I was reading on one of the ECU chipping sites and buddy said he spent $400 for a desoldering tool. Do you really need one, or can you get away with just a regular solder?

 

i use the 12 dollar solder sucker for radio shack, everybody says they suck, but i've used one for so long that i couldn't imagine using anything else. just takes some practice. or you can use de soldering braid for like 3 bucks. it's not worth investing money unless you do it a lot.

 

Tru dat. I use the sucker as well in combo with the desolder braid to clean everything up.

Every once in a while I run into a solder joint that wont suck up too...but the braid sucks it right in.

 

I tried the braid and it sucked my ***, I bought the solder sucker and it sucks the solder instead of my *** so I like it.

 

I have a desolding tool and I actually would rather use the braid.

 

I like braid

 

Same here, it's just a matter of what you feel more comfortable using I guess.

 

I used the sucker from Radio Shack, I mean, it sucks (as in like it's bad) but it works with some patience.

 

When I made my OBD2a-ODB1 I had to use the braid and it works great, the sucker bulb was broken. Also if you dont use flux USE IT. Its the best ---- ever I did half my harness without it and half with it. Its a HUGE difference.

 

The bulb slder sucker tool from radio shack works alright for me.
If you want to use the braid try it with a LITTLE bit of flux on the braid. Stay cleen flux is By far the best. But don't use flux on joints that will flex cause it can cause them to brake ver time.
The easiest way to get rid of solder is to get the joint wet and then Kind of flick the part to thow the solder off.