Desoldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 06:11:31 pm
content: What are your thoughts about this one?https://www.amazon.com/Desoldering-Station-160%C2%B0C-480%C2%B0C-Display/dp/B0BNR1XCKXI tried a YIHUA 929D and it was useless. Added flux, more solder, all the usual but no joy.

author: thephil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 08:54:01 pm
content: Looks like any of those cheap desoldering guns. They work. Not spectacularly well, but typically ok for the price.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:36:01 pm
content: Correct forum is here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/You should find some existing desoldering station discussions.929D is only 30W so makes sense if its garbage.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:52:26 pm
content: It will probably work OK but you'll spend quite a bit of time cleaning tips and keeping it from getting clogged. If enough crud gets in the tube it will clog up completely and if you can't ream it out, you'll need a new heater.I've had this style--cheap ones and the Hakko FR301--and now I have the Pace system. I know Pace is expensive, but I'd rather trade in my Fluke 289 for Zoyi ZT-225 than trade my Pace SX-100 for one of these. I'd spend some time stalking the Pace stuff on eBay and see if you get lucky.

author: Fflint
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 12:44:42 am
content: Looks like any generic one including one I have. As others said you will spend some time declogging it. Especially if you have a habit of starting it, waiting for the tip to heat and then gulping a huge blob of solder... The best way I found to clean them is to open the "gun". Heat the output tube with a big chisel soldering iron and when it melts push through with a cleaning tool.They are absolutely great if you need one though. For things like desoldering mosfet or anything through hole. Although I use it to desolder ldmos chips too (to remove most of the solder from the pad).It's a very useful tool if you have enough desk space for one.

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 05:29:38 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on April 16, 2025, 11:52:26 pmAgreed on the Hakko. You need to maintain it like a rifle used in sharpshooter tournaments. It is OK for me since I am not pro, but I wind using the wick braid more often than the Hakko. It has got to be cleaned at once a day even if only used once. Solder collects on the vacuum port in the back and the filters have to be checked.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 06:29:51 pm
content: Quote from: Fflint on April 17, 2025, 12:44:42 amTrick is let it heat up properly. If you try desoldering too soon then last part of the tube is not hot enough yet and solder solidifies..Also make sure to properly heat the joint so the solder is soaked with heath..Your technique to clean it is same as I used to do. But since I realized what the problem was, I just let it heat up few more minutes.If I think I will be desoldering something I switch it on first..One of the high powered Hakko newer desoldering guns (for stations not standalone) actually explains in their brochure that it is much better than the old one because they made heater longer to heat longer part of tube to avoid clogging.

author: Paceguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2025, 09:44:24 am
content: It depends on your budget and what you are willing to spend. I would suggest that you skip these cheaper de-soldering stations and put your money on a Pace system. As stated by others, you get what you pay for. I own a few second hand Pace stations and I'm very happy with them. You can find them and spare parts on ebay at much less than the cost new.

author: geralds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2025, 12:08:57 pm
content: I got the WEP 948 recently. Shd be the same as the Yihua 948 (with 90W). You can get it for around EUR 110 on Aliexpress.I use it only occasionally, and does its jobs, if you add some solder prior to desoldering, and use the right nozzle size. I have not done any testing on the vac pump yet, but will do later when I have time. Some have suggested some mods to improve the vac power:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/yihua-948-suction-upgrade/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/desoldering-gun-yihua-948-vs-zhongi-zd-8965/msg5624163/#msg5624163I agree that if you need this for regular / professional use (and earn some money with it?) then I would look at PACE or Hakko or similar professional desoldering stations.I also have a Toolcraft desoldering iron (shd be equivalent to Yihua 929?):https://www.conrad.de/de/p/toolcraft-entloetkolben-2521200.html.It also works surprisingly well for me (again, I usually add some solder and/or flux prior to desoldering). At least on some older PCBs, e.g. in old hifi equipment etc. I got it because it was a low cost option at the time (approx. EUR 20), und is very portable. But for regular use it seems a bit tiresome.