Solder Wick or Solder Pump?

[BuddytheReow]

I've been using a solder pump whenever I need to pull a part out. Is soldering wick easier to work with?

 

[Barry]

I like to use a pump then braid to finish up, just be sure to flux the braid (wick)

 

[Nostradoomus]

I got one of those engineer solder suckers with the flexible tip...wick is a last resort now.

 

[Robert]

I use both, it just depends on the situation.

A desoldering pump usually does a better job removing solder from a plated through-hole but isn't quite as effective on SMD pads.

I'll second the Engineer SS-02. It's the best manual desoldering pump I've used in 20+ years.

As for wick, a roll of Chemtronics 10-25L Chem-Wik will last quite a while and is the best I've ever used. It's already coated with rosin flux so it sucks off solder like a magnet.

 

[spi]

Usually a pump works better than a wick for me.

 

[Caedarn]

I'll second the Engineer SS-02. It's the best manual desoldering pump I've used in 20+ years.

Late to the party, but I'll also chime in on the SS-02. It works extremely well and is worth the cost. It performs much better than one of the $5 plastic solder suckers. I don't have much luck with solder wick