ALL SOLD - Duratool desoldering stations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 01:59:03 pm
content: More shite piled up that I need to sort through.I have 10 or 12 of these that look unused in original boxes that I'm going to have to open up and test or throw in the skip.http://uk.farnell.com/proskit-industries/ss-331bc-f/desoldering-station-60w-240v-eu/dp/2320603I think Dave did a video about them and said they were quite good some time ago, they look a bit like this:Are they worth £45 each shipped UK, £55 sensible Euro countries?ALL SOLD, thank you for making them go away!

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 02:28:23 pm
content: I'll take them off your hands.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 07:12:27 pm
content: I'll have one fer £45 (UK)

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 07:20:02 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on June 21, 2015, 07:12:27 pmYou could have if you were a little bit quicker... all sold I'm afraid.I'm sure there will be more (unfortunately).

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 07:31:39 pm
content: LOL! Blimey that was quick. I'll have to keep 'em peeled...

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 01:27:27 pm
content: Mine arrived a hour ago. Looks good, have not has a chance to play with it yet.Many Thanks.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 01:38:49 pm
content: Got mine yesterday. Hidden away in the instructions is a comment to remove four screws that fasten the Diaphragm pump. If not removed serious damage will be caused. They did not actually give a diagram pointing at the location of the screws but I believe they are the ones underneath.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 01:52:08 pm
content: Yeah the big red ones.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 02:00:57 pm
content: ?

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 02:52:02 pm
content: 4 big red screws underneath.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 03:02:08 pm
content: Nope, I have no red screws...

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 04:04:10 pm
content: ah that was on the hot air stations.There are no screws that need to be removed on the Duratool desoldering stations. The pump is supported on rubber mounts, and there no screws to hold it in place during shipping.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 04:20:57 pm
content: Yeah, I opened mine up and had a look. Seems its just a random line in the instructions...But it sucks up solder so am happy enough.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 04:46:17 pm
content: You got to instructions with yours :-)

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 05:25:20 pm
content: I was going to get one of these until I saw Towger say he wanted them all so I thought they had gone.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 05:30:02 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on June 21, 2015, 07:20:02 pmHere's hoping.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 05:32:41 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on June 24, 2015, 05:25:20 pmUnfortunately he thought he was going to get ALL of them for £45 shipped... erm no!

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 06:22:11 pm
content: Well you were talking about skipping them! So I though you wanted to save on your waste disposal costs!

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 06:24:29 pm
content: I take it they all worked. Do people just buy them for one job and then make up an excuse for a refund.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 07:01:02 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on June 24, 2015, 06:24:29 pmDid the one you bought look at all used?Half had faulty suction pumps (broke loose in transit) and the other half had faulty elements (infant mortality). I just pair up the unused working bits and then pair them up with a new owner.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 07:05:44 pm
content: It had small traces of solder in the chamber. And the barrel was discoloured from use. But that might have been from your testing. It was also missing one of the nozzles and the cleaning wires.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 07:09:29 pm
content: I bought one of these to try out - anyone wants it for £40 shipped (UK) let me know.Edit - spoken for, on it's way to Liverpool.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 07:16:33 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on June 24, 2015, 07:05:44 pmCleaning wires were in the bag along with the manual which you say you didn't get.Doesn't sound like you're too happy so I'll refund your money.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 07:23:08 pm
content: No don't. I am not complaining. The manual is just a couple of pages which I have already printed off and a paper clip replaces the wires! They are customers returns. I don't expect perfection.It was the talk of big red screws which had me looking for the manual...

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 09:45:17 pm
content: I'll send you that hot air station as an extra then, the one with the red screws

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 10:39:16 pm
content: Can anyone who bought one of these comment on how well it works? I thought it was indeed pretty shit but then the other suction tool I have access too could probably suck the skeleton from from your body. On receipt I had to drill out a solid plug from the tube (no amount of poking with the cleaning wire would shift it) but the suction is piss poor. It heats up fine and the pump runs producing some suction (you can feel it at the hand-piece with the capture tube removed) but having just looked at the sheepshaggers review of the Rhino unit it certainly isn't as good as his. It's as if the weird hand-piece filter and backing plate arrangement block most of the suction (this bit of the design in this tool is different to the Rhino one). Having re-sold it I'm now a bit worried that it is in fact buggered rather than just being crap.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 10:52:57 pm
content: Well mine was blocked as well when i got it and wasnt doing much at all. Took a bit of faffing around to realise there was a nugget of solder seriously jammed in the element tube leading to the glass chamber. Possibly the reason it got returned?I also had to make sure when I put it back together that the rubber ring that goes around the element tube leading into the glass chamber was back in place. Without that there wasnt much doing.Once all back together though I used it to remove some large connectors and it did the job. The connectors were quite tight in but it sucked the solder up and with a screw driver they really did come straight out without any real force so I was happy enough but I probably lost an hour faffing around and as said, you need to make sure its all back together properly else the suction is nowhere.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:02:26 pm
content: Is there more than one part between the glasstube and the heating element?

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:05:56 pm
content: Refunds all round, lesson learnt these are indeed total shite.Sorry to all involved.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:11:54 pm
content: This was the part that made the difference.Also in the second image where the paper filter is pressed against the spring. I found a metal plate in there between the hole and the paper filter. I cant believe that was meant to be there in general use. It was blocking the hole completely so I removed that.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:21:50 pm
content: Chucking the rest in the skip, everybody will be refunded in full.Never going to touch Duratool shite with a bargepole in future.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:33:27 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on June 24, 2015, 11:05:56 pmIan,I think I might just have reassembled it wrong, or I'm just missing a seal or some-such. Looking at the Rhino review it looks like a decent enough tool for £45, if these perform like the Rhino, which posts from a couple of people suggest it does. My tool may be shite, or the operator (me) may be being an arse - I'll find out tomorrow, but I haven't read any comments which would warrant a bulk refund.I've always looked at these cheap china crap customer returns that you offer as caveat emtpor, since you're not making any money off them and you're always very honest as to the quality.So - don't supply a refund to me, and I hope all those with working tools also reject it.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:37:55 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on June 24, 2015, 11:11:54 pmThanks Trevor,I'll have a closer look in the morning. The metal plate was between the spring and filter in mine but it does seem to be a daft design. Might try a large washer instead.

author: ozwolf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2015, 11:57:36 pm
content: Gentlemen, I have the Rhino version of this tool and found it to be very useful.The metal plate should have two or three bites out of it around the circumference to allow the vacuum to pass. I always re-assemble mine in the order of metal plate, filter, then spring. Ensure the o'ring seals properly, and push the assembly together until the clip engages in the handpiece.I'd hate to see the remainder of the machines go into the skip, if the shipping wasn't so expensive (to Australia), I'd take them.To clear blockage in the tip, wind the temperature up very high, and then poke out the solder plug. To me this is normal maintenance for this type of machine. I used to struggle with blockages until I used a higher temperature.Ozwolf

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 12:00:00 am
content: If there are units being tossed could they be sold as parts? There are gun spares available on ebay...

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 12:11:21 am
content: Well the odd spare might be useful if there are some going. Keep my money and do me a good deal on the next bit of kit I buy from you.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 12:37:47 am
content: Quote from: krivx on June 25, 2015, 12:00:00 amNO... not going there.Sorry it's just not worth the time, effort and shipping cost.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 12:39:20 am
content: Quote from: trevwhite on June 25, 2015, 12:11:21 amThank you, but have you ever had a bad deal?!

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 12:39:59 am
content: Quote from: TopLoser on June 25, 2015, 12:37:47 amI understand, thanks for doing this in the first place.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 02:35:14 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on June 24, 2015, 11:11:54 pmIn your piture Is that seal around the tube through the heating element in addition to the seal in the glass tube which supports the spring? The picture below shows the parts I have, but the black seal shown, acting alone, certainly does not produce a seal to the input tube.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 02:42:35 pm
content: Looks like you are missing that rubbery washer/seal

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 02:48:01 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on June 25, 2015, 02:42:35 pmOK - thanks, that explains the performance. I'll cobble something up to seal it. If only the Chinese would produce leaflets describing the thing you're buying...

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 03:04:35 pm
content: Yep. There should be a rubber washer with a small hole for the heating elememt tube.Can someone tell me the resistance of your heating element. I think it is pins 1 and 2 at the plug, which should go to black and blue wires.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 03:31:14 pm
content: Quote from: amiq on June 25, 2015, 02:48:01 pmOpen up the 'mic plug' and have a look at the earthing 'arrangement'.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 06:27:18 pm
content: I'll try and find another of these things to rape for parts for people. Unfortunately I only threw stations in the skip, there were no spare irons amongst the rubble.DuraStool shite!

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 07:59:42 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on June 25, 2015, 03:04:35 pm0.5 OhmQuoteIndeed.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2015, 07:35:58 pm
content: Did everyone throw theirs away or did anyone think ...hm wonder if I can use the base as a soldering iron control base ?.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2015, 08:49:06 pm
content: I've got a spare Duratool soldering iron if you want to have a play?

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2015, 08:59:35 pm
content: Go for it Ian. Most welcome

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 12:42:25 am
content: Whilst looking for a expanded parts list for this tool I did a google search for the Rhino cousin/ sister.. I googled " ZD985 Desoldering Station ", sigh I wish I had not, page after page of links to Daves review...Anyway, I worked out from my normal job that the metal washer with the 4 cut outs goes next to the spring for the spring to sit on then the fibre washer behind , it makes no sense for a spring to sit on a fibre washer and the metal washer then behind that as suction pulls it on to the suction seal and suction is then lost..Suction was returned after I unblocked the heating unit with a large thin hard jewelers screwdriver. it has now been working desoldering a couple of IC's . I guess previous owners who returned them did not bother to clean them out after every use with the provided cleaning rods before powering down.Whoever said to use a washer, that is in fact a good idea, a washer for the spring to sit on with a large diameter hole for the suction to get through the fibre filter is a good idea/

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 07:45:18 pm
content: I am probably teaching Granny how to suck eggs here but here we go.First the item Ian sold is quite capable. I have noticed the following and this is down to design I think.The front seal moves slightly from side to side , so when you put the solder collector tube back in there is a chance that it will not seat over the output of the heater unit properly, this can be felt most when it feels like the tube is harder to re insert, you may have to wiggle it to make sure it goes into the collector and seals, if not you will lose some or all suction. I have found that the only real way to remove all the solder nuggets stuck inside the output of the heater is in fact to obtain a piece of round bar steel of a slightly smaller diameter than the tube itself, bend one end over to obtain a handle and then carefully grind the other end into a sharpish chisel tip, put that end into the heater nozzle and rotate gently until any solder nuggets are gone and then push it completely through. The rear washer etc is as I said above.The unit I have now got has been working well all day.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 08:26:50 pm
content: I got the suction to work after reassembling it a couple of times. The main problem is it does not heat. I tried the bench supply and the plastic handle got hotter than the element... It went back into the box and filed under to be fixed after that.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 08:39:33 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on September 16, 2015, 08:26:50 pmNot sure about that one, could the heater element be shorted and then the internal hand grip switch be heating up as the nearest and least resistant path ?. They arent that hard to undo, just be careful of that rear sprung unlocking switch for the collector tube , it bounces across the room if not careful

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 09:42:00 pm
content: I think it is an internal short in the element as well. Must have another look at it.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 09:46:55 pm
content: Quote from: Towger on September 16, 2015, 09:42:00 pmGo on, you know you want too. midnight fixes are best, no one to interrupt you, plenty of time to concentrate. Just to give you a bit more impetus, mine has been desoldering some large heat sinks and ic's all day..... I can hear the sucking noise it makes as it releases from the board and the solder goes up the tube, such bliss. I also have a pace unit I bought from Kev and that does a good job too. My only problem now is where to put them both.... god help me when and if Ian sends me the Pro'skit soldering iron to see if it fits the desoldering unit... I am out of desk space

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 10:14:01 pm
content: You can chuck it my way if you want Mr Bronson! I have just enough room for such a tool. I know Ian went through dealing with whiners on that one so he refuses to do Duratool anymore. Mind you that nice new Tenma rework station I got from him works great now its fitted with a proper chisel tip. Desoldering nicely when whacked up to 400. It's just the bloody springback of hand solder suckers that makes desoldering a misery. Also, multi layer - near useless. Can the Duratool/Rhino desolder caps from a multilayer board like a PC motherboard easily?It's all a bloody nightmare since lead free. I think we should start a worldwide petition for "bring back Pb! 60/40's good for me!". The world was so much nicer back then, no ISIS or 9/11 or global wombling...

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 10:28:41 pm
content: I never understood that one, If I buy direct from a manufacturer or major outlet then find the item doesn't work then I just return it for replacement.Ian sells things that he states are Customer returns in various stages of unworking or working capability, his prices reflect those facts, if he says to me look its £130 new but it has or may have a problem so to you its £50 then I expect to have to do some repairs, its no guarantee you will ever get it working or that it wont cost you maybe another £20 to get it working, if it does it is a bonus, it's no worse than buying at auction apart from a fixed price. I certainly am not about to whine that the item I got he had returned by another customer is not like new , he and I have no idea what the person did to it before he had it returned. I am happy to fix something.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2015, 10:33:10 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on September 16, 2015, 10:14:01 pmYou're very easily led.. (insert groan here)

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2015, 05:20:39 am
content: I am happy to fix too and did not expect perfection.I sent the 50 back to Ian after he returned it, and he returned it again.