ENGINEER SS-02 SOLDER SUCKER review + awful service customer  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 05:59:18 am
content: Time ago i've bought for my self this very good soldering pump made in japan for € 20.00 (circa)This pump works really well,but the only 1 problem is :there are no spare parts like the rubber gasket of the plunger.When i bought this pump, i don't know about no spare parts ,so i never kept in mind that in the future i will be worried about the servicing.I really like this pump,but i completely in disagree with the custumer service of this brand "ENGINEER ®"I wrote an letter to the ENGINEER ® in Japan, to ask them where i can find & buy this O-ring.The result was thisJust enjoy ....No comments ... right ?By using their logic, i must to re-buy this pump every that my O-ring will be broken ....However i really like this pump so i will enjoy it like is by now ,i also really hope to find some solution for this nasty problem ,but in meantime enjoy this teardown.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:25:38 am
content: Pics are finally uploadedRemember also !!!If you are going to buy this pump ;BEFORE TO USE IT ,YOU MUST TO APPLY THE LUBTIFICATION GREASE INSIDE THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE PUMP.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:39:41 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 04, 2016, 06:34:51 amIm ready to find some other solution ,but where ?I need an o-ring which perfectly fits the original design,because the original o-ring is not just an rubber around the metal plunger piston.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:45:19 am
content: You need some way to measure at least somewhat accurately - say a digital caliper or some such thing. Measure the diameter of the o-ring while it's installed on the piston, then remove it and measure the diameter of the ring's cross-section. The replacement should match the first or be slightly smaller and needs to match the second as exactly as possible. It is highly likely they would have used a standard sized o-ring to keep costs down. You ought to be able to find one at any reputable industrial supply company.

author: sotos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:49:49 am
content: Buy a whole set they are cheap.Here is an example of what you are looking for.http://www.harborfreight.com/225-piece-metric-nitrile-o-ring-assortment-67609.htmlYou can also ask the manufacturer about the diameters.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 07:57:46 am
content: Storm in a tea cup?Just visit your local bearing supply place they'll probably give you a suitable O-ring for free. Between the metric & imperial sizes you'd be sure to find something suitable.What the supplier is saying is that for the cost and bother of shipping a $0.10 seal you may as well order a new tool.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 08:21:35 am
content: An O-ring is the obvious solution but the pics indicate the cross section required in 2 dimensions is not round.And even if you could find one to shoehorn in there the friction would increase as a result of the larger bearing surface.Then your much liked sucker might not perform as well as it did.I would try to find an auto brake seal from a master or slave cylinder for a better match of dimensions. Just be aware lube would then need to be changed to one compatible with Nitrile rubbers.Then there's hydraulic or pneumatic ram piston seals that might also be suitable........

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 08:48:11 am
content: QuoteDo not justify them not stocking it outside the Japan, but,I guess, they are suggesting it makes no economical sense to ship it from there.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 09:13:23 am
content: Good catch tautech. Missed that viewing the pics on my phone screen. If the seal ever gets damaged and proves difficult to find I'd just switch it to an o-ring with something added below it in the groove to take up the extra space (machined urethane band or split metal spacer, etc). Alternatively a new piston made to use an o-ring could be easily made as well. Then again, the seal might just last a decade or two, not being under much stress. Keep it clean and lubricated and you might neverneedto replace it.I have a very similar sucker made by Ersa that uses an o-ring as the piston seal and have used it quit a bit over the last 5 or so years, keeping it regularly cleaned and lubricated with silicone grease - it shows no signs of wearing out so far.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 09:25:24 am
content: Quote from: eKretz on November 04, 2016, 09:13:23 amLooks like a nice sucker though and one could be tempted to turn up a custom piston, one that takes a easily obtainable O-ring with a thin cross section in order to maintain performance similar to standard.I think I've only cleaned my cheapy Jaycar one a few times in the ~15 years since purchased, it has a nylon piston and a ~2mm O-ring and it still performs OK with very little love and care after all that time.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 09:27:52 am
content: It's definitely a good looking solder sucker, certainly better than my 20 odd year old one anyway and some nice pictures provided by the OP as well, I haven't used mine in years after getting a desoldering station which seems to work pretty well for my mundane tasks.It looks similar to a quad ring seal pictured and linked below, I would probably wait until the original seal failed completely and if all else failed then try two o-rings side by side, as tautech mentioned above after that I would be looking at making a replacement piston on the lathe that would accommodate standard and readily available o-ring seals.http://catalog.daemar.com/viewitems/quad-rings/quad-rings-seals-2?

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:36:20 pm
content: If anyone is interested about more details of the O-ring and the plunger ,there are more pics :

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 06:58:08 pm
content: This one:Looks just like a wheel slave cylinder seal to me.Edit@ Ig_sherwoodDo you have a micrometer?As it's made in Japan the measurements will be metric, give us the bore dia, piston groove dia and the piston groove width and I'll see if I can find a source of the seal for you.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 07:28:40 pm
content: it's important to use the right type of material or it wont last.Flourocarbon rubber looks like the one you need.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 07:43:52 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 04, 2016, 06:58:08 pmHi there .Sorry but i have not the digital caliper nor the micrometer

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 07:57:22 pm
content: If it is a brake slave cylinder seal ( most likely) then the best lube will be a silicone based high temperature brake fluid, which will be a small 250ml bottle and which will last a lifetime as you use a drop a month on it.It could also be a standard motor shaft seal as well, which is fine with silicone oil or mineral oil as well, and which also will last years there.My one I replaced with 2 Orings, and it has lasted for decades, and still works with lubrication using motor oil. Orings were cheap nitrile ones, out of the box assortment. I did have to fix it after a few years of use, as the plunger trigger broke, but I made a new one using a piece of aluminium rod.To prolong the life of the tip i also added a rubber sleeve ( salvaged from old equipment that used those Hellerman expanding sleeves on the terminals) as a seal, it makes a good flexible seal, but you can also use silicone fish tank air line for this, so long as it will survive soldering iron tip contact somewhat.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 07:59:19 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on November 04, 2016, 08:48:11 amI'm not sure if i making some misunderstood with you or you with me.Im sayin that :their custumer service is very nasty and also looks like an fraud.Just can't believe they really want me to spend each time 20 or 30 euros ,instead to sell me the o-ring that maybe cost around 1 euro 1 pair.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 08:26:53 pm
content: That is a lip seal, aka PolyPak seal. Easily obtainable.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 08:43:41 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on November 04, 2016, 08:26:53 pmBINGO !!!It's really looks like thatthanks you buddy .

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 09:00:46 pm
content: No problem mate!I took a sabbatical from electronicsand worked as a heavy mechanic for a few years.Who knew that knowledge would come in handy one day on an electronics forum!

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2016, 09:06:31 pm
content: Don't waste time with a solder sucker.Buy a Hakko desoldering gun and be done with it. You'll thank me later...

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 12:43:51 am
content: Quote from: P90 on November 04, 2016, 09:06:31 pmSorry man ,but i hate any soldering system which is not Metcal

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 03:12:17 pm
content: Quote from: Ig_sherwood on December 01, 2016, 12:43:51 amIt's so cool to be irrational.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 06:08:40 pm
content: I've the same solder sucker, so this will be useful info for me as well.Thanks guys.

author: MaximRecoil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 09:27:18 pm
content: Quote from: Ig_sherwood on December 01, 2016, 12:43:51 amWe had Metcal everything at the PCB factory I worked at, including the Metcal desoldering guns connected to an STSS or MX-500 and shop air. But everyone was also issued anEdsyn Soldapullt DS017LS. Aside from some of the old ladies on first shift, no one bothered with the desoldering guns. A typical job for the Soldapullt was desoldering 400 through-hole terminal block joints due to someone soldering in the wrong ones or soldering them in the wrong positions. That took about 10 minutes.However, there are some situations I've encountered at home where a desoldering gun might have worked better than my Soldapullt, i.e., ancient PCBs with delicate pads; sometimes the suction from a Soldapullt is enough to suck the pad clean off the board. A desolder gun might be gentler in such cases. The PCBs at work were brand new and high quality, so the Soldapullt never harmed a pad there.

author: technogeeky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2016, 10:22:07 am
content: FYI, and for search references:This appears to be the same part as the "famous" Adafruit solder sucker (part number 1597, linkhere). They sell this as Professional Silicone Tip Solder Sucker.I don't have one (yet), but the idea of using the silicone tubing as the tip appeals to me.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2016, 04:00:05 pm
content: Quote from: technogeeky on December 05, 2016, 10:22:07 amIt certainly is, and is where I purchased mine (least expensive way to get one in the US AFAIK).

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 05:19:55 am
content: QuoteLOL. My first Edsyn Soldapult (clone) was amazing. IS amazing. Still have it. Only thing I like better so far is my Edsyn Soldapult 3. I have had the same experience with desoldering stations. Edsyn > station in most cases. Even large jobs. Cuz cleaning/maintenance/tip oxidization. A good soldering iron and a good sucker just keep chugging. Just DON'T add flux, if you don't need it. Flux is what gums up the sucker. (And in most cases, you don't need it! Flux DOESN'T increase heat transfer, beyond improving tip to joint contact area in some cases... even with the solder looking crusty and completely non-flowy, the Edsyn will suck it right out, once you get it to temp. It is easier to get good non-fluxed contact with the joint using an iron, over a desoldering gun, so... Edsyn keeps going.. and going.. and going. My Hakko tip operates bone dry the entire time. Still haven't worn one out.

author: Ig_sherwood
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2016, 09:44:12 am
content: Quote from: technogeeky on December 05, 2016, 10:22:07 amThis tool is very cool and will last for ever ,just need to replace sometimes the o-ring and add a little bit of lubrifican grease to make it works perfectly.

author: rspt1908
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2017, 06:29:26 pm
content: Hello Guys,May I ask what is the best grease or lubricant for this desoldering pump?Thank you

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2017, 08:52:39 pm
content: Silicone grease, such as that you'd use in fishing reels.

author: rspt1908
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2017, 02:53:32 am
content: Thank you nanofrogActually I also got a reply from them just earlier.Maybe they also read this thread and are now allowing shipping of the o-ring with charge from Japan.They also gave me the dimensions of the o-ring/lip seal which may be helpful for some in this thread. It's18mm.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2017, 07:12:29 am
content: would be nice if you copied the youtube link where, so we don't need to type that long thing..

author: rspt1908
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2017, 07:59:24 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on January 20, 2017, 07:12:29 amOh sorry about that. here you goMaintainance Video:

author: rspt1908
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2017, 07:17:56 pm
content: Good day guys,May I ask if will this locally available o-ring be a suitable substitute? It has a bigger surface contact on the cylinder compared to the polypak/lipseal used in the pump.Also is silicone grease still safe to use since this o-ring is made of nitrile rubber?http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/seals-o-rings/2952010/

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2017, 08:14:57 pm
content: Quote from: rspt1908 on January 25, 2017, 07:17:56 pmYes.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2017, 11:40:03 pm
content: Silicone grease is safe on all rubber. But the seal posted above will not work. That type of seal is designed to seal on the O.D. of a shaft, and the one from the solder sucker needs to seal on the I.D. of a tube.

author: rspt1908
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 12:56:35 am
content: Unfortunately it is sold separately. Like it was said in the email, Engineer Tools encourages distributors to carry the spare o rings in their inventory, however, some have yet to do that carrying only the spare silicone tips. For now, they offer shipping the o-ring from their factory in Japan with charge.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 16, 2018, 10:51:44 pm
content: The seal itself appears to be 16x18x3mm. Someone would make a fortune (ok a little money), selling a kit of a small pouch of grease, the seal, and a piece of silicone tube to replace the tip for $10. If I could source all the parts, I'd be willing to do it, but shipping from Canada is horrible (more expensive than even Australia)

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2019, 09:52:08 pm
content: Quote from: Free_WiFi on April 12, 2019, 02:32:27 amthe silicone tubes you find here atleast:https://www.precisehandtools.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=74&product_id=116might be an idea to ask them about the o-rings.

author: Free_WiFi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2019, 07:37:23 pm
content: Quote from: boffin on November 16, 2018, 10:51:44 pmTechnical specification of this o-ring/seal :Type : Piston U-SealDimensions :ID : 13 mm.OD : 19 mm.H : 3,5 mm.Link for Piston U-Sealwww.aliexpress.com/item/32891032842.htmlThe silicon Nozzle/TubeDimensions :ID : 2 mm.OD : 4 mm.Link for the silicon Nozzle/Tube :www.aliexpress.com/item/32858462618.html

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2019, 06:24:01 pm
content: I took mine apart at the weekend, cleaned all the existing goo, covered it with a good spray of jig-a-loo (silicone lubricant), and it works like a charm now.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:52:31 pm
content: I have this since October 2012. I have at least 4 suckers in my drawer which I rotate use as I wish. I clean them end of every month. The SS-02 worn out the release trigger. It won't lock. It's made out of aluminium and friction on the stainless plunger shaft chewed the release button. Fortunately I could reverse the trigger so I could get a second life. I don't use it that often anymore. It's a poor designed not for everyday use.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2024, 10:08:09 pm
content: Hello,does anyone find a site/seller that sells the Piston U-Seal?