I'm getting more and more tired of using braid and a sucker. I think my (repair) work would really benefit from a dedicated desoldering station. I'm guessing the heat stress on components would also be a lot less. These things seems to be quite expensive though (much more expensive than a reasonable soldering iron). Any suggestions, cheap (but good) stuff or expensive? Preferably something that is easy to get in Europe. What should I look out for? Features, things to consider for trough hole vs smd etc. I also use both leaded and lead free stuff. I have two separate irons for that, does one need to different suckers?
Hakko FR300 is what I use every day. Requires pretty regular cleaning but otherwise a great unit.
I bought a used 1990s PACE unit with an iron and desoldering vacuum/iron. I forgot what it cost. Like bean said you have to clean it after you use it.
I hate the mess cleaning pumps make...sigh...
Not to hijack, but why separate irons for different solders?
So the lead doesn't contaminate the lead free joint. Reduces the risk of cold joints, cracking etc. You could just switch tips between jobs (after the iron cools down) but that's a hassle in itself and a replacement iron for my station is pretty cheap.
Quote from: Rockhorst on October 25, 2018, 06:54:23 PM
So the lead doesn't contaminate the lead free joint. Reduces the risk of cold joints, cracking etc. You could just switch tips between jobs (after the iron cools down) but that's a hassle in itself and a replacement iron for my station is pretty cheap.
Yeah, I use separate tips as well. I have two soldering stations, but both can hot swap tips easily, so I don't have to dedicate a station by solder type.
Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though. I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.
I have a desoldering gun. Iron and pump in one gun shaped device. Cheap and works fantastic. I think I got mine for about $90 from ebay. Just make sure you get one that works on the correct voltage.
I'm pretty sure it's this exact model, except not Polish:
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/AOYUE-8800-Handheld-Electric-Vacuum-Desoldering-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Gun-Desoldering-Gun-Soldering-Station-for-AOYUE/32352102280.html (https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/AOYUE-8800-Handheld-Electric-Vacuum-Desoldering-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Gun-Desoldering-Gun-Soldering-Station-for-AOYUE/32352102280.html)
Quote from: pickdropper on October 25, 2018, 07:26:24 PM
Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though. I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.
I've started using Felder Iso-Core Si100Ni+ a while ago. You should give it a try. It's very easy to work with and the joint looks just like a leaded one. Nice flow and reliable joint. It does wear the tip faster than leaded but that's mostly due to me not cleaning the tip enough during a job.
What do you use to desolder SMD stuff? Especially on ICs I always lift half of the pads :-[
Quote from: Rockhorst on October 26, 2018, 02:34:12 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on October 25, 2018, 07:26:24 PM
Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though. I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.
I've started using Felder Iso-Core Si100Ni+ a while ago. You should give it a try. It's very easy to work with and the joint looks just like a leaded one. Nice flow and reliable joint. It does wear the tip faster than leaded but that's mostly due to me not cleaning the tip enough during a job.
What do you use to desolder SMD stuff? Especially on ICs I always lift half of the pads :-[
I'll look into the Fender solder. I've got some newer Kester lead-free that flows smoothly and makes a nice joint. Still eats tips, though. The most recent tip lasted me a month. I've been soldering like a mad fool lately, so that may have something to do with it.
For SMT rework, I usually use the Metcal tweezers. I have a pointed tips for removing two pad passives and I have blade sets for removing bigger things with more pads. I use these for through-hole ICs as well. It wouldn't work for BGAs or anything that has pads on four sides, but I can't remember the last time I've needed to do that. For anything like that, an infared rework station is generally best, but I don't own one.
Quote from: madbean on October 25, 2018, 04:57:39 PM
Hakko FR300 is what I use every day. Requires pretty regular cleaning but otherwise a great unit.
Me, too. Not cheap, but it's the tits for through-hole rework.
Be aware that desoldering stations are not shoe-string affairs, though. Even the FR300 is going to be spendy, to get a new one.
Circuit Specialist has a less expensive handheld desoldering gun.
https://www.circuitspecialists.com/blackjack-solderwerks-bk3090-suction-gun-soldering-iron-combo.html (https://www.circuitspecialists.com/blackjack-solderwerks-bk3090-suction-gun-soldering-iron-combo.html)
For those not wanting to throw down the money on a gun I highly recommend this solder sucker:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MJMXD4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MJMXD4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf)
It has a flexible tip and comes with tubing to make more. It works so much better than the plastic blue ones.