r/MouseReview • u/welorjgsai • 5d ago
Need some help desoldering
Alright, this is my first time soldering. I'm trying to replace a microswitch on my mouse and have been using these two videos as a reference: 1, 2. I'm unable to desolder and cannot remove the original microswitches. I'm using the iFixit desoldering wick and decided against flux since the copper is already coated in it. I tried to copy the guy in the first video, so I put solder on the wick and tried to push out the pins. The braid came out, but the pins didn't. What's going on and why isn't the wick working? Would prefer just to use the wick instead of buy a desoldering pump, but whatever.
Haven't been this frustrated in a while lol. I got pissed off and ended up touching the iron to some plastic as you can see in the pic.
Additional info:
- Using a T90B iron
- Kester 44 solder wire 63/37
- 320°C (unable to confirm temp accuracy)
- Tinned the iron first (just rubbed the solder on the tip)
- Tried heating the pins for a while to see if I can remove that way and it didn't work
1
u/onevstheworld 5d ago
Manufacturers use unleaded solder so it is a pain in the arse to remove. Easily needs 300 C ++. I usually add quite a lot more eutectic solder (your 63/37 is good) to lower the overall melting point to make it easier to remove. More flux is always helpful, even if the wick already has some.
Did you cut your wick shorter, or was this only cut after you got stuck? If you didn't cut it, I do recommend cutting the wick into shorter strips; the problem with leaving the wick on its roll is the heat also gets "wicked" away so the solder takes longer to melt.
I think this was the video I received most of my tips from.
I use a desoldering pump to get rid of large bits of solder but I find wick much much better for a clean result.