How to best clean out a solder hole after desoldering?

[aphexii]

After removing a part, I always have an issue with solder still in the hole. I have a desoldering braid, but it can only do so much pulling it out of the hole itself.

Do I need a desoldering bulb?

 

[Punnisher]

No, just use the braid along with a liberal amount of flux. That will get it out in no time.

You could also try your luck with a solder sucker. Those work pretty well for some situations.

 

[Fred_fred2004]

I heat up the hole and very quickly blow through it (watch your lips) or if I can't get close enough I heat it up and push a resistor lead through it keep it moving so it doesn't get a chance to solder in the hole.

 

[lacrossebowe8]

you can also try using the end of a braid twisted tightly somewhat inserted into the hole. This almost always works for me.

 

[amb]

My trick is to use a stainless steel dental pick. Heat the pad to melt the solder, then stick the dental pick through the hole. The solder doesn't stick to the stainless surface of the pick, and you can clear the hole without a lot of heat or time (which could lift the pad).

 

[Uncle Erik]

I invested in a desoldering station a few years back, but I used to use a bulb pretty often. Other techniques that worked were heating up the hole and using a dental pick to push away solder, and sticking a clipped lead into the hole (while hot) and pulling it through.

 

[Duggeh]

I've always just used some cheap speaker wire dipped in flux and trim it back but cutting off the bits that end up tinned. Then again my soldering skill is analogous to Ben Afflecks acting ability.

 

[rembrant]

The venerable solder sucker is what I always use. Once you get a good one with a silicon tip, it takes seconds. Just pop and it's done.

 

[deltaydeltax]

I use a desoldering tool. Sometimes desoldering the board from the bottom works well as gravity also helps you out.

 

[NightOwl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amb /img/forum/go_quote.gif My trick is to use a stainless steel dental pick. Heat the pad to melt the solder, then stick the dental pick through the hole. The solder doesn't stick to the stainless surface of the pick, and you can clear the hole without a lot of heat or time (which could lift the pad).

x2

 

[Juaquin]

Solder sucker (desoldering tool) is the preferred method for holes. Check out Tangent's desoldering tutorial, I just watched it yesterday and there were a few techniques I haven't thought of.

 

[compuryan]

You can always just heat it up and jam something through the hole. Dental pick works well if you have one, a mechanical pencil would also work.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Great tips !!!

Where does one buy a SS dental pick ? The local Drug mart/Wal Mart/Superstore had nothing of the kind......

Peete.

 

[srserl]

Since I don't have dental picks, I just use some picks I got in a soldering kit. They seem to be coated with a non-stick coating. Just melt the solder, stick the pick in the hole and remove the heat.

Scott

 

[digger945]

I just tried Chem-WIK rosin SD.
Works pretty darn good.