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Cheap source for desoldering braid?

M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

-Michael
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

-Michael

put "solder wick" into google:
http://www.google.com/search?q="solder+wick"&hl=en&lr=

Cheers!
Rich
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

Digikey carries quite a few types, if you want a 100' spool, maybe
$45, depending on width etc.

http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T042/1169.pdf

The 5' spool I have here is from M.G. Chemicals- maybe it came from
FAI.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
 
A

Andrew VK3BFA

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

-Michael

The easiest way since I dont know where you live is to wander into
your local TV repair shop and ask them where they buy theirs - my TV
bits supplier sells it in 25ft rolls of various widths, at a MUCH
cheaper rate than the hobby electronics stores.
de VK3BFA Andrew

PS - its also fresh because they have a fast turnover, ie not
pre-oxidised for you!
 
T

Tim Wescott

Jan 1, 1970
0
Andrew said:
The easiest way since I dont know where you live is to wander into
your local TV repair shop and ask them where they buy theirs - my TV
bits supplier sells it in 25ft rolls of various widths, at a MUCH
cheaper rate than the hobby electronics stores.
de VK3BFA Andrew

PS - its also fresh because they have a fast turnover, ie not
pre-oxidised for you!

I have some of that pre-oxidized stuff as a result of taking a break
from circuits work for a while. It does a fine job of resisting wetting
by solder, stays nice and dry in the harshest conditions.
 
C

Chuck Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

-Michael

The Allied Catalog has three listings: Dri-Wick in 5 ft reels for 2.29 to
2.70 ea, Solder Wick in 25 ft reels for 12.29 to 17.40 ea, and PLATO-Wick XL
in 5 ft bobbins for 2.96 to 3.81 or 10 ft bobbins for 5.19 to 6.89. They
also show Matrix Desoldering Ribbon in 100 inch reels for 57.97 to 62.99/10
pack.

Chuck
 
M

Michael

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
Hi - somehow I end up going through quite a lot of desoldering braid. My
current source is the local Ratshack where I think it's over $3 for maybe a
meter or so of it. Is there anywhere I could buy a larger spool for a
better price? I can't stand supporting Radioshack, but I don't know where
else to turn. I checked out my trusty Mouser catalog - and the only braid I
could find was on page 1268: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/618/1268.pdf -
but they don't even list lengths so I have no idea what I'd be getting. So
does anyone have any reccomendations? I just ran out earlier today (damn
SMT work!) so I'm trying to decide if I should stop on by that awful place
or if I can get some elsewhere. Thanks!

-Michael


All Electronics offers 1/16", 5-ft. spool for $1.00
 
J

John Larkin

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have some of that pre-oxidized stuff as a result of taking a break
from circuits work for a while. It does a fine job of resisting wetting
by solder, stays nice and dry in the harshest conditions.

The best wick is home-made: strip off the shield from a small-diameter
Mil-spec teflon coax; it's silver plated. Dip it in thinned RMA liquid
flux and use immediately. The solder practically jumps off the board
at it.

Fine-stranded wire, preferably silver-plated, works good too.

John
 
D

Dave VanHorn

Jan 1, 1970
0
The best wick is home-made: strip off the shield from a small-diameter
Mil-spec teflon coax; it's silver plated. Dip it in thinned RMA liquid
flux and use immediately. The solder practically jumps off the board
at it.


If you can get it cheap enough, I agree.
Sometimes, you still have to heat it a bit with a solder iron though.

;-)
 
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