[Boatanchors] (de) soldering question

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Norm,

I'm sure that John is correct about the solder wick although I have never 
used it much.  I've always preferred and used one of the spring-loaded mechanical 
pumps like the Soldapult or the smaller Paladin (but have been recently 
seriously considering a desoldering station for use on major jobs).  But even with 
the vacuum gear, on old sets (OK, there aren't any other kinds discussed 
here), and especially ones that have been MFP'd, even after mechanical cleaning of 
the joint before heating I get consistantly better results if I flow just a 
little fresh solder into it before applying the vacuum.  Even when molten, the 
old solder often still appears somewhat dull gray and grainy or lumpy.  A 
little new solder and it turns bright and molten and much more of it leaves the 
joint with one "suck".

I don't know for certain whether the reason is an original difference in the 
older solder or oxidation effects (I'd bet on the latter) but the small amount 
of fresh solder technique always seems to work.

In a message dated 12/8/2004 10:49:50 PM Central Standard Time, jfor at quik.com 
writes: 
> The flux on solder wick often goes stale. Try dipping it in liquid flux 
> (rosin based) before use. Actually, the shield from scrap RG-58 or better 174 
> works just fine.
> 
> If you have a lot to do, consider a desoldering machine like a Pace PPS-5
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
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