Hi Friends;
My repair hobby seems to be keeping me busy these days. It seems like it is time to 'bite the bullet' and invest in a good solder removal tool. I understand there are some expensive gadgets out there, in neighbourhood of $400 (Canadian) and more. Just wondering if there are cheaper effective solutions and/or if I am going to spend that kind of money, which way should I go?
Thanks for any guidance. My application will be likely almost daily use.
Peter in Canada
My repair hobby seems to be keeping me busy these days. It seems like it is time to 'bite the bullet' and invest in a good solder removal tool. I understand there are some expensive gadgets out there, in neighbourhood of $400 (Canadian) and more. Just wondering if there are cheaper effective solutions and/or if I am going to spend that kind of money, which way should I go?
Thanks for any guidance. My application will be likely almost daily use.
Peter in Canada
Denon SC7000 is terrific but I managed to kill it while removing the tip (after many years of use). Although prices are intimidating I found mine for way less then.
For daily use you need a reliable tool which the Denon is. I used it a lot and probably should have replaced the tip earlier.
For daily use you need a reliable tool which the Denon is. I used it a lot and probably should have replaced the tip earlier.
I have been using the cheapo S-993A for over a year now and it has made desoldering fun rather than a pain in the rear * , I’m just a DIYer and not do this for a living but I really love the tool and they even sale spare parts for it.
There are many reviews and videos about it, take a look!!
There are many reviews and videos about it, take a look!!
A good desolder tool is one of those things that once you have it, you will bang your head repeatedly on your bench asking yourself, “Why didn't I buy this years ago?!?!”
😀
😀
Same with a good hot air tool for SMD rework. I picked up a METCAL HCT-900 recently. Expensive, but I am kicking myself for spending a good chunk of money on heat guns - including a Weller one - before just getting the right tool.
A good tool is half the job. I also generally find that with tools I don't need to use all that often, I tend to blow a bunch of money on cheap tools only to buy the tool I actually wanted when my need increases. So get the quality tool upfront. It's actually the cheaper solution.
I would look at the Weller desoldering products. It looks like the iron itself is ~$400 USD. Followed by some amount of money for the power/sucking unit itself.
The Apex P/N: T0051320599N (Digikey T0051320599N-ND) looks attractive. Apex Tool Group seems to have bought Weller. I don't know if this is a new thing or if I just hadn't noticed.
Don't underestimate the power of a good solder sucker. The Jonard DP200 is my favourite (Digikey: K414-ND). The one I used for the past (nearly) 20 years finally wore out last year and I immediately bought a new one. I get by with that and solder wick.
Tom
A good tool is half the job. I also generally find that with tools I don't need to use all that often, I tend to blow a bunch of money on cheap tools only to buy the tool I actually wanted when my need increases. So get the quality tool upfront. It's actually the cheaper solution.
I would look at the Weller desoldering products. It looks like the iron itself is ~$400 USD. Followed by some amount of money for the power/sucking unit itself.
The Apex P/N: T0051320599N (Digikey T0051320599N-ND) looks attractive. Apex Tool Group seems to have bought Weller. I don't know if this is a new thing or if I just hadn't noticed.
Don't underestimate the power of a good solder sucker. The Jonard DP200 is my favourite (Digikey: K414-ND). The one I used for the past (nearly) 20 years finally wore out last year and I immediately bought a new one. I get by with that and solder wick.
Tom
Ever since equipment for through hole electronics was given away (when telecom
industry changed to SMD only) I celebrate after each use of the soldering tools.
Soldering was Weller and I got plenty of those. Desoldering was Pace MBT 101 and
with the standard SP-2A vacuum pen and a Thermo Tweez TT-65 for SMD removal you
can use your energy for the main job. On Pace MBT you can reverse the air flow
and do hot air soldering of SMD components. A pedal switch can be used to start
the pump if you have a shortage of free hands/arms. Spare tips for both brands
are still available. The Pace station is also a nice miniature blow-torch with
temperature and flow control if you want to tweak the reeds in your wood-wind
muscical instrument.
industry changed to SMD only) I celebrate after each use of the soldering tools.
Soldering was Weller and I got plenty of those. Desoldering was Pace MBT 101 and
with the standard SP-2A vacuum pen and a Thermo Tweez TT-65 for SMD removal you
can use your energy for the main job. On Pace MBT you can reverse the air flow
and do hot air soldering of SMD components. A pedal switch can be used to start
the pump if you have a shortage of free hands/arms. Spare tips for both brands
are still available. The Pace station is also a nice miniature blow-torch with
temperature and flow control if you want to tweak the reeds in your wood-wind
muscical instrument.
Thanks Folks!
I have Googled all your suggestions. No one has mentioned Hakko? Are they overrated?
I have Googled all your suggestions. No one has mentioned Hakko? Are they overrated?
Hakko is what I was going to buy because it’s a great tool but then I thought, do I really need to spend $300 in a desoldering gun?
Nah, I understand and justify the expense for the Pros but not for a hobbyist like me...
If you want an effective manual solder removal pump, get an Edsyn Soldapullt (whichever model suits your needs). I have the plain old DS-017. Inexpensive, really works well and will last a lifetime.
Even if you end up getting an automatic, heated desoldering tool with pump, I'm sure you'll find one of these handy for some jobs.
Even if you end up getting an automatic, heated desoldering tool with pump, I'm sure you'll find one of these handy for some jobs.
I saw the Hakko vacuum desoldering gun in action last year and it was
quite impressive. Eventually I made an excuse to get one. 🙂 Not cheap,
but definitely not overrated.
Have a look for the ZD-985 and its successors. Well under $200. It is rebadged by many importers but the same thing under the hood. And when you need a new pump diaphragm come to me ;-)
Thanks Everyone for all the advice so far
Hi Ejp; I have considered buying a Chinese 'off--brand' . I see units available in Canada (digikey) that look nice. Why do you have a stock of Zhongdi pump diaphrams? I would have thought tips and filters would be the parts to have as spares?
Thanks, Peter in Canada
PS, Is Zhongdi a reputable name? I see a number of unfamiliar names producing desoldering equipment. Would Zhongdi be the only one to chance, you mentioned a number of badges.
Hi Ejp; I have considered buying a Chinese 'off--brand' . I see units available in Canada (digikey) that look nice. Why do you have a stock of Zhongdi pump diaphrams? I would have thought tips and filters would be the parts to have as spares?
Thanks, Peter in Canada
PS, Is Zhongdi a reputable name? I see a number of unfamiliar names producing desoldering equipment. Would Zhongdi be the only one to chance, you mentioned a number of badges.
Hello,
While not the cheapest, Hakko is cheaper than some and I have had very good luck with their products. Quality tools do make a big difference.
FWIW,
Greg
While not the cheapest, Hakko is cheaper than some and I have had very good luck with their products. Quality tools do make a big difference.
FWIW,
Greg
You should certainly have spare filters and nozzles and cleaners, and even a spare gun. I have the diaphragms because they do fail, and can be broken, and because they are unobtainium. Took me a year to track them down so I bought a stock, mostly to make the postage make sense. $2 a pair from me.
ZD is pretty reputable, they make a lot of them, and mine is now four years old and still going strong, but it is cheap stuff of course. There's another discussion of them here somewhere.
EJP
ZD is pretty reputable, they make a lot of them, and mine is now four years old and still going strong, but it is cheap stuff of course. There's another discussion of them here somewhere.
EJP
The ZD-915 is unbeatable for the price. You'll get used to unclogging it, but it still beats a desolder pump by miles. With practice you learn to tell when it's getting clogged by the sound, and preemptively clean it. A long, thin drill bit comes in handy
I clean it with the supplied cleaning rod every time I turn it off. It still occasionally clogs up, but you just turn it up to max and prod away gently with the rod for a while. It comes good eventually. Never used a drill bit on it, and I don't advise it.
EJP
EJP
Expensive, but I am glad I sprang for the Hakko FM-205 "Shop Air" desoldering station. Works on the venturi effect! Absolutely amazing suction. You need an air compressor with a regulator and a moisture filter.
Best of all, no internal vacuum pump making that "mooo" sound like a sick cow! Sounds more like an air rifle.
FM-205 "Shop Air" Desoldering & Soldering Station
Best of all, no internal vacuum pump making that "mooo" sound like a sick cow! Sounds more like an air rifle.
FM-205 "Shop Air" Desoldering & Soldering Station