What is a mechanical solder sucker?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

A steel pin may stick but you should be able to turn it out. Multi-layer boards present more difficulty. You have to get the spot hot enough and fast enough to not damage the board and still work. It's about temperature and timing. Remember, these boards were soldered quickly by a machine. They may have been pre-heated before soldering as well. They were not made with component level repairs in mind.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

A brass safety pin will bond to the solder. A steel one won't because it requires much higher temp and a more a acidic flux than rosin.

Actually the ones I got are silver so I assume they are steel? Maybe the solder is not sticking to it but the pin gets stuck inside the vias?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

A brass safety pin will bond to the solder. A steel one won't because it requires much higher temp and a more a acidic flux than rosin.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Smaller dia solder might help in some cases but if your pics are an indication of your skill then you need to practice a lot. Lead free is not harder to work with provided you know how to work with it, and there again that takes practice. For you I say stick with leaded rosin core and not complicate things. 60/40 is ok but 63/37 is better.

Ya I probably do. I've done dozens of capacitors on single sided pcb boards with an el cheapo 25w iron but I didn't think the motherboard would be this hard with a good iron. I tried using a safety pin to clear the vias but solder seem to sitck to the pin, so it's not working as I was hoping for. Maybe the ones I got from the dollar store aren't made from stainless steel.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Smaller dia solder might help in some cases but if your pics are an indication of your skill then you need to practice a lot. Lead free is not harder to work with provided you know how to work with it, and there again that takes practice. For you I say stick with leaded rosin core and not complicate things. 60/40 is ok but 63/37 is better.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

I was thinking that my 1.2mm solder might be too thick? If I purchase 0.8mm solder, should I use lead free solder or buy leaded solder? I know lead free is harder to work with but is there less chance of having a cold solder joint if the board uses lead free solder?

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

you lifted the surface-pad, but the sleeve is still in the board,
you can flow solder down the leg of the cap into the sleeve.

btw, get some damned IPA and clean the board!

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Ok, thanks for the help. Here is a picture of the capacitors I am trying to solder in. I squared the area of the one that I think has a lifted pad.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

It is not the petrol-based oils that cause damage to synthetic rubbers and plastics but additives to them which are solvents. Basic petroleum jelly doesn't have them. Mineral oil doesn't either, which is basically what 3in1 and Singer are with some perfumes added. Baby oil too but it has a lot more perfume, which doesn't hurt anything.

Regardless, the solder sucker is gonna wear out or get broken long before the o-ring would be damaged by using a basic petroleum lubricant. Use whatever you have short of maybe bacon grease. It's not really a big deal.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

I just use a bit of petroleum jelly (vaseline).

Ok. I was told never to use petroleum based lubricants on rubber O-rings as they will dry and crack overtime. I'll get some silicone grease and try that.

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

i use 3in1 or some Singer machine oil - whatever is closest.
teflon loaded oil would be best, but i'm out of it.

[budm]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_316733-1003-...ductId=3152031

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Now that it's mentioned I need to clean and lube mine

What solder sucker do you have? Just curious, but whatever it is it certainly isn't going to hurt to open and clean it anyway.

I just use a bit of petroleum jelly (vaseline).

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Advice doesn't work if you don't take it. Go back to post #64.

What kind of lube do you use? Does it need to be something real specific?

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

you only need to lube it "sometimes"
like when i dries up or clogs with solder dust.

how often depends on how much you use it.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Ok so I was confused, the store what listing the supplier and I though it was the brand of the product. So the one I am looking at is actually a Edsyn soldapullt DS017-P maybe ill pick it up tonight and see if it works better than mine.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Advice doesn't work if you don't take it. Go back to post #64.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Did you clean and lube your solder sucker? It makes a big difference even on a cheap one.

No actually I didn't clean and lube it, just removed the excess solder by pressing on the button and the plunger sticks out ejecting the solder. I didn't know I had to lube either.

[budm]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

I always keep my clean and lube (the barrel, the tip, the 'O' ring, the shaft, the spring).

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

i have one with 2 o-rings for extra suck - and i modded it for faster travel! it has some kick!!
oil the ring(s) and put a bit on your finger and wipe the inside of the barrel.