[Elecraft] Desoldering and installing the KX1 3080 option

[Don Brown]

I agree with everything Ron has said here and would like to add: The spring 
loaded solder remover as well as the Hakko 808 require frequent cleaning. 
The spring type should be disassembled and all of the solder bits removed. 
You can clean the excess flux from inside the barrel with a rag and a little 
WD40. You should also put a light coat of silicone grease on the O-ring on 
the plunger. Get a few spare tips and on one of them cut a little V with 
your flush cutters just large enough for your soldering tip. That way you 
can place solder sucker tip over the iron tip and get a better seal for the 
vacuum to remove the solder

If the solder sucker is not clean the little balls of solder will re-fill 
the pad hole and generally get all over the board as well as the loss of 
suction will require several tries to get the solder removed. I usually 
clean the solder sucker after about 10-15 cycles.

You can also use a wooden toothpick to clean out the pad holes after the 
part is removed if you heat the pad and stick the toothpick into the hole 
while the solder is still liquid but the solder sucker works better.

Don Brown
KD5NDB



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 10:39 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Desoldering and installing the KX1 3080 option


<Snip>


A power vacuum desolderer like the Hakko can be a wonderful investment and
good addition to the bench. Like any tool, it requires the user understand
its limitations and applications. It does greatly eliminate the need for
two-handed desoldering. I'm aware that one can use a separate desoldering
pump and iron on one side of the board. It works, but it usually takes more
heat and more time. Because of that, it's a good way to debond pads.

The Hakko 808 makes the job easier, for a price. Just be careful, very
careful, what you touch with it. I've used similar tools. I've thought about
getting one myself, but since we don't have it on the recommend tools
list...

Ron AC7AC