Keep solder wick fresh, how to?

[all_repair]

Wondering how you guy keep your solder wick fresh?
I just change to this, from a tupperware type container.  Hope this can help:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000UMG3MM/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[GreyWoolfe]

I use tupperware, doesn't seem to be an issue.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I've never had a problem with it - I use Chemtronics Soder-Wick, and even old stuff stored in an open bin with no special precautions is fine even after a few years.

[nctnico]

I second the Chemtronics Soder-Wick suggestion. Expensive but well worth the money and it doesn't seem to expire.

[all_repair]

I am using "goot" solder wick.  Did not know and did not expect they can be so different, and have stocked up quite a lot also

[Rick Law]

I am using solder I purchased in 1977 (5core rosin) stored on the shelf in the basement.  I only took it back out of the cardboard box just a year ago when I re-discovered electronics.

The alloy (lead/tin) will probably outlast me.  The solder sealed in the flux core.    There is not much to keep fresh.

It still works like a charm.

[Tube_Dude]

I live at 8 km from Atlantic Ocean, only use Goot Solder Wick and keep it without any special precautions in a drawer for months, sometimes years, because I buy it in quantity, and never had a problem or noticing is getting oxidized...

[mikeselectricstuff]

10 packs of Soder-Wick do come in sealed tins, but at a higher cost than buying 10 individual reels

[all_repair]

I live at 8 km from Atlantic Ocean, only use Goot Solder Wick and keep it without any special precautions in a drawer for months, sometimes years, because I buy it in quantity, and never had a problem or noticing is getting oxidized...

I found for some hard to suck up solder in a hard to reach seam, fresh solder wick can suck better than an old wick.   For flat surface mount pad, the old wicks are usable.  My challenge is using wick  for a non-destructive desoldering of multiple legs through-hole module/component like IGBT module, LED module, etc.  Am I blind-sighted somewhere?

[Tube_Dude]

What I found, but you must already know it, is that adding some fresh solder to the joint, made it suck more efficiently...

Sometimes (rarely) I even find it in very well isolated closed bags...

[mzzj]

I am using "goots" solder wick.  Did not know and did not expect they can be so different, and have stocked up quite a lot also

"goot" will turn bad in 1-2 years. Chemtronics Soder-Wick is worth every extra penny compared to cheaper "brands"

[Bored@Work]

Soak the wick in flux if it (appears to) deteriorate.

[Vgkid]

On the topic of solder wick, does anyone have experience with tinned solder wick?

[tom66]

CPC sell Chemtronics Soder-Wick (non-lead-free version) for about £2.50 inc VAT for the widest version. I'll usually stick a reel on to an order now and then.

[AmmoJammo]

Soak the wick in flux if it (appears to) deteriorate.

Don't do that... at least not with a whole roll :p

Where I used to work, we used to buy 10 metre (possibly longer...) rolls of solder wick... one roll seemed to be lacking as much flux as usual, so one of the workers coated the whole roll in a pretty mild flux....

Within a week, the whole roll was useless 

[neslekkim]

I just brush some flux on it if I see that the braid isn't working too well..

[nanofrog]

Another Chemtronics Soder-Wick user. I've some rosin type that's years old, and still works like a charm. 

If adding solder doesn't work, then perhaps some fresh flux on just the amount of wick you need.

[Dago]

Never had a problem with expired solder wick.

I do pretty much always use flux with solder wick.

[Richard Head]

I used to make my own solder wick years ago using coax braid and Fluxite flux. Smelled a bit when used and had excess flux but worked well.
Soder wick gets a thumbs-up from me too, but pricey as mentioned.

[T3sl4co1l]

Nth'd the Chemtronics and/or flux.  I've never had a hunk of the 'good stuff' that didn't work, and even the cheap stuff works fine with a dab of flux.

Regarding substitutes, braid isn't usually tight enough or fine enough to do a good job, but hey, if you're desperate and don't have anything better, by all means, use whatever works!

Tim

[Richard Head]

T3kgl

Agreed, the braid of coax is a bit loose but it worked for large pad leaded boards of yesteryear.
I like the Soderwick brand but would like to be able to purchase 50m rolls, just to try get the price down.
For SMD stuff solderwick is indispensable. I use it all the time.

[Psi]

+1 for chemtronics.

What can i say, it always works.

[Kjelt]

When I get fresh stuff I cut a 10 pieces to length and vacuum and seal it in a food vacuumbags, the rest of the role in another bag.

[Psi]

i just leave my chemtronics sitting on the work bench.

[BillyD]

Just curious - what makes it degrade anyway? Does it corrode/oxidise?