what do you use for desoldering gun air filters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jheissjr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 04:55:31 am
content: Desoldering guns have an air filter for removing the solder fumes before the vacuum pump. I thought about using a makeup pad for filter material but makeup pads are closed cell polyurethane foam and I don’t think will filter well. I’m not sure what the material is in stock filters. What do you use for filters?

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 06:35:10 am
content: Glass fibre wool, which used to be used as insulation in houses. Also steel wool, sometimes. Obviously it has to be something that will withstand the temperature for sustained periods.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 06:48:26 am
content: My desoldering gun is one of the Chinese models. The filter looks like it's just a thick piece of felt. Definitely not glass fiber or steel wool.

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 10:45:09 am
content: Ceramic filter --https://www.sra-solder.com/soldering-equipment/spare-parts-aoyue/replacement-ceramic-filter-6-packThough, lately I favor mechanical desldering sucker. It's much more efficient. They make good mechanical suckers now -https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807148292729.html

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 11:00:00 am
content: Quote from: u666sa on May 12, 2025, 10:45:09 amHave you found a reaction-free one? My problem with the mechanical type is that they kick the PCB, which therefore has to be rigidly held or else it will jump away from the sucker. Also, you have to remove the soldering iron before applying the sucker, which can lead to the solder partially setting so it isn't all removed.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 11:18:32 am
content: Quote from: jheissjr on May 12, 2025, 04:55:31 amFumes are not removed by particulate filters. There may be some absorption, but that is not the primary purpose. Activated carbon (or similar) as used by spray painters may work, but is that a real problem? The only fumes produced are from flux or other volatiles. Lead fumes are trivial. I just use the filters provided. You could, of course, do everything in an appropriate chemical fume hood with an exhaust to the outside.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 01:21:43 pm
content: My PACE uses a similar filter, I have not found a replacement. I purchased a bag of these filters, not horrible expensive. Went with cut FFP2 masks as secondary filter.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 05:22:25 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on May 12, 2025, 11:18:32 amFlux produces mostly smoke, which is particulate. The smoke definitely gets trapped by these ceramic fiber filters. Some non-particulate chemical fumes are also produced, but the majority of what comes from heated flux is actually smoke.If the filter is still in good physical condition, then you can clean away the flux gunk by soaking it in a little bit of acetone. The filter will not be affected at all by the solvent, since it is inorganic ceramic. I use a small glass bottle with approx. 100 mL of acetone. I drop the filter in, shake it around for a minute, let it sit for 10+ minutes (to let any metallic/lead residue settle) then extract with tweezers. Blot dry on paper towel, then repeat with another bottle of 99% IPA (Isopropanol). Blot dry and allow to air dry, and it is ready to re-use. The filters for my Metcal MX-DS1 are rather expensive and only available by mail order, so I re-use them whenever possible. The solvents are cheap and reusable many times over. Dirty, clogged filters can severely hamper the performance of a desoldering iron, so make sure they are always clean.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 05:33:21 pm
content: Unsure of the dimensions but it looks identical to the felt discs used in the Pace SX-70/90/100 solder extractor hand pieces. I don’t have access to my tools ATM to measure the OD but if you measure yours and post, I’m sure there are plenty of Pace owners here that could check for you.Readily available in the US, Pace # 1309-0018-P10 for 10 pcs or -P50 for a bag of 50. Here’s a pack of ten for reference:https://www.newark.com/pace/1309-0018-p10/sodr-x-tractor-filter-sx-70-hand/dp/72C2497

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 09:52:40 pm
content: Quote from: SteveThackery on May 12, 2025, 11:00:00 amNo. and No. Because this new sucker has soft and heat resistant silicone hose. Board does not jump. You don't have to remove solder iron. Suction is about 6 times more than on regular old school plastic sucker.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 10:52:25 pm
content: Quote from: Haenk on May 12, 2025, 01:21:43 pmNo. Pace does not use glass or ceramic wool filters. The primary filter is just a chunk of simple felt. The secondary filter (“Visi-Filter”) is some kind of nonwoven synthetic filter medium.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 10:59:34 pm
content: Quote from: jheissjr on May 12, 2025, 04:55:31 amIf you treat them gently, you can reuse the filters countless times by washing with acetone, just like macboy said. I do this at work with the old Weller desoldering gun.Is that wad of white stuff in the collection barrel original from the factory?? If not, what is it?What works well in the barrels as a prefilter is a wad of brass wool stolen from your soldering iron stand.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 12:29:06 am
content: Because my Aoyue is a clone of an older Hakko, I use genuine Hakko filters in both the gun and the inlet of the base. Dunno what they are made of, but they flow well and certainly collect flux residue.

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 01:02:55 am
content: "what do you use for desoldering gun air filters"Coffee filters on my old Pace, replaced about once a year when I see a discoloration.There is about a meter of tubing before reaching the unit so heat is not an issue. Furthermore there is an undulated aluminium strip in a glass tube at the handpiece that traps the solder blobs.Must have been doing this for nearly 20 years and the pump is still happy.

author: neillnz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 04:44:43 am
content: For my clone ZD915 I use these felt pads within the handpeice. They do the job and a lifetime supply can be had for almost nothing:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823453580.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.1135.21e71802ZDFmZNFor the filter at the base station end I use a thin 20mm makeup cotton filter, also from Ali Express. The store is no longer there so there is no link to post.

author: jheissjr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 06:49:59 am
content: Quote from: tooki on May 12, 2025, 10:59:34 pmThe white thing is a cotton ball. It does a good job of keeping the filter and region behind the cotton clean.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 05:16:26 pm
content: I guess I wouldn’t want anything flammable anywhere near the hot end of the handpiece. I highly suggest replacing the cotton with the wad of brass wool I mentioned.

author: porter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 09:09:00 pm
content: HP3478A (upper unit) from ebay. I hope I'm not starting a collection.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2025, 11:51:35 pm
content: Quote from: porter on May 14, 2025, 09:09:00 pmYou sure you're in the right thread?

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2025, 08:59:54 am
content: They have been making good piston style solder suckers for many years.https://www.amazon.com/EDSYN-The-Original-Deluxe-SOLDAPULLT/dp/B006GOKVKI/ref=asc_df_B006GOKVKI?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80745502881004&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584345029567636&psc=1If you hold the sucker at an angle to the PCB you can sneak the soldering iron tip under the edge. I think that style solder sucker is better because there is a much larger volume of air and a higher velocity.But you need to get the full sized one as I linked to. The small ones are cute, but don't do a very good job.I have used this make and model for over 50 years. There is none better. And you can get replacement tips.Quote from: SteveThackery on May 12, 2025, 11:00:00 am

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 04:05:03 am
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on May 12, 2025, 06:48:26 amCould it be asbestos?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/warning-yihua-948-desoldering-station-may-contain-asbestos-filters/