Wick Winder - A 3D-Printed Solder Wick Dispenser with Integrated Container
A 3D-Printed Solution for a Tidy Soldering Station: The Wick Winder
Anyone who spends time at a soldering station knows that solder wick is an essential tool. It’s indispensable for removing excess solder, cleaning up pads, or desoldering components. However, managing the spool and disposing of the used, hot clippings can be awkward and messy. The used wick can’t be reused, so it’s typically cut off after each use, leaving you with small, hot pieces of metal to deal with.
To streamline this process, I designed the Wick Winder—a fully 3D-printed solder wick dispenser with an integrated container for waste.
Key Features
- All-in-One Design: This tool neatly dispenses fresh solder wick from its spool and provides a convenient, built-in receptacle for the used clippings.
- Winder Mechanism: The design includes a simple winder to retract any unused wick, helping to reduce waste and keep your workspace tidy.
- Optimized for 3D Printing: The entire assembly is 3D-printed and snaps together without needing any glue or screws, similar to other community-designed tools [11].
Printing and Assembly
The model is designed for a straightforward print. I recommend using PETG for its durability and temperature resistance, though PLA will also work fine. For detailed printing instructions and assembly steps, please see the project page.
Download the Files
This simple tool has made my soldering workflow cleaner and more efficient. If you’d like to print one for yourself, you can find all the files and instructions on Printables.
Download the Wick Winder on Printables.com
Let me know if you print one. I’d love to see it!
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