Computer repair question

MindLib

I'm going to replace the power jack on my laptop. Could someone who knows a thing or two tell me if a desoldering pump is completely necessary for the repair? I have the iron and the solder, I recognize I need to desolder the old jack to put the new one in, a few guides I saw online are using a desoldering pump but I couldn't find one at the local hardware store where I can the iron.

Thanks.

Djeet

I could never find a bulb either so I use de-soldering braid. It may not be strictly necessary, but I've always used it thinking that the old solder is going to be annoying to deal with and you don't want to apply excessive heat to the components with which you're working.

AtomBomb

It certainly makes it easier, but you can do it without. You just have to be a bit more creative/patient in removing the old solder.

MindLib

I tried doing it without. Couldn't do it. There are, count 'em, 8 contacts for this fucking thing. Can't seem to get one loose before the solder re-solidifies, called radioshaq, they sell the bulb. So I'm getting me that tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

Spudge

As a professional solderer I recommend braid over the bulb - Soder-Wick is the bestevs

But it all comes down to personal preference I guess. If you're working with SMC components (or small contacts) the braid is better as it picks up more solder, more efficiently, than a pump. But if you're working with axial or large contacts/legs a pump would suffice

Also, in this case, you could consider cutting the legs from the old unit, removing them one by one, then installing the new unit