[Elecraft] Xytronic One-Shot 2008 Desoldering Gun

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Dick:

Thanks so much for this review.

At 03:30 AM 7/27/04, Dick Ballard wrote:
>I've also had one for several years. It was purchased in 1997. I don't
>do a lot of construction or repair, so my use of it is light. I've
>used it on plated thru hole boards with no problem. I have not used
>any comparable devices, only manual suckers (bad reflux from them). So
>I can't compare it to the Hakko.
>
>It is a one shot solenoid operated piston device in a soldering gun
>format.

So... is it truly a one-shot? In other words, when you press the trigger, 
does it actuate a piston which (presumably) retracts, ONE TIME, causing a 
vacuum which sucks out the solder? Or does it start a small vacuum pump (as 
in the Hakko 808) and suck out the solder? Thus, the "One Shot" implying 
that it takes only "One Shot" to remove the solder.

>It doesn't seem to reflux (splatter solder particles out after
>the suck cycle). Cleaning is done with supplied wire cleaners. Solder
>is collected in an easily removed cylinder interposed between the
>heating head and the sucking device. There is a foam filter in the
>tube. A tool is provided for removing the chamber when it is hot so
>you can dump the old solder and continue on.

This a very GOOD idea. That's for sure.

>Heating is adjustable but actual temperature numbers are not provided.
>I don't think there is any tip temperature sensing, just a solid state
>heat control.

Do you not feel that the solid staste heat control also senses tip temp?

>The tips screw into the heater head. My data sheet shows 0.8mm (0.03in), 
>1.0mm (0.038in), and 1.2mm (0.046in) sizes available.

The largest tip might be a good investment as well... sometimes you have 
large(r) lugs (as on board-mounted BNCs) to be removed, and a larger 
diameter tip would really come in handy there.

>It does clog occasionally at the tip, and it requires tinning and
>cleaning on the outside of the tip, like any soldering iron, in order
>to maintain good thermal contact with the work piece. It is user
>serviceable and a parts list and assembly diagram are provided. The
>supplied stand would be considered flimsy by many, but I've found it
>to be adequate.

Adequate is probably all that's needed, since it's probably not kept heated 
all the time.

>I was able to order extra tips shortly after I bought it, but I
>haven't had any further contact with the manufacturer/supplier, so I
>can't speak to the current support situation.

Your candid review is greatly appreciated!

73,

Tom Hamond    N0SS