[Boatanchors] Desoldering tools

[Robert Downs]

An alternative to the Hakko is Pace.  I have always preferred soldering
irons (including pencils) to soldering guns.  Much lighter and more
maneuverable.  I bought a Pace PPS-5 years ago and still use it regularly.
With it, I use a Pace desoldering handpiece but a Weller pencil iron, either
with 25W or 40W heating element.  There are a couple on eBay tonight.
Apparently less the handpiece and iron.  And not sure about the foot switch
for the pump motor.

The Pace pump will either suck or blow.  So I use it for melting and blowing
the bees wax out of BC-611-F IF transformers when I tune them.  And then to
melt/flow bees wax back into them afterwards.  

I did learn the hard way not to try to use the same handpiece for sucking
and blowing.  You haven't lived until you have blown molten solder onto your
left hand! 

Robert Downs

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ken Kaplan
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 21:06
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Desoldering tools

Jack,

I use all three of their desoldering tools daily in my job. The 808, 300 and
301. I repair medium & large UPS systems (APC, Liebert, etc.) and Tesla car
electronics. They are da bomb. For larger parts, I use them for resoldering
too. The 808 is fine but no longer available new. We have two 300's at work
and the heaters failed after two or three years of daily use. Replacement
parts are available. So much better than a solder sucker! The 300 is a
little better than the 808 and the 301 is a little better than the 300. I've
only had the 301 for a month. It makes lots of heat. All three models use
their own tips and tips are not cheap. I use a 1.6mm and a 2.3mm tip. My
work is all PCB stuff but boatanchors are easier/safer with the Hakko. Get
one - you'll love it!

Oh - for the fine or small stuff I use a hot air system. I also use a Weller
WTCP-L. Some of the stuff I work on need a heat boost so I use a hot air gun
to preheat the board.

37 Ken kb7rgg

On 8/15/2018 9:27 AM, Jack Antonio wrote:
> I'm looking at getting a desoldering station.
>
> I've heard very good reports on the Hakko 808, but which, of course, 
> is no longer produced.
>
> It looks like Hakko's replacement is an FR-300, is it as good as the 
> 808?
>
> Any other suggestions? The major need right now is for some solid 
> state work, but I have heard that the 808 did a great job on tube 
> radios as well.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jack Antonio
> WA7DIA
>

Robert Downs


-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ken Kaplan
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 21:06
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Desoldering tools

Jack,

I use all three of their desoldering tools daily in my job. The 808, 300 
and 301. I repair medium & large UPS systems (APC, Liebert, etc.) and 
Tesla car electronics. They are da bomb. For larger parts, I use them 
for resoldering too. The 808 is fine but no longer available new. We 
have two 300's at work and the heaters failed after two or three years 
of daily use. Replacement parts are available. So much better than a 
solder sucker! The 300 is a little better than the 808 and the 301 is a 
little better than the 300. I've only had the 301 for a month. It makes 
lots of heat. All three models use their own tips and tips are not 
cheap. I use a 1.6mm and a 2.3mm tip. My work is all PCB stuff but 
boatanchors are easier/safer with the Hakko. Get one - you'll love it!

Oh - for the fine or small stuff I use a hot air system. I also use a 
Weller WTCP-L. Some of the stuff I work on need a heat boost so I use a 
hot air gun to preheat the board.

37 Ken kb7rgg

On 8/15/2018 9:27 AM, Jack Antonio wrote:
> I'm looking at getting a desoldering station.
>
> I've heard very good reports on the Hakko 808,
> but which, of course, is no longer produced.
>
> It looks like Hakko's replacement is an FR-300, is it
> as good as the 808?
>
> Any other suggestions? The major need right now
> is for some solid state work, but I have heard that
> the 808 did a great job on tube radios as well.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jack Antonio
> WA7DIA
>