[Elecraft] solder removers

Sun Jan 12 10:04:01 2003

Hi

I have been using solder suckers of one type or another for well over 20
years. I have tried them all. The spring loaded type can do quite a good
job, as can solder wick, but they do not compare to the solder removal
systems using a vacuum pump like the Hakko. Like everything else there good
and not so good spring type solder suckers. The best ones are about one inch
in diameter and about 12 inches long with a Teflon tip. What I don't like
about them is you need to heat the pad with one hand and use the sucker with
the other requiring the board to be flat on the bench. The solder must be
pulled up hill. Most of the time you will need to repeat this operation
several times to get all of the solder out. The repeated heating is not good
for the pads so the possibility of lifting the pads is higher.

The de-solder stations like Pace, Weller and Hakko use a vacuum pump
connected to a special iron with a hollow tip. You apply the tip to the
joint and push a button or pull a trigger and the pump starts, removing all
the solder and cooling the joint with a rush of air at the same time. The
pump has much more power than any spring type remover and will run as long
as you hold the trigger. You can hold the board in one hand and the remover
in the other so the board can be tilted so the solder is pulled down into
the nozzle. The nozzle is metal so you can gently rotate the nozzle on the
pad as you are sucking the solder out this moves the lead in the hole
cleaning the solder from all parts of the hole. I can remove and replace a
40 pin IC in about 5 minutes with the Hakko with no damage to the IC or the
board. I would never attempt this with a spring type tool. If I had to use
the spring remover I would cut out the IC remove each lead and use the
solder sucker to clean the holes. This still requires heating the pads
twice.

The de-solder stations have usually cost from $300 to $1000 in the past the
Hakko 808 is the first time the price is cheap enough for the hobbyists to
afford. It is still not cheap but if you can justify it it is well worth the
money. I don't have a Hakko 808 I have a Hakko 706. The difference is the
808 has the pump in the gun and is a one piece unit. the 706 is a two piece
unit with a separate pump.

Don Brown
KD5NDB

----- Original Message -----
From: "David A. Belsley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 4:20 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] solder removers

> I have seen much made lately of the Hakko 808 desoldering tool.  I have
> never used one, but I have no doubt it is a fine piece of equipment.  I do
> have, however, the GC Solder Popper (model 12-2157).  It is the same sort
> of tool as the Hakko: a one-hand solder-pump that melts and vacuums solder
> in one operation.  You just heat the pad, push the button, and "schlurp",
> the solder is gone.  I have used it many, many times, including for all of
> the Rev A to B K2 modifications.  And it is simply wonderful.  Now, as I
> say, I have not used the Hakko, so I can't really offer a direct
> comparison.  But I will say that it is inconceivable to me that the Hakko
> could do the job any better than the GC.  The GC does exactly what is
> needed, very quickly, very easily.
>
> There is a difference, however. The GC costs $34.69, while the Hakko costs
> $169 ("best price I've found", in the words of one happy camper).  So, for
> those of you who are looking for a bit of aid in making the Rev A to B
mods
> that may be more in the budget, give this tool a look-see.  You can find
it
> at <http://www.action-electronics.com/desolder.htm>.  Scroll down the page
> a bit to find it.
>
> I'll provide the usual disclaimer: I have no interest in the GC Solder
> Popper other than as a very satisfied user.
>
>
> best wishes,
>
> dave belsley, w1euy
> ----------------------------------
> David A. Belsley
> Professor of Economics
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