Desoldering irons....any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 04:39:38 pm
content: Believe it or not I've only just learned this bit of kit exists, I've been working for 20 years with the old sucky hand pump thing, and sometimes have my wrist or elbow holding the board down, sometimes the nozzle's too big to fit between the adjacent pins, etc. But I thought this was what we had to put up with (how I never noticed these machines before I have no idea).Anyway, just seen a review on onehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sDNxgSsPHI0#t=3sand it seems fairly awesome. Anyone used these things? are they great? or is it all just bull, a nice idea that doesn't work?

author: don.r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 05:24:08 pm
content: More here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/opinions-on-hakko-808-or-clones-mt-993s-993/and here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/duratool-d00674-vacuum-desoldering-station-any-good/

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 06:02:40 pm
content: Desoldering stations can be extremely handy to have.The Hakko mentioned would be an excellent model to consider IMHO, as it's cost is reasonable, and it will have performance closer to the better desoldering stations (JBC, Hakko, Weller, ... types of manufacturers) vs. the Chinese made units IMHO. Cost of this particular Hakko is also quite a bit lower vs. one of the top quality stations as well.Idea of desoldering station costs (US pricing)Hakko FM-204http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoFM204-01.htmlJBC DIS-1B - MS-A Desoldering Station - 120Vhttp://www.janelonline.com/jbc-tools-desoldering-station-p/jbc-tools-dis-1b.htmvs.Hakko 808http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Desoldering-Kit-With-808/dp/B000ARPULW

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 06:13:14 pm
content: I have a duratool one, i think it cost about £60. I bought it for one particular job where I was desoldering a memory ic that would have meant a very big paperweight had i damaged it!It's not a complete replacement for a good solder sucker but it's a great addition. Just make sure you keep it cleaned out!

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 06:41:23 pm
content: I have a Hakko 808 and it sits on my bench for the most part as I just use desoldering braid for most things. BUT, once in a while if I have a lot to do, it is an awesome tool, which saves a bunch of time. Here's a bit of advice though, if you get one, get an extra (larger sized tip) as you'll come across certain leads that won't 'fit' properly in the nozzle.

author: Amarbir[Lynx-India]
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2013, 06:54:11 pm
content: Quote from: Spunky on July 21, 2013, 04:39:38 pmSpunky ,I Use One Of These "Most People Think I Only Sell " .Infact Two Of My Major Daily Activity Is Repairing And Data Recovery " .This Is One Very Good Tool In Repair Lab .The Only Trick I Like To Teach People Here is That If You Have a Pad Surrounded With Cooper Ground Plain/Cooper Poured You Will Have Issues Sucking the Damn Thing .I Take The Nozzle Of My Hot Air Station Preheat The Section And Wammmm Its Out .In India We Sell By the Name Of MTQ-915 I Have No Idea What It Sells For Outside .The Brand Name Once Are Very Expensive .I Find This To Be Of Good Reasonable Quality .

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 01:34:34 am
content: Thanks for the input guys. I'm not up to spending several hundred on this, but it looks like a reasonably priced one might be worth a try. The larger leads are usually no problem for me, it's the ICs with pins too close to get the pump on that I find a pain. As for the braid stuff I tried it once years ago and never could get on with it.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 02:09:26 am
content: Quote from: Spunky on July 22, 2013, 01:34:34 amPerhaps the wick didn't have flux (or enough of it) in it.Doubt the desoldering unit will help much with small IC pins (DIP is just fine), and wick or hot air is needed to get them off.

author: OZ1LQB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 12:53:21 pm
content: Hej Spunky.I have the one in your Picture(ZD915) and i am so happy with it i gave my weller 801 away..That said if you buy it you should buy a handful tips as they dont last long with the new leadles solderi Know that what i write is going to make somone a bit angry..Claus

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 03:15:59 pm
content: I have a PACE one that was obsolete where I work. These guys hardly touch a soldering iron anymore, it's much cheaper to replace the board or the whole thing. Not using it very often but now and then it is very handy. Don't forget to give it enough TLC like cleaning and replacing the filter and the tip before it eats to the element.

author: lewis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 04:28:09 pm
content: Once you've used a desoldering station, you will NEVER ever be without one again. Highly recommended.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 08:11:02 pm
content: A desoldering station to suck solder from a joint can be useful but you need to unclog the nozzle and clean the filter at regular intervals. Desoldering braid (soderwick from Chemtronics) is easier in many cases.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2013, 08:37:53 pm
content: I like them for doing bug stuff, like taking out connectors on boards that take forever with braid.Clean, clean and clean again. Also, keep it sucking for two seconds after you remove it from the joint so it keeps pulling the dross up to the filter, rather than leaving it sitting in the nozzle.

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 12:10:33 am
content: Yes I'm only thinking of this for through hole components, smd needs hot air of course. As far as boards being cheaper than a repair, I found that when I worked in IT, after about 2000 everything became throw away. Most of the boards I work on now though cost the end user £200 to £500 so recons and repairs will be going on for some time.The braid I used was probably crap I agree, I'll have to get some decent stuff and give it another go. It's probably improved in the last couple of decades. At the time I think it was just whatever the local electronics shop had on the shelf (pound shop crap).And yes we all hate the lead free solder, sadly we have a lot of eco-policies at work so stuck with it. There's just something unpredictable about the way it melts, can't quite describe it. They'll ban the lead solder one day.

author: synapsis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 03:58:19 am
content: I've been using this unit since December, no problems with it yet. You do have to clean it out every so often. I heat the catch with my hot air gun and everything just falls out.http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-474A-Digital-Desoldering-Station/dp/B00ABJ4AEC/When you open the box, it smells just like Shenzhen!

author: aurelleostean
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 07:30:37 pm
content: Hey there, I also just found out from Dave`s review on the desoldering station that a tool like this is affordable to anyone. I personally bought thehttp://www.tme.eu/ro/details/sp-1010dr/statii-de-dezlipit/solder-peak/#and it works just fine. Its plastic but does the job, the only problems you get from it is when you try to desoldering pads with big copper vias, tight terminal mounts in to pads, or bended terminals on boards. Overall the desoldering station is my new toy in the workshop. I started desoldering parts from old boards and organizing them as I wanted, just great. Regards, Leo.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 12:37:42 am
content: I have a Hakko 808 gun. Works freakin' great. I use about 3 different size tips. I have a 1 mm long I use the most.