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I am a terrible solderer

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MoonDog:
solder suckers work well once you get the hang of it, but i certainly wouldn't recommend starting out with one.  you need to move very quickly before the solder re-hardens.

get some solder braid like was suggested.  lay the copper braid over the solder to be removed and then place the iron tip on top of the braid.  as the solder melts it will wick into the braid.  be careful to keep the braid away from solder that you do not want removed.

practice will make you a pro.

NoOne=NBA=:
I usually use a combo of sucking and braid.
I SUCK the majority of it off, and then use the braid for cleanup.
I've always had a problem getting large amounts of solder off with braid, without heating up the components.
The sucker gets alot of solder off quickly, leaving less to deal with when you come back with the braid.

My technique with the sucker is to actually get it right down WITH the tip of the iron, and then swap the iron tip and sucker tip WHILE hitting the button.
Basically, you almost touch the two tips while swapping.
You also need to make sure you are dead-on to the solder you are sucking.
If you try to suck with the sucker tilted, it won't develop as much vacuum, and will suck LESS solder because of it.

Trimoor:
Desoldering is always a pain in the ass.  If you're doing it with an iron, you must get every speck of solder off every joint on a component.  Suckers and braids just don't work very well.

My technique is to use a propane/butane torch.  Melt all of the joints at once, then just pull the component out without removing any solder.  It's much faster and easier, but you have to be careful not to burn the board.

MoonDog:

--- Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on December 23, 2004, 04:16:57 pm ---... actually get it right down WITH the tip of the iron, and then swap the iron tip and sucker tip WHILE hitting the button.
Basically, you almost touch the two tips while swapping.

--- End quote ---

I second that motion!

Ken Layton:
I use a Soldapult brand solder sucker and a 25 watt iron and I have no problems unsoldering or soldering. OIf course I have been doing it for over 30 years. ;)

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