Re-Soldering

[deliveryguy]

Here's a question for all you electronics gurus - what do you think of re-soldering? Say I have a wire with a bit of solder on it from a previous connection, but I don't have a solder pump or any solder-absorbing thread so I can't get rid of the existing solder, and I want to make a new connection. Should I just use more solder or merge the connection using the existing solder?

[Pyro81]

I can't see any reason why you couldn't reuse the existing solder.

[jerock03]

I make custom cables all the time here in the shop, Reusing solder does work, as long as you have enough to securely attach everything. Ideally you want to clean it and use new, but if you are without tools to do so, you do what you can. Shouldn't be an issue.

[Aries]

Is there anything stopping you from cutting off the soldered part of the wire and stripping yourself a new section?

[deliveryguy]

I've only got about 1/16" to work with, so cutting wasn't an option. Thanks for the help!

[bgred619]

in the past ive used my sponge on my soldering station or a wet rag to wipe some of the excess solder away.
depending on what your soldering i always try and use new solder..

[deliveryguy]

Thanks - I was trying to think of a way to get the re-heated solder off of the wire, but I was working with two wires within close proximity (pencil eraser) so I didn't want to cross-connect the wires by wiping the solder the wrong way, you know? I completed the project though. Thanks Kipkay!

w00t