Soldering question

Spyridon

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I'm trying to do a cap kit on a Williams power supply and getting the old solder to flow has been a challenge. If I add some new solder, it works pretty well, however, here is my problem. I have removed a cap, but the hole is still blocked with solder. I just can't get it out. I'm using a soldapult to try and lift the solder out. I've tried adding more solder and lifting it out, but I just can't clear it.

Any suggestions?
 
use solder braid, it will absorb the old solder and leave a clean hole to work with, will save you time,frustration,and solder
 
Liquid rosin flux also helps to get old solder moving again.

RJ
 
I tried the braid, but it still won't let me get to the solder in the hole. I've cleared it out all around the area, but still can't get to that last bit.
 
Try heating the area with a hair dryer so that the soldering iron isn't working so hard. Also make sure the new solder is rosin core. Apply a litter bit of new soder then quickly use the wick......

Michael
 
use a hand held desolder vac pump (cheap at electronics shops) or heat up the solder and blow it out - watch out for splashes
 
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When I have a hole that gets plugged like that, the first thing I try is to put the tip of the soldering iron in the hole on one side and press the soldapullit against the other side to get a good seal and push the button. That usually pulls enough suction to clear the hole. Once in a while when it is one of the ones that are attached to a large trace, it acts like a heat sink and that won't work. In that case, I take a left over lead from a clipped component and hold it in a pair of needle nose pliers (don't hold it in your fingers, for obvious reasons) press it against the hole that is plugged and heat it with the soldering iron until it melts the solder plug.

You will know when that happens because the the lead will slide into the hole. Take the soldering iron away and keep moving the lead back and forth and the solder will cool and stick to the sides of the hole, but where the lead is moving there will be a hole you can slide the new component's lead into.

ken
 
For removing small ammounts of solder I personally prefer a solder sucker, and only use the braid for large ammounts.

When a hole has gotten plugged I've had excellent results by taking a wire, or a pin, and heating it up with the iron and pressing it into the hole. The solder melts and sticks the pin as it moves through.

I also hold the pin or wire with a pair of plyers to insulate my hand from the hot pin.
 
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I have through-hole power resistor I keep just for this case. Press the lead in the hole, apply heat, push through. Then use the desoldering station on the other side and remove the resistor again. Twist the resistor as you pull it out. Then clean up the area with flux and solder braid, then solvent. Works every time.
 
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