DE-Soldering options

[4krow]

 Guys, I know where to go when I have a question like this. Not that you might make great use of a DE-Soldering gun/station, but I would like to know if the Hakko FR300? hand held gun is worth a try. Not looking to spend a bundle here. This unit looks to be an all in one device, and it might a bit hard to work with or may have issues that would affect performance. So, do any of you guys have experience with one of these?

[johnsonad]

A friend who is a pro in the business uses a S-993A. They are a third of the price of the Hakko and he swears by it. It's on my list of tools to purchase but most of the time I get away with Solder wick and a pen shaped device full of flux. For as little as I use it the extra time doesn't bother me. The extra flux makes all the difference.

[4krow]

johnonad,

   I agree with your assessment concerning flux. Get the right stuff, and everything gets easier. I have small project coming my way that I was told that it would highly recommended for me to have desoldering gun. For the time being, I have instead ordered some 'chip quik' just in case that I will need it. Pretty amazing stuff when it applies. I have seen recently, solder that is very difficult to work with form the factory, and that is what makes me wonder about all of this. Of course, the quality of a circuit board will also let you know pretty fast whether or not your on the right track.
  Who makes the S-993A?  It happens that I can get the Hakko FR300 gun for about $270. That's still more than I like, but I just came up from the shop from whiffing alcohol and other fumes that I use for cleaning. Not so smart on my part.

[4krow]

 Sure enough, I found the S-993A on Ebay. I will have to look and see if there are replacement filters, etc. as only two are shown that come with the gun. I must admit though, you can clearly see the difference in quality between it and a Hakko. As long as it does the job, I should be happy. Thanks for the recommendation.

[johnsonad]

I don't know. They look about the same to me and he has used the same gun for years.

I've found with difficult solder, if you flow some fresh solder over the old joint it will take care of it and make it easy to resolder or desolder depending on what you want to do.

That gun I posted about is $89 on Epay btw. I have a Hankko station at home and love it but if I can stretch my dollar further....

[sl-15]

I have had the hakko de-soldering gun for about a year and I really like it. It makes de-soldering much faster, heat stressing boards and components less. Can't comment on the other brand, in the end they are very similar.

[Deluk]

As an aside, use quality solder. I recommend Cardas. A bit expensive, but 5 metres will last a long time. It flows fast and clean with little or no flux residue. Don't overload the joint.

[4krow]

I also agree about the solder used, however, when desoldering factory boards, who knows what they have used. I have stuck with Wonder solder for years now, and finally bought 1lb. spool since I use it so often. I was buying smaller quantities and running out at times.

[4krow]

 A bit of an update for the Hakko FR300. That ended up being the tool that I purchased, and yes, it really does a fine job. One consideration for me to remember is that some solder joints are made with higher temp solder. In these cases, it is required to turn up the temp on the tool. In fact, since I did not remember to do that, the solder 'froze' inside the suction tube, and it took some time to clear it and clean it. Now, as you might expect when I am doing something, I always think that I should go a step further. I grabbed a Q-tip and wetted it with acetone...bad idea. As I cleaned the plastic suction tube out, I noticed a long crack, and then another one. Too late, as the tube continued to react to the acetone until it was done. It didn't break apart as you might expect, but I used thin wire and a coat of epoxy for temporary repair until the next tube arrives.

[4krow]

  I think it is worth adding about the FR300 that as much as it does what it claims, there is no free lunch. After each job I clean it out thoroughly and sometimes have to change the ceramic filter. So, whether you use solder wick and clean up after it with alcohol swabs, or use a solder sucker of one kind or another, in the end, clean up is part of the duty. I tend to use solder wick when removing larger amounts of solder, and the FR300 when getting into more intricate spaces where the quickness of the gun permits less damage and total heat to the board and components.

[2wo]

I have one of those $20 desoldering irons that Radio Shack used to sell. like this from PX

 https://www.parts-express.com/ecg-j-045-ds-45-watt-desoldering-iron--372-202

Much easier to use than a separate iron and pump. That and a little wick is all I need...John 

[4krow]

 Now that, is something I have not tried. Looks good for use in larger solder removal applications. For smaller circuit board work it may be a bit much though.