desoldering pump or solder wick

[JimmyDean]

Ok, so wick is pissing me off. It takes FOREVER to desolder something, and I was wondering if a pump is better

[bicostp]

How powerful is your iron? Desoldering wick takes longer with low wattage irons. (Mine is about 65 watts and it only takes a couple seconds to work.)

[JimmyDean]

I think about 40 watts. The number has worn off after years of use.
Ha, they slapped it right on the part where you hold it!
Its time to admit that I think I've hacked up everything in my house at one time or another.

[limpport]

Pumps are amazing. Get one. Don't ask questions, just do it.

[JimmyDean]

thanks! I'll get a pump sometime today!

[stuntpenguin007]

depends on the situation. I love my desoldering pump, but when I'm desoldering surface mount devices, I use desoldering wick with flux.

[JimmyDean]

I don't do much surface mount soldering, so I suppose that a pump would be ideal for me?

[Metallica Man X]

I've never used a wick, only a pump over the years spent doing electronical things...so I would thinks so

[windwaker]

do you replace or sharpen the tips and clean it

[JimmyDean]

yes, I take very good care of my soldering iron.

[timmeh87]

Pump for through hole pins. Wick for everything

[windwaker]

my dads that i use is 20 watts and it works fine what are you desoldering?

[timmeh87]

Really, 20W? I have a 20W iron that's really, really small and it works great on really really small things ... but something of "regular size" needs like 50w or I start to get pretty angry at it.

[JimmyDean]

okay, so pumps for through-hole soldering, and wick for surface mount?

[mako321]

yeah, that's what has always worked for me.