How to clean solder off

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:23 am

Maybe I'm taking a risk with this but, I've soldered a couple of times with good results. However, the connectors were already clean. I'm trying to put a toaster in my 4003 and can't figure how to clean the old solder off of the pot and post connector to re-solder a good connection. Does anyone have any advise?? I move the soldering iron back and forth trying to pick up the old solder but it just slides around on there and dries immediately so I can't remove it. I'm such an amateur at this. Help anyone???

matchlock · Post by **matchlock** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:30 am

Hi Scott,
Radio Shack sells what is called Soldering Braid, I find it works really great removing old solder and giving a good clean connection. Just lay the braid over the top of the connection you want to clean off and then put your soldering iron over the top of the braid. It only takes a second or two to clean the old solder off.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:32 am

You can get a "solder sucker". This is a small syringe/pump that literally sucks the solder off the terminals. You just heat the solder with your soldering iron to melt it, hold the nozzle of the sucker on the melted solder, then press the button on the side of the sucker and a piston in the syringe shoots back drawing the hot solder into the body. Any electronics shop will sell them and they only cost a couple of $$$.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:35 am

And, Scott--when you re-solder, use solder that has flux inside the core. I also would buy a flat tin of paste flux (rosin type, NOT ACID). Dipping the wire into the tin of paste flux and then also dabbing a tiny bit onto the terminal before heating things up will give you great flow and a good joint.

I fnd that solder with flux in the core often does not have quite enough flux to clean older connections. My tin of paste flux, which I bought in 1975 for 69 cents, is still about 75% full!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:32 am

So Paul - you've been in a state of flux for 30 years??

Scott: I've always found the 'solder sucker' much better than braid but the latter will probably be cheaper.

Cheers

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:39 am

TOO TRUE.

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:08 am

Scott,
If you "tin" the wire and connector before making the new solder connection, it will be much easier to join the wire to the connector. In other words, make sure the wire and connection have a film of solder already on them before starting to join the two together.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:45 am

Thanks for all the advise guys. Hitting Radio Shack today. Sounds easy enough. Can't wait to get this finished!!!

cwk · Post by **cwk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:14 am

Scott,
I have found that a small,damp sponge helps to wipe the tip off of junk and re-tin as needed.Take your time.