Chemtronics Desoldering Braid, Chem-Wik, Rosin Coated, 10-50L Gauge, 50 Feet Length

jayhook22000: This product name says it all. Cheaper wick is just that..cheap. this wick sucks up more solder in less time.

United States on Jun 20, 2023

CustomZ02: I had been purchasing solder wick from another vendor as they had quality wick. But their prices were inflated for 10ft rolls. This 50ft roll is the exact same quality, if not the exact same wick at the same price. Will be purchasing more, highly recommended.

United States on Jan 02, 2023

Amazon Customer: This has 50 feet of desoldering braid, which is more than most hobbyists or perhaps even some professionals will ever need in their lifetime. Most other desoldering braids sold here are only 10 feet.

The braid comes in a 2-part plastic container. The two parts combine to become the round container pictured. You can easily pop open the parts just by pressing on the middle with your thumb. It's not necessary to open it, but it's the easiest way to get braid out of the roll. Sure, you can pull out more braid while the container is snapped closed, but that may cause the braid to get bent out of shape. I prefer the braid to be perfectly flat with no creases, so I open the container to get more braid as needed.

This braid is quite hungry for solder. It glides smoothly across the PCB surface to "mop up" any excess solder. It can hold thick amounts of solder in a small segment of braid, and the solder naturally spreads to other parts of the braid as you heat it with the iron.

The braid may leave behind a brown, sticky flux residue. This is especially likely to happen if you heat the braid for too long in a spot without much solder for it to absorb. The flux residue is...

United States on Mar 21, 2022

ROB: If you want reliable, fast acting, efficient wicking action, this is the best. I tried using cheaper stuff (because this isn't exactly cheap) and even other name brands, and it's just not worth it. I've used this brand for over 20 years as weekend diy'er after working along side electronics techs who recommended the best test equipment and chemical brands, and this was the only wick advised. I also think Kester is the best solder but there are cheaper solders that work better than cheap solder wick.

Also, I've used this wick where a solder pump could have been used and this wick just sucks all the solder up, better. There is a little technique involved but a little practice is all it takes. This wick won't disappoint.

United States on Feb 26, 2022

Daniel H: I had never used Chem-wik despite being a big fan of Chemtronics. I figured it would be really good solder wick based on reviews and Chemtronics being a good, reliable company.
So I bought this massive roll and couldn't wait to use it.

I cut off a piece, even dipped it in a bit of extra flux and awaited to be amazed at the wicking power...

...and it barely worked. It worked about as well as the worst wick I've ever used, just a bit better than it (a cheap Chinese brand that was copper coated aluminum).

What? How could this be?! Maybe this doesn't need extra flux! I'll try that.
Nope. Even worse.
Ok, let me add more heat. Nope.
Ok, let me try a new tip. Nope.
Ok, let me try something else altogether. I'll desolder something I know my cheaper wicks tear through.

Nope. Mediocre. Surface wicking at best, no full absorption. No pieces that look like strips of solder by the time they're done.

It seems well braided. It seems thick enough. It looks like good wick but I have about 10 other brands that cost a fraction of this price that do a better job. I'm really disappointed and open to the possibility that I got a bad batch or it has...

United States on Sep 30, 2021