wick... run by a bunch of engineers ...with beer flowing and geek games in the back... old pin balls, upright video games, table tennis, and a maker workbenchwho's in with meLet's make it happen around the world... drunk engineers armed with soldering ironsThat's an awesome name for a Pub.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 05:34:32 am
content: Has anyone tried making their own liquid flux ? I've come across various places where you crush up Rosin and desolve in IPA (or acetone), not sure on the best ratio though.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 05:56:48 am
content: Ian from Dangerous Prototypes did a video on thisI remember we used to use rosin flakes when I was younger and mix it myself too. That was in the 70's.It's pretty easy and works ok. I think doing so probably puts you back into the 1950's or so. The flux formulations of today are well researched and are not as basic as mixing it yourself. Ian talks about Glycerin too. I didn't know about that additive.However, the flux pastes and liquid flux and flux pens are all so expensive in such small quantities, it can make sense to mix it yourself but you'll probably need to clean it afterwards. If you do that anyways, then there's no change in your procedure so there's no cost associated with the cleaning step for you. I always clean anyways.