What is desoldering braid?
We will start by answering the question – what is desoldering braid? Desoldering braid is a useful tool for disassembling electronics, often referred to as a solder-extractor or desoldered braid. It’s a flexible wire with a long, thin shape and it’s great for extracting components from electronics, making it easy to reuse parts in different devices.
Finding the perfect desoldering braid for your project can be quite a challenge – there are so many options! To ensure you get the best braid for your needs, it is essential to take into account factors such as quality, efficiency and cost. This article provides you with seven handy tips to help you make an informed decision when selecting a desoldering braid.
What Does Desoldering Braid Do?
Desoldering braid is a type of wire that can help you bid farewell to solder residue from a solder joint. Not just limited to electronics and automotive applications, this nifty tool can be employed in other industries such as medical device production as well. The process of desoldering is simple – the desolder first removes the solder from the component, and then a desoldering braid is used to re-flow the residue back into the component. When you need to get rid of solder residue from a solder joint, look no further than the desoldering braid!
Understanding Different Types of Soldering braid/wick
Chem-Wik is a top-notch desoldering braid ideal for service and repair, with fast and safe solder removal. Its oxygen-free copper braid ensures efficient desoldering of circuit boards and components, protecting them from heat damage with its swift wicking action. When it comes to desoldering, the popular choices among many types of wicks on the market are Soder-Wick no clean, Soder-Wick Rosin, Chem-Wik Rosin, Soder-Wick Lead-Free, and Soder-Wick Unfluxed.
Tips for Choosing the Best Desoldering Braid
When you know well what is desoldering braid, you can start learning how to choose a good desoldering braid. Though choosing the right desoldering braid for your project doesn’t have to be overwhelming – here are some tips to help you decide: Consider the solder you need to extract or re-flow; size, type, and composition of the braid; and ease of use.
Consider the below to choose the best desoldering braid:
1. Consider the type of electronic material you’re working with
On the market. You’ll discover a multitude of desoldering wicks, all with quite alike features. A combo of copper and oxygen is used to get rid of solder residue, and those wicks with copper content prove more effective than those with oxygen.
2. Consider the type of component to remove the solder.
Using a desoldering braid to tackle a variety of components like resistors, diodes and transistors? No problem! However, since each component has its own distinct desoldering process, it’s important to double-check its specifications before investing in the braid that’s right for the job.
3. Consider the type of solder.
Connecting components together is made easier with the use of solder, a blend of tin and copper. There are various types to choose from, such as pure tin (Sn), pure copper (Cu), and silver-filled solder (Ag). Each solder option has its own distinct properties, so pick a desoldering braid that will work best with the type of solder you opt for. Ensure you have a good understanding of the unique properties of every solder type.
4. Consider the amount of solder residue you need to remove.
When it comes to residue removal power, not all desoldering braids are created equal. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the quicker it’ll be at removing solder. So, pick the braid that’s got the right amount of removal power for your project.
5. Consider the composition of the desoldering wand.
Different types of desoldering wands are available, including O2-free copper braid (chemically pure and oxygen-free copper braid) and O2-free copper braid with additives (a blend of copper braid and copper additives).
6. Consider the size of the desoldering wand.
Selecting the appropriate size desoldering wand is essential when desoldering electrical components; the smaller the wand, the quicker the solder can be removed. To ensure the job is done correctly, always match the size of your wand to the size of the component.
7. Use a desoldering braid that matches your component type.
Choosing the right desoldering wand for the job is a breeze! Whether you need to remove a tiny resistor or a bulky transistor, there’s a desoldering wand of the perfect size to suit the task – simply match the size of your component with the size of the wand.
Special Tip
When it comes to mobile phone repair, choose a desoldering braid that fits the component’s needs: Oxygen-free copper braid for resistors and diodes; oxygen-free copper braid with added copper additives for resistors and transistors; and for resistors and transistors, oxygen-free copper braid.
Top Best Desoldering Braid around
NTE Electronics SW02-10 No-Clean Solder Wick
The superior design of 100% copper wick enables it to extract solder up to four times faster than conventional wick and Type-R fluxes-based wicks, leaving behind residue that is halide-free and non-conductive, requiring no cleaning of the board. Plus, its fine braid design promotes strong capillary action to quickly pull in excess solder, and it comes with standard or anti-static bobbins!
MG Chemicals Desoldering Braid #424 Fine Braid Super Wick with RMA Flux
Only the purest type ‘RMA’ rosin is used to meet the rigorous requirements of MIL-F-14256F (ANSI/J-STD-0004) in our oxide-free, static-free copper bobbins; they are manufactured under stringent SPC guidelines and designed to leave an environmentally safe residue, certified by the NSF Nonfood Compounds Program and listed as P1 with registration #144208. Plus, these spools are ESD-safe!
MG Chemicals 426 Desoldering Braid
These copper bobbins are static-free, oxide-free and crafted with only the purest type of RMA rosin to meet the MIL-F-14256F (ANSI/J-STD-0004) standards. Manufactured with strict SPC guidelines, they are designed to leave a residue that is completely eco-friendly.
MG Chemicals – 443 Desoldering Braid #3 Fine Braid Super Wick with RMA Flux
The MG Chemicals Super Wick in green features wired connectivity and provides an oxide-free clean copper with static-free bobbins, meeting the stringent requirements of MIL-F-14256F (ANSI/J-STD-0004). Designed to leave an environmentally safe residue, this product is manufactured under stringent SPC guidelines for maximum quality and performance.
NTE Electronics SW04-10 No-Clean Solder Wick with Anti-Static Bobbin
This 100 percent copper wick, with its fine braid design, offers powerful capillary action to quickly draw in any excess solder. It can remove up to four times more solder than regular wick and extract solder much faster than type-r flux-based wicks – leaving behind a halide-free, non-conductive residue which doesn’t need to be cleaned off the board. It’s available with either standard or anti-static bobbins.
CHEMTRONICS 80-3-5 BRAID, DESOLDERING, ROSIN SD
CHEMTRONICS’ copper braid comes in a pack of one, weighs 0.634 ounces, and is 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.4 inches in size with a braid width of 2mm and length of 5ft. It is also green in color and features a #3 braid size. Additionally, it is ESD-Safe Static-Dissipative, rosin-activated RA leaded process compatible, RoHS compliant, and has a National Stock Number of 3439-01-486-7941. All of this comes in a package with dimensions of 15.24″L x 7.62″W x 0.51″H and a weight of 0.8 lb.
Bonus: Weller WLACCBSH-02 Soldering Brass Sponge Tip Cleaner with Silicone Holder
Weller’s Soldering Brass Sponge is an effective way to reduce residue from your soldering tools without damaging the tips. Compared to cellulose sponges, it helps maintain the tip temperature, increasing the productivity and quality of solder joints. Plus, it is incredibly simple to use – just insert the soldering tip into the center of the Brass Sponge Tip Cleaner during and after use and watch the solder residue disappear quickly and easily. For added security, the silicone holder provides extra slip resistance, making your tools safer and more stable.
Must read: Choose the Best Soldering Station for Mobile Repairing
Best desoldering method
To desolder a solder bridge:
- Heat up the component with a desoldering braid and place it on a heat gun.
- Then, grasp the desoldering wand at an angle and ensure the component is properly seated.
- Now, you can start desoldering.
- Use the desoldering braid to eliminate the solder residue from the component and then clean the wand after removing the heat.
- Repeat this process until the desired result is achieved.
Final verdict
Hope now you know, what is desoldering braid, and you can choose a great desoldering braid for your project. To sum it up, having a quality desoldering braid is key when taking apart electronics and pulling out components from a circuit board. With so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one is ideal for your project. To be sure you get the best one, look into factors such as quality, efficiency, cost, and what materials you are dealing with. By considering these variables when choosing your desoldering braid, you are guaranteed to find the right one for your needs! Why not give it a go now and witness the amazing results?
FAQ
No, Despite not making desoldering any easier, it can help to clear away the leftovers from a desoldering wand. It is suggested to use a wire brush to do this in the most effective manner.
At approximately 300° Celsius, the optimal temperature for desoldering varies depending on the type of desoldering wand and the size of the solder joint.
Excess solder and a faulty desoldering wand can result in a substandard solder joint, so it’s important to ensure the right amount of solder is used and the proper tool is employed.
“Never fear of your solder wick expiring – like any other electronic component, proper storage and handling will ensure its longevity for reuse!”
Yes indeed! It is totally possible to solder over old solder – as long as the new solder is pure and the existing solder hasn’t oxidized or corroded.
Yes, A heat gun has the capability to melt solder in an instant; far quicker than any flame ever could. In a flash, the intense heat transfers to the solder, melting it without ever burning off its surface.
Are you stuck on how to unsolder a SMD? Not to worry – simply use a heat gun and some desoldering wick and you’ll be on your way.
If you find yourself stumped by stubborn, unmeltable solder, never fear! You can easily eliminate it with the help of a heat gun and desoldering wick.
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