Buying task · Desoldering
Desoldering tools: wick, pumps and guns
When to use solder wick, a solder pump or a powered desoldering gun, what each is good at, and what to check before buying a gun for a 120 V bench.
Short answer
Most benches need two simple tools: solder wick for pads, bridges and cleanup, and a solder pump for clearing through-holes. A powered desoldering gun, which heats and vacuums in one tool, earns its place when you remove many through-hole parts, as in a console recap. Fresh flux helps whichever tool you use.
What each tool does
- Solder wick is braided copper that soaks up molten solder.[1] iFixit notes that braid usually comes with dry flux applied.[2] It suits pads, bridges and surface-mount cleanup.
- A solder pump (solder sucker) pulls molten solder away with a spring-loaded plunger. SparkFun calls a solder vacuum a great tool for removing solder left behind in through-holes.[1]
- A powered desoldering gun heats the joint through a hollow nozzle and pulls the solder away with its own vacuum pump. Hakko's FR-301, for example, uses N61-series nozzles with sensor-feedback temperature control.[3] Its Japanese 100 V model is rated at 98 W, 350-500°C and 11 liters per minute of suction.[4]
Matching the tool to the job
| Job | Start with |
|---|---|
| A solder bridge between pins | Wick, or drag the bridge apart with a clean, hot tip[5] |
| Clearing a through-hole after a part comes out | Pump |
| Cleaning old solder off surface-mount pads | Wick and flux |
| Removing many multi-pin through-hole parts | Powered desoldering gun |
Ground planes and large through-holes pull heat away from the joint. SparkFun suggests a larger tip, a higher temperature, extra flux and a little more time on the joint.[6] See why ground planes are hard to solder and how to use solder wick for the technique. For multi-pin surface-mount parts, a hot-air station is the other route; the hot air and rework overview covers it.
What to check before buying a desoldering gun
- A 110-120 V variant with a US plug, as for any mains tool. US household power is 110-120 V at 60 Hz.[7]
- A grounded plug. In Japan, Hakko sells the FR-301 either with a three-conductor plug, grounded to prevent electrostatic damage to components on the board, or with a two-conductor plug.[4] For static-sensitive boards, choose a grounded version, and do not assume a two-prong tool is ESD-safe.
- A published nozzle-to-ground figure. Hakko gives under 2 ohms and under 2 mV for the FR-301.[4] Few marketplace listings publish one, so treat a missing figure as unknown.
- Spare nozzles and filters sold for the exact model, since you will replace both.
How to choose
Buy wick and a pump with your first iron, so you can undo mistakes from the first day. Add a powered gun if you recap or restore through-hole boards often. The retro console recap and through-hole restoration bench pages show where a gun fits in a full kit.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- How to use solder wickGets solder off pads and out of bridges cleanly, and shows when a pump or hot air is the better tool for the job.
Common questions
Why won't my solder wick soak up solder?
Usually too little heat is reaching the solder through the braid, or there is too little flux. Add flux, move to a fresh section of braid and press a larger, tinned tip flat on top of the braid over the solder. More in How to use solder wick
Should I use solder wick or a desoldering pump?
Use wick for flat jobs such as pads and bridges, and a pump to clear solder out of through-holes; SparkFun calls a solder vacuum a great tool for that job. More in How to use solder wick
Do I need extra flux if the braid is already fluxed?
It often helps. iFixit notes that braid usually has dry flux applied, but adding a little fresh flux to the joint is the first thing to try when the braid won't take solder. More in How to use solder wick
What width of solder wick should I buy?
Pick braid about as wide as the pads you clear most often. A narrow roll for fine-pitch surface-mount work and a wider one for through-hole pads covers most benches. More in How to use solder wick
Can solder wick lift a pad?
Yes, if braid that has cooled onto the pad is pulled away, or if you scrub with it under pressure. Lift the braid and iron together while the solder is still molten; Adafruit describes a lifted pad as one that has come away from the board. More in How to use solder wick
Questions
Solder wick or a solder pump: which should I buy first?
Both, if you can. SparkFun recommends a solder vacuum for clearing solder left behind in through-holes, while wick soaks up solder from pads and bridges.[1]
Why is my solder wick not picking up solder?
Check heat and flux first: the braid has to get hot enough for solder to flow into it, and fresh flux helps, since iFixit notes that braid usually carries only dry flux. See how to use solder wick.[2]
When is a desoldering gun worth buying?
When you remove many multi-pin through-hole parts, as in recaps and restorations. A gun such as Hakko's FR-301 heats the joint through its nozzle and pulls the solder away with built-in suction, rated 11 liters per minute on the Japanese model.[3][4]
Does a desoldering gun need a grounded plug?
For static-sensitive work, choose one that has one. Hakko Japan sells the FR-301 with a three-conductor plug, grounded to prevent electrostatic damage to components, or with a two-conductor plug.[4]