[Elecraft] Unsoldering

[Doug Person]

The Hakko 808 is awesome.  The price is almost doubled since I bought 
mine.  This is pretty inexpensive by comparison: ESD Safe Compact 
Desoldering Station 
<https://www.circuitspecialists.com/Compact_Desoldering_System.html>

I can'y imagine not having the Hakko or something similar.  Not just for 
kit building.  Just for fooling around with various ideas on a circuit 
board where you much more prone to making mistakes.  Having one of these 
tools gives me a much greater sense of confidence.  I can solder in an 
entire 16 pin IC backwards and get back out in minutes.

Not that you should allow this to be an excuse to be less careful. But 
accidents happen.  Especially when your eyes are getting older and 
components are getting smaller.

Circuit Specialists 
<https://www.circuitspecialists.com/through-hole-soldering-and-desoldering-stations> 
has several other desoldering tools.  If the price is within your 
budget, it's a great tools to have.

73,  Doug -- K0DXV

On 2/20/2016 8:16 AM, Chip Stratton wrote:
> Using solder wicks and cheap solder suckers is tough. After I got a Hakko
> 808 desoldering kit, a world of difference, made removing soldered
> components and making sure the pcb board hole was open for the replacement
> almost trivial. I know, they are expensive. Maybe you could borrow one if
> you aren't frequently doing that kind of stuff.
>
> Chip
> AE5KA
>
> On Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft <
> elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> Sorry, never built a K1.   Back in my hole.
>> Mel, K6KBE
>>
>>
>>        From: Kevin Stover <kevin.stover at mediacombb.net>
>>   To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>   Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2016 7:40 AM
>>   Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Unsoldering
>>
>> He's building a K1 (no SMT parts) not a computer motherboard.
>>
>>
>> On 2/20/2016 9:23 AM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote:
>>> I have been in the manufacturing process for a LONG time and the rework
>> stations used in SMT parts is a state of art with custom equipment for the
>> process,  Tips that are the exact size of the parts to heat up each end are
>> necessary for all part sizes down to 02-01 package and all of the IC's with
>> special square tips etc. Special soldering irons and vacuum rework
>> stations.  Only simple rework should be attempted without the special tools
>> required.  Sorry no easy answer.
>>> Mel, K6KBE
>>>
>>>
>>>         From: Mark Petrovic <mspetrovic at gmail.com>
>>>   To: elecraft at qth.net
>>>   Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2016 7:11 AM
>>>   Subject: [Elecraft] Unsoldering
>>>
>>> I'm assembling an Elecraft K1, and get the distinct feeling that
>>> unsoldering really is the last thing you want to be involved in.  I
>>> have solder wick that has embedded flux, and I have a solder sucker
>>> that seems huge compared to the size of the features I'm dealing with.
>>> The wick works ok at getting some of the solder out, but not all of
>>> it.  And a little bit of residual solder is still a major physical
>>> blocker to correcting a misplaced component or bad joint.
>>>
>>> I feel like I'm a pretty good solder-er, but I have not had good luck
>>> with unsoldering.  Is it just me or does everyone have this problem?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>> Mark
>>> AE6RT
>>>
>>
>> --
>> R. Kevin Stover
>> AC0H
>> ARRL
>> FISTS #11993
>> SKCC #215
>> NAQCC #3441
>>
>>
>> ---
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