[Elecraft] solder removers
David A. Belsley
[email protected]
Sun Jan 12 11:13:04 2003
Several who have responded to me about the GC Solder Popper do not seem to
realize that the GC unit is, like the Hakko, a single unit with a hollow
tip that allows the desoldering operation to be done with a single hand and
without having to remove the heating element from the pad while the solder
sucking takes place. Other than the fact that the GC unit uses a
spring-loaded pump instead of a motor operated pump, it is identical in
concept to the Hakko. And while the GC unit's spring-loaded pump must be
recocked for each use, this is really a trivial operation. Further, the
spring-loaded vacuum pump on the GC is very effective. I have used this
unit on many, many occasions, and it has worked every time with a single
'shot'. I will also say that the GC unit is extremely robust and easy to
care for and clean. It does not require the exquisite care and feeding
that, to judge from some posts, the Hakko unit seems to require. On the
other side, the continuous pump on the Hakko would clearly be an advantage
if one were trying to remove a series of 40-pin ICs. But for most of the
more casual operations we Hams do, I think you'll find that the GC will
more than serve the need at a significantly lesser price.
In operation I find that, if the soldered lead was in the center of the pad
hole (not touching the side), the lead is free and ready to be removed
after one shot. If, however, the lead is pressing against the side of the
pad, as would be the case if you had bent the leads to the sides to hold
the component in place during installation, there can be a tiny bit of
solder left where the lead touches the pad. There is no way around this
and it will necessarily be true for any desoldering tool. Sometimes this
solder will snap with just a bit of side pressure on the lead (but take
care not to press too hard) and sometimes you must use your regular iron to
heat and push the lead into the center of the pad hole. When you do this,
be sure your iron is good and clean so that it does not reintroduce solder
to the pad.
Again, my friends, it's your call. But check the GC out at
<http://www.action-electronics.com/desolder.htm> to be sure we all know
what we're talking about. The first thing you'll see on that page is the
Hakko unit, but scroll down a bit to find the GC model 12-2157.
The real beauty of either of these units is, once you have one, you will
feel a lot better about undertaking any removal revision. Just knowing you
have it will relieve a lot of anxiety.
best wishes,
dave belsley, w1euy
--On Sunday, January 12, 2003 9:01 AM -0600 Don Brown <[email protected]>
wrote:
> 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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----------------------------------
David A. Belsley
Professor of Economics