EasyBraid - How to choose the right Desoldering Braid

Desoldering Braid Features:

Concentrated fine copper braiding utilizes less length of wick for each desoldering application

Made of clean, oxide-free copper wire; tight weave enables quick “on and off” desoldering

Leaves a residue that is environmentally safe

Manufactured in the USA

What is Desoldering Braid?

Desoldering braid consists of copper wire that has been braided and coated with flux. The desoldering braid gets used in conjunction with a soldering iron to remove solder from solder joints and components. Desoldering braid can also be known as wick, solder wick, desoldering wick, or solder braid in the marketplace.

How does Desoldering Braid work?

When you lay the desoldering braid over a solder joint and heat it with a soldering iron the solder of the joint melts and the flux on the braid activates. This causes the solder from the joint to flow up into the copper through capillary action. Once the braid has been used and saturated with solder it cannot be used again, you must continue with a new section of clean, copper wire.

How to use Desoldering Braid?

Match flux type to cleaning process.

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Match braid width to the solder joint or contact pad. Smaller widths won’t remove enough solder. Larger widths take longer to heat.

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Match the solder iron tip to the braid width - see industry standard chart below.

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Move solder iron over the braid to avoid scratching pads. Once solder is removed, lift iron tip and braid at same time – this prevents soldering the braid to the board.

Removing the solder braid as quickly as possible avoids excessive heat being placed on the component.

Avoid using the direct edge of the desoldering braid as there is not enough space to disperse the solder.

WickGun™ Dispenser

The desoldering system that fits in the palm of your hand.

arrow_downwardAvailable with replaceable/interchangeable cassettes. See the four types of Desoldering Braid and five sizes below.arrow_downward

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The WickGun™ combines the capability of desoldering braid with the convenience of a hand tool.

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A simple one-handed operation dispenses, positions and cuts off braid.

No waste or contamination associated when using the WickGun™ Dispenser. Braid can be retracted and cut exactly at the point where solder ends. Solderability is enhanced because braid is not contaminated with finger oil or other foreign debris.

To load the WickGun™ dispenser, follow these steps:

Grasp cassette and pull out foam plug, then pull out approximately 2 1/4" (57 mm) of wick.
Insert wick into guide slot. Rotate drive knob in feed direction while seating cassette. Ensure wick is not pinched between cassette and WickGun™ and that cassette alignment tabs are seated in the alignment slots in the gun.
If wick fails to feed, disengage cassette, grasp wick and pull from wick guide slot, do not allow cassette to unwind. Eliminate any kinks and/or frayed wick. Repeat steps 1 – 2.

To operate the WickGun™ dispenser, follow these steps:

Hold with thumb on drive knob and index finger over the trigger.
Rotate drive knob in feed direction exposing 3/4" to 1" (19 to 25 mm) of wick. Do not press on the trigger while dispensing wick.
Perform desoldering operation.
Squeeze trigger to cut off filled wick.

How to Use Desoldering Braid

EasyBraid offers 4 types of Desoldering Braid

Choose one from below to learn more

Quick Braid Rosin

One Step No-Clean

Lead Free

Sea Braid

Quick Braid Rosin

Fastest wicking action and leaves behind residue. Non-acidic meaning it won’t etch the copper and leave open circuits on the PCB board

One Step No-Clean

Flux residue on the board does not need to be cleaned. Our most popular!

Lead Free

Heats up quickly, it prevents heat stress to components

Sea Braid

Unfluxed wire meant for when an aqueous or specific flux is needed, apply flux for solder removal

Below is an industry standard guide that helps you easily refer to the different sizes of desoldering braid.

Width	Color Code	Letter Signifier	Number Signifier
.025"	Gray	A	1
.050"	Yellow	B	2
.075"	Green	C	3
.100"	Blue	D	4
.125"	Brown	E	5

Additional Tips

Make sure the tip of your soldering iron is clean and tinned. You want to remove any oxidation and add fresh solder to the tip which will help the iron conduct heat better.

Try EasyBraid’s Solder Tip Cleaners to help you achieve this!

MENDA’s Wash or Cone Top Bottles can be used with DI Water to wet the Solder Sponges before cleaning the iron tip.
You may find it helpful to use a pair of Tweezers to hold the braid in place. The copper wire becomes hot and using tweezers will allow you to adjust the position during soldering and ensures operator safety.