desoldering

nepalnt21

HamerTimeologist
im planning on putting in a new bridge pickup (hot rails) in my strat. what are some good desoldering methods? also, what supplies do i need besides the ones i have for soldering and what are some other tips/ pointers, etc.?

thanks yous
 
Re: desoldering

An additional tip for using solder wick (braid):
Try to 'stretch' out the braid across its width so that there is a little more space between the strands. The additional gaps will increase the capillary action of the wick.
 
Re: desoldering

In case you haven't thought of it, you might get a pair of hemostat clips to use as a heat sink. Some people...*cough*... call 'em "roach clips". :smokin:
 
Re: desoldering

okso i got a desoldering braid, and non spill paste rosin soldering flux, both from radio shack. will these work? also, am i supposed to use soldering flux when soldering? i never have in the past. is that bad?
 
Re: desoldering

i have a 30 watt soldering iron and i just tried it and it didnt work. the only way the solder will melt is if i put the soldering iron directly to it. should i get a 40 watt? its broken so i have to get a new one anyway.
 
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Re: desoldering

yeah ive been reading up a bit. the videos on the sd site on how to install pickups are a bit helpful, too. but in the video, instead of heating the component and then adding the solder, he tins the wire, then heats the wore directly to the component. why do some people say not to do this?
 
Re: desoldering

Well, I can't answer for everybody, because I'm kinda new to this myself. I think the big thing with soldering is avoiding damage to your components by watching how much heat you transfer. So it would make sense to me to tin the wire, let it cool a bit, then heat it with the component to get your solder. Add a small drop more of solder if needed. Its alot easier to trim a little more wire if you damage it from overheating than it is to order another component. Placing an alligator clip near the base of the component if possible is a good idea too. Transfers the heat into the clip rather then then component.
 
Re: desoldering

nepalnt21 said:
yeah ive been reading up a bit. the videos on the sd site on how to install pickups are a bit helpful, too. but in the video, instead of heating the component and then adding the solder, he tins the wire, then heats the wore directly to the component. why do some people say not to do this?

First, you ‘tin’ the wire to prevent fraying, then you make a physical connection between the component and the wire.

Next you place the soldering iron tip against the wire / connection. When the connection is hot enough to melt solder you apply solder.

As I stated in the other thread of this nature, solder is not ‘glue’. Connections are not held together by adhesive force. Soldering creates an alloy between the components by mixing the ‘donor’ metals in the solder, connector and wire. If the connection is not hot enough to melt solder, it is not hot enough to form an alloy.

Melting solder on the tip of your iron only means your iron is hot enough to melt solder.

Some people melt a big glob of solder on their iron and then apply the blob to the connection until the blob eventually flows. This is a very poor technique. Usually the solder is overheated and any flux contained within the solder has been burned off before the connection is made.
 
Re: desoldering

I suggest you get a small pair of long nose pliers to hold the wire when you're soldering. This prevents overheating the components and gives you better access and view. It also keeps your hand away from the soldering iron.
 
Re: desoldering

Get a desoldering pump.

This is like a big spring loaded syringe with a teflon tip. You press the plunger down to prime it and then hold it against the workpiece as you heat it. When the solder melts you press the trigger and it sucks the workpiece clean of al the solder. Much quicker than braid and non-disposable.
 
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