Just picked up this desoldering tool. I didn't have high expectations, and figured it was likely to be returned, but it works way better than I expected!
I got it on Amazon, it's a keeper!
Attachments
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Nice! 4.5 star reviews. Must be pretty good. I did not know they made such a thing.
Brad
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Just picked up this desoldering tool. I didn't have high expectations, and figured it was likely to be returned, but it works way
I assume you operate it with the "Pewter Button?" And then clean it with the "Through the needle?"
Bob
@RRDOC posted:I assume you operate it with the "Pewter Button?" And then clean it with the "Through the needle?"
Bob
Actually, you use the button to suck the solder, but cleaning is by removing the cap using the Screw Cap near the top. I suspect the needle is just if solder or something else gets stuck in the nozzle.
John:
Just went on Amazon Australia this afternoon after seeing your post, found the exact same item but with the 240VAC plug, and ordered one.
$60 Aus with free shipping.......should see it in about 5 days time.
Thank you for sharing........I have been looking for something like this, and was getting tired of using the copper solder wick.
Onward and upward in my efforts to join the 21 Centaury electronic model train brigade.
Peter.......Buco Australia.
GRJ, I cannot find the exact model on Amazon. Can you post a link to the exact product? It looks pretty cool. I had not seen a device like this before. The only powered solder suckers I have seen were always much more expensive.
Russell
@rtrahan posted:GRJ, I cannot find the exact model on Amazon. Can you post a link to the exact product? It looks pretty cool. I had not seen a device like this before. The only powered solder suckers I have seen were always much more expensive.
Russell
I can't post a direct link as that's against forum rules, search Amazon for this product #: B0CRYZC6YR
Thanks very much!
Russell
@B rad posted:Nice! 4.5 star reviews. Must be pretty good. I did not know they made such a thing.
Brad
Beware of Amazon reviews. Many are obvious shills (canned wording or poor spelling/grammar), but some sellers bribe real buyers into writing positive reviews. I recently bought a couple of automotive items (car cover and dash camera) and left honest reviews about the products.
The review for the car cover was 2 stars - it misleadingly said that it would protect from hail, but was obviously too thin to do so. The seller asked me to reconsider, and they would send me another car cover. I responded that I would reconsider revising my review if they removed the fraudulent wording from the product description. Crickets...
My review for the dash cam was 4 stars, which is "pretty good" in my opinion. I now receive repeated offers from the seller saying that if I buy a new camera and place a 5-star review, they will refund my money which means that I get the camera for free.
As a result, I don't know when a good review from a "verified purchaser" can be trusted.
BTW, I reported both sellers to Amazon, but their products are still out there.
Here is my 35 year old version, still going strong and does a great job when called upon. Not sure but likely bought at Radio Shack or Circuit City back in the day. It came with one other size tip but I have no idea where that might have wound up. 
Attachments
Images (1)
@Mallard4468 posted:Beware of Amazon reviews. Many are obvious shills (canned wording or poor spelling/grammar), but some sellers bribe real buyers into writing positive reviews. I recently bought a couple of automotive items (car cover and dash camera) and left honest reviews about the products.
This review was my personal observations, and nobody bribed me into saying anything.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:This review was my personal observations, and nobody bribed me into saying anything.
LOL!
Actually, I meant to include something like "don't trust reviews, unless they come from GRJ", but I got distracted.
@Mallard4468 posted:LOL!
Actually, I meant to include something like "don't trust reviews, unless they come from GRJ", but I got distracted.
Ok, I do accept bribes, I just didn't get any for this particular situation. 
I appreciate recommendations based on personal experience from a person who has a lot of experience in the field. Thank you!
Well, why not? The vacuum-pump system that I've got hasn't worked in several years; products from the likes of Hakko cost hundreds. Price of two lunches out!
@KarlDL posted:Well, why not? The vacuum-pump system that I've got hasn't worked in several years; products from the likes of Hakko cost hundreds. Price of two lunches out!
The prices of brands like Hakko are the reason I haven't had one of these since the old one with a squeeze bulb that I had 30 years ago. This just seemed like a decent one to try. The bonus is you can try it and return it for no charge if you don't like it.
I like the fact that they used a bellows and a solenoid, it seems like a mechanism that should be pretty reliable. The place I really liked the action was sucking the solder out of a thru-hole component, it was able to really clean it all out so you can use that part again. For replacement parts for some of the older boards we're working with, it's nice to be able to remove parts without killing them. Solder wick just doesn't do thru-hole stuff all that well.
John, thanks for the recommendation! I ordered one of these and it arrived today. It's going to be a lot faster and easier than using the spring loaded sucker I've been using for years. With the old one, many de-soldering tasks seemed like they would have benefited from having a third hand. Now I have just enough. 
At least until the next great thing comes along I didn't realize I 'needed'. 
I got this one a few months ago and it works very well. Mine came with 3 different size tips, but I have heard from others that said they did not get the extra tips or the cleaning rod. I got mine specifically for the repair of a 40 year old transceiver that needed every circuit board mounted electrolytic replaced and it took about an hour to remove all 42, where before, I would suffer through using flux, solder wick, and air pressure to clear the holes out for the new parts.
There appear to be a lot of clones available as well. For example:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item...964653800003530315_1
John
@Craftech posted:There appear to be a lot of clones available as well. For example:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item...964653800003530315_1
John
Yep, looks just like the one on Amazon. I've already used mine several times, I'm glad I found it as it has made the process a ton easier, and the fact that I can put it over a lead and completely seal it really removes the solder around a lead for easy extraction.
It's a keeper!
@Craftech posted:There appear to be a lot of clones available as well. For example:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item...964653800003530315_1
John
That's a 220V version.
@NJCJOE posted:That's a 220V version.
For me it always goes right to the 110v US version in Blue.
What changes is the fact that when I posted it it was $13.15. When John clicked on it it was $21.38. And now when I click on it is $15.15. That's AliExpress for you.
John
I also bought the same cheap unit about a month ago for a project. I was pleasantly surprised.
The add mentions operating voltage 220v. Do you need a 220 outlet to operate this tool? I know...dumb question?
@Rockyroad posted:The add mentions operating voltage 220v. Do you need a 220 outlet to operate this tool? I know...dumb question?
You pick the one with the US plug, it's a 110V model.
Anyone posting one of these in action?
@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:Anyone posting one of these in action?
Truthfully, it didn't seem to be something that warranted doing a video. You stick the tip on the joint and push the button.
Mine arrived yesterday from Amazon Australia, and I was a little surprised!!!
I had to choose the 220V one (you guys are whimps with your 110V), cause 240V is the standard voltage here in Australia (it'll kill you in a heart beat!!!)
Anyway, it appears the Chinese only make it in 220V for the European market, but that's OK, as it will still work on our 240V. Problem is the plug!!!!
The plug they supplied on the power cord is the 2 round pin type that is used in Europe......we use a 3 pin set-up in a triangular pattern.
But wait......they also supplied a "universal" plug adaptor that fits out power outlet, and also accommodates the 2 round pin plug on the power chord!!!!
English translation of the Chinese instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired - I still don't know what they mean in that last sentence!!!
The European 2 pin plug fitted to the power cord, and the "travel adaptor"
The "travel adaptor" they supplied instead of a proper 3 pin Australian plug
Long story short.....I opened the de-soldering tool up, unsoldered their crappy power chord from the PCB, and installed my own Australian power chord, with our 3 pin plug.....and everything works perfectly!!!!
Test tried it on an old PCB, and it works a treat!!! Sucked the old residual solder from the holes on the board, and left it clean as a whistle!!
Like John said..."it's a keeper" NOW!!!
Peter.......Buco Australia.
Attachments
Images (4)
Those oddball plugs will get you every time.
