Solder

Solder Wick or Vacuum Pump? Which is better?

solder pump is easier to use IMHO

depends on what

I have and use both regularly, pumps do good for single sided though hole boards, wick does good for dual sided boards (for instance)

Thanks! I'll get5 both.

Agreed. They're both cheap, you want to get both :smiley:

Mowcius

+1

Have both. Need Both.

Ratio: Solder "sucker" 95% of the time. Solder wick 5%

There are those rare times when when only solder wick will do it the best way, like removing solder bridges on surface mount devices.

Thanks.
I just ordered some Breakout Boards from sparkfun and have never done SM or TH soldering (for the headers). The only thing I have done is basic wire-to-wire.
Wish me luck!

pumps do good for single sided though hole boards

ALthough I haven't used wick in so long I'm not even sure where mine is, I have to add a caution about using pumps. Especially on home-made boards.

A good-quality, well-maintained (i.e., cleaned and occasionally lubed with a little petroleum jelly) can generate a lot of suction. Enough to rip pads off the board. This doesn't happen so much with plated-through boards, but is a real problem with single-sided boards with small pads.

I haven't yet used a solder pump, but I do have to say that I love the solder wick, although it can get expensive in large amounts. It saved the day when I replaced my laptop's power jack. :smiley:

I use wick more often, and I gave up on those springy things, I just have a red rubber ball (and something to jam down it when it gets clogged)

on large items I usually attack it with the pump, then mop up the leftovers with wick