2UUL DW16 Solder Vampire Desoldering Wick 2015 (10 Rolls)

Wick that sits open on a bench for months oxidises. Then it takes up solder slowly and needs more heat. Keeping rolls sealed until you need them avoids that, which is the idea behind this individually packed box.

The 2UUL DW16 Solder Vampire comes as a box of 10 rolls, each packed separately. The braid is the 2015 size: 2.0 mm wide and 1.5 m long. According to the listing, the dense copper weave soaks up solder quickly, leaves little residue and resists oxidation in storage.

What it handles

• Solder bridges between pins that cause a short.

• Excess solder left on joints after rework, which can stop a new part sitting flat.

• Pads that need clearing after a dead chip has been removed.

• Narrow gaps between components where a stray blob of solder could cause damage.

Getting the most from it

Open one roll at a time and keep the rest sealed. Flux the area, press the braid down with a hot iron, and lift both together once the solder has been absorbed.

Because each roll is packed separately, rolls are easy to hand out to different benches or technicians.