[Elecraft] Upgrade question

[Jim Giercyk]

All,

Believe it or not, I already own both of the RS items.  I abandon the desoldering iron because of the temperature issue Ron mentioned.  I feel that the sucker doesn't really cut it as far as vacuum power.  I was planning on using my Weller WES50 station and the trusty old Sold-a-pult.  I guess I panic whenever there is a chance the a board could get destroyed.  It seems the consensus is that the rock-and-pull method should work without a problem assuming the temperature is kept low enough.

I guess the next logical question would be, "What's the difference between the old and new crystals?".  Were the older crystals of inferior quality?  Thanks to everyone,

Jim

--- ron at cobi.biz wrote:

From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
To: "'elecraft Reflector'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Upgrade question
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:58:47 -0800

These are inexpensive and effective desoldering tools, but be aware they are
*not* temperature controlled. The tip temperature can soar to well over
800F, especially while sitting on the cradle, then drop too low if you are
removing parts from board that includes a fair-sized ground plane. Such heat
extremes - too high or so low the iron is on the board too long - can easily
debond (lift) circuit traces and do other nasty stuff. 

That's why Elecraft calls for a temperature-controlled iron in all the
manuals and mod instructions. It's the temperature control that causes most
of the price difference. 

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sam Morgan
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:27 AM
To: Joe Planisky
Cc: elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Upgrade question

Joe Planisky wrote:
> Hi Jim,
> 
> I've had good results using a GC Electronics "Solder Popper" (part #  
> 12-2157).  It's a 30W soldering iron with a built-in spring loaded  
> solder sucker.  While it's certainly not equal to something like a  
> Hakko 808, it's adequate for occasional use.  And at less than $40,  
> it's about 1/4 the cost.
> 
I made a homebrew version of that using:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731
removed the rubber bulb and added a piece of clear tubing and:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062745
total cost about $20.00

I used it for removing the 14 xtals in my K2 just a few weeks ago
worked just fine. If you have a little solder left in the hole that doesn't
want 
to come out (after the xtal is removed) just add a little solder to the
hole, 
then use the sucker again, and it will remove it all, resulting in a clean
hole.

-- 
GB & 73
KA5OAI
Sam Morgan
Linux, the lifetime learning experience.
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