Clogged desoldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 01:24:54 am
content: I have one of those Chinese desoldering stations ZD-985. Generally it has been fine for the price, and I have used it to repair all manner of equipment.Now the main tube inside the tip of the gun is clogged and I don't see to be able to get it unclogged with one of the reamer tools that comes with it.Any suggestions? Drill bit? The clog is about 2/3 the way in from the tip to the little tube that catches the solder.Thanks.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 01:38:03 am
content: Yes, you can use a drill bit of the correct diameter in a pin vise. Solder is so soft that you can turn the drill manually and it will scrape it out.You could also put the desoldering gun in a bench vise and the drill bit in a brace. Up to you, really. Just don't use an electric drill

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 01:56:47 am
content: Remove the Glass and the front black rubber [slightly pry it]Power on the desoldering station until the tip is hot [about 10 mins].use another soldering iron to heat the tube from inside while you use the cleaning tools to poke it through.The solder will completely melt and easy to poke through.No need use drill bit.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 03:33:38 am
content: Thanks, guys. Will try.

author: Samogon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 03:59:36 am
content: Was going to write exactly as Armadillo said.Had to clean exactly the same gun.I have figured out that when desoldering massive blobs better to pull trigger little bit longer to let it suck all solder out of tube. And dont turn off until you sure it is empty.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 08:07:47 am
content: It is standard procedure, and essential, to let the pump 'run on' for a second or two to clear the tip after the tool is removed from the solder joint. I find it difficult to remember to do this, and my Pace MBT WILL clog reliably if I forget for a few joints. I have never seen a desolder system with a pump run-on timer, and intend to fit one the next time I have an idle hour.BT

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 09:38:24 am
content: Run a length of solid copper wire down the main tube instead of the cleaning rod (something like UHF coax inner). It will conduct element heat back to the blockage much more efficiently than the steel rod.... and watch your fingers for the same reason!These things work a lot more efficiently if you hold the board vertical and the gun horizontal. It stops the crud in the collector from falling back onto the end of the tube. It's more comfortable to use that way too.

author: IAmBack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 10:24:40 am
content: Set the temp of the tip to 400+ deg, then use the ramrod-wire which came with the unit. Helped me once or twice.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 10:39:18 am
content: Yes, definitely let it pull a bit longer. Why guns don't do this automatically is a mystery.

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 11:16:26 am
content: The solder will still be in a state of molten at the back of the tube regardless until you off that power.So the proper procedure would be;Always, before you turn off that power to the desoldering station,Press the suction and "Poke through One, Two". That's it.Then off the power.Build that into the habit and sunshine every morning.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 11:25:34 am
content: I had this exact same problem with the same desoldering gun too. A small drill bit fixed in a chuck and slowly turning it by hand in order to not damage the tube let me remove the clog. Not a fun job - ever since I am obsessively cleaning the nozzle using that cleaning wire every few sucked off joints just to be sure the solder doesn't accumulate in it.Also the advice to let the pump run a bit longer to make sure the solder goes all the way through into the collector is good - I have discovered that as well.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 11:33:17 am
content: Twice I had a serious clog on my 985. First time I took the tube off, turned the temp to max, ran it a bit and then used the ramrod to clean it. The second time, it didn't work so I applied heat from my soldering iron to the inside part of the tube and kept the heat there whilst poking with the ramrod until the clog was clear. I am now careful to run it for a couple of seconds after cleaning the joint.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 12:47:28 pm
content: And there's me thinking bench vice, oxy & 100psi of compressed air.Worked for my blocked aoyue tip. I'm always worried the drill bit will damage the plating inside the bit/tube and make it easier to clog.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 01:40:48 pm
content: Afrox ( and all welding shops that stock acetylene welding equipment) has a nifty cleaning kit that is a selection of thin wire files, a simple flat file all in a nice neat folding metal case, used to clean out carbon from cutting and welding heads, which build up a similar ultra hard carbon film as well. Just start with a small size and ream out till clear.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2017, 04:16:21 pm
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on July 22, 2017, 08:07:47 am+1 to this. You must have the pump running as you remove the tip, and you should be wiggling the tip back and forth lightly as you react it. This allows cool air to continue to be pulled through the piece and helps prevent the wire, lead from sticking to the residual solder in the hole plating.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 12:04:29 am
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on July 22, 2017, 08:07:47 amI do normally do this. Not sure how this got so clogged this time.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 12:08:16 am
content: So I tried turning it on full heat for ten minutes... still could not unclog with the ram rod.I tried heating the back of the tube with another soldering iron (both on). Still could not unclog.I tried heat the front of the tube with another soldering iron. Still could not unclog.I finally used a small drill bit and turned it by hand. This gradually brought out little bits of solder, as I pulled the drill bit out periodically. Finally it made its way all the way through and things were good.Thanks.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 12:27:41 pm
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on July 23, 2017, 12:08:16 amI had the same experience - this gun heats mostly in the front, near the nozzle. If the clog is in the back, towards the collector, turning the heat up only risks damaging the heater (had one burn out already) but is not likely to melt the clog.Heating with a soldering iron is useless, because the only contact is with the back of the tube, which is too little to ensure sufficient heat transfer, given the large thermal masses.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 12:47:23 pm
content: I don't understand why people are resorting to messy, time consuming, and potentially damaging efforts when you can simply sort it by sticking a nice thick thermally conductive piece of copper wire down the spout.The element has plenty of power to clear the blockage, you just need to conduct it to the right place.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 04:27:29 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on July 23, 2017, 12:47:23 pmWell, your posting on this came too lateI was indeed trying to get more solder IN the tube in order to conduct the heat inward. Next time I shall try a copper wire. But the drill bit worked well when turned gently by hand.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 06:41:50 pm
content: Sorry FlyingHacker, I sounded bad-tempered.Actually the first time I got mine (s/h) I ended up doing exactly the same, then hit on the copper wire idea. I've posted it as a solution before in other threads but it always seems to come round to the drill bit each time.The wire actually comes back out heavily tinned, implying that it has scavenged a lot more solder out of the tube than just the blockage.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2017, 07:15:39 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on July 23, 2017, 12:47:23 pmBecause if it doesn't work, you then have a copper wire soldered into the tubeI have had good results with the drill bit method, once I got a long enough bit.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2017, 12:29:38 am
content: I used a power drill, which i keep at the bench, anyway. Worked hot or cold. I dont see how a copper wire is faster or better. Worked fine, up until i chalked up desoldering station as a failed experiment. It doesnt do anything for me which justifies its existence.I didnt use a drill bit, though. I used a steel piano wire with a tiny bend in the end. It was just something that was laying around. And it worked. And i kept using it.

author: rbm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2017, 01:45:02 am
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on July 22, 2017, 10:39:18 amMy Weller WDS 1002 station does just that. The duration is programmable as well.

author: FlyingHacker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2017, 02:07:50 am
content: I see a 555 hack coming...

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2017, 11:42:59 pm
content: Quote from: FlyingHacker on July 25, 2017, 02:07:50 amYou see correctly. I've been giving dirty looks to my Hakko 707 and it's probably gonna get some sort of modification.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 12:48:50 pm
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on July 22, 2017, 08:07:47 amIn effect, my 15 years old JBC desoldering station has this: a timer that power the pump for about one second after you relase the trigger buttomBut it has a lot of other ptoblems, so I bought a ZD-985 (for less thr cost of the spares my JBC requires, and I'm happy with it..

author: Langdon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2024, 09:54:30 pm
content: Copper wire is the way to go.Get some pliers(your favourite pair, probably needle-nose) and grab it and push it gently down trhe hole to mel all the solder and unclog it.Make sure you tin the tip with the wire inside periodically for good heat transmission.Then just run the pump a bit to get it all out.It is better to unclog it before it clogs completely.Just give it a good ol' wire treatment every once in a while.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2024, 10:50:53 pm
content: I have the drills and prongs but looking after your Hakko FR-301 is more involved than I imagined

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2024, 01:31:31 am
content: Quote from: Langdon on January 26, 2024, 09:54:30 pmNo! Use stainless steel wire that solder won't stick to.You can buy this handy set from Metcal:https://store.metcal.com/en-us/shop/soldering-desoldering/soldering-desoldering-accessories/AC-TC

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2024, 01:05:43 pm
content: Folks, that is a 7 years old thread you are reviving. The poster you are replying to possibly doesn't even have that device anymore.

author: donlisms
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2024, 08:34:38 pm
content: And yet... millions of people, all around the world, are still clogging their desoldering guns, and looking to this very forum for answers!(Besides... stainless steel has an order of magnitude less thermal conductance than copper, so... maybe not such a good approach. Solder sticks to copper in millions of circumstances, all around the world, every day, and people consider that a "good thing.")

author: Paceguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2024, 10:23:50 pm
content: My Pace desoldering handpiece also clogs from time to time. I heat it up and use tip cleaning tool and un-clog it.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2024, 03:34:53 pm
content: I started using Anti Seize compound on the inner tube of my solder suckers (Pace) and also on some tips that get stuck. It works very well. the stuff I bought at an auto supply is essentially aluminum and the solvent burns off quickly leaving a thin Al coating which helps a lot. I also think there is a copper based paste. This sort of thing has been recommended by some solder station manufacturers in the past. Anti Seize compound is used on hot engine parts and also on jet engines etc...You just apply some of the paste to the inside of the tube with a wooden stick.I also have a clean out tool that looks like a thin screwdriver and a custom made round steel rod that fits into the tubeSolder Suckers require maintenance, unfortunately.

author: djc6
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2024, 09:44:48 pm
content: Thanks for the tip on using a drill - let it cool down, I had to take the gun apart to use a drill from the back side of the heating element. 1/16th bit fit fine.I found this method a lot safer than what I did a couple years ago which was remove a clog with the help of a soldering iron - since I wasn't having to use any force pushing the ramrod near a hot iron and hot desoldering gun.

author: Langdon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2024, 01:57:56 pm
content: Unclogging a de-soldering iron is easy.It just takes a little time.1. Turn on the de-soldering iron/station and set it to the minimum temperature.2. Get a piece of copper wire a bit thinner than the inside of the desoldering tip and hold it with some pliers.3. Set the desoldering iron to the temperature required to heat the solder you use with ease.4. If applicable, press the button on the back to get the iron ready to vacuum.4. Wipe the tip of the desoldering iron and re-tin with flux core solder (probably lead-based solder is better for desoldering).5. Push the copper wire slowly through the hole and let it heat up.6. Use the copper wire to transmit heat from the tip to the clog to melt the clog.7. Suck up the melted clog.To prevent future clogs, make sure you preheat your desoldering iron for as long as possible at a low temperature before use.Make sure the tip is always tinned and cleaned.Always leave the tip wet with flux core solder to prevent corrosion.If using a desoldering station, make sure to keep pressing the vacuum button until all solder is vacuumed out of the iron.Any solder left behind will cause a clog.

author: Langdon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2024, 02:00:13 pm
content: Copper wire is the best method.Thanks Gyro!