Best way to Desolder?

Magister

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Ok, I guess its time to learn how to solder better, but what do you recommend when it comes to desoldering? Braid, suction pen, or the vacuum gun? I see they have a few vacuum ones on ebay for like $70. Seems like the better mess free and screw up proof way to go.
 
I've never used the soldering iron with the vacuum so I don't know how those work. Used to like he braid but now I use the sodapult (sp) like many others. It works great.
 
I have a soldering iron with a suction tip. Has a red squeezy ball to suck off melted solder. Works like a champ.

This isn't my pic... I found it on the net... but it's just like this.

DnqsCl.jpg
 
SideNote: This probably needs to be moved to the Repair Forum.

I have used just about everthing to desolder: wicks, rubber ball desoldering irons, soldapullits (sp?) and a hybrid desoldering iron with a soldapullit grafted onto it. I now use a BlackJack BK4000 desoldering station. This is a desktop vacuum pump type desoldering tool. There is no comparison. These win hands down. The tip is temperature controlled so it is much less likely to lift the traces and solder pads. It melts the solder and removes it so much better than the the solder suckers. I can pull a chip in seconds with one hand versus minutes doing the melt and suck dance that takes both hands.

They are a little more expensive than the plastic solder suckers, but the ease and time savings make these a no brainer recommendation. Save yourself all the pain, suffering and wasted money and buy one from the start.

ken
 
SideNote: This probably needs to be moved to the Repair Forum.

I have used just about everthing to desolder: wicks, rubber ball desoldering irons, soldapullits (sp?) and a hybrid desoldering iron with a soldapullit grafted onto it. I now use a BlackJack BK4000 desoldering station. This is a desktop vacuum pump type desoldering tool. There is no comparison. These win hands down. The tip is temperature controlled so it is much less likely to lift the traces and solder pads. It melts the solder and removes it so much better than the the solder suckers. I can pull a chip in seconds with one hand versus minutes doing the melt and suck dance that takes both hands.

They are a little more expensive than the plastic solder suckers, but the ease and time savings make these a no brainer recommendation. Save yourself all the pain, suffering and wasted money and buy one from the start.

ken
what temp do you set it on when removing ic's
 
Yes, the vacuum pump is the best

I progressed from the methods

Solder braid
cutting off old ICs then desoldering one leg at a time
Cold Manual solder pump
Heated manual solder pump (No temp control)
Vacuum pump (with temperature control)

The vacuum pump does an almost perfect job.
So quick to get all the solder off.

Nintendo and midway boards can handle the 4 cheaper options better as their boards are better quality than Atari etc

Only use the last option on Ataris, or you will lose solder pads

All the best
 
I use 650 degrees F on my Pace units. That's what was drilled into my head by the factory trainer back in the mid-90s when I went through their class.

700 and higher causes the tips to turn color and have drastically shorter lives.
 
I use a Hakko 808 and love it. However, if I'm only desoldering a few pins, like when replacing a single resistor or something, I'll just use a Soldapult since I can have it done in less time than it takes the Hakko to heat up. I hardly ever use braid.
 
The Blackjack looks nice. Doesn't say too much on this site about it, but I'll look into it more. How is the suction power on it?

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk4000.html

I purchased this one about 2 years ago based on advice from this forum. It works great.

Here's the large thread showing exactly what a good desoldering device can do. I have re-imbedded one of the OP's pics here showing a completely clean removal of chip on a Centipede board.

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=121330
and
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=120155

main.php
 
I purchased this one about 2 years ago based on advice from this forum. It works great.

Here's the large thread showing exactly what a good desoldering device can do. I have re-imbedded one of the OP's pics here showing a completely clean removal of chip on a Centipede board.

That one doesn't look too bad. Price is nice too, $89 at this site.

http://www.ownta.com/aoyue-474-desoldering-station.html

51qIbpV6kML__AA1024_.jpg
 
I like that its all one unit, but the price is kinda high. :eek:

You can find it for about $179 on Amazon and eBay, sometimes less. I agree it's expensive. I was willing to pay the premium since at the time, I didn't have a lot of bench space for a stationary unit. I like how you can tuck this away in a drawer when you're not using it.
 
I use the 474 as well. Buy some extra sponges and "springs" to catch the solder while you are at it. You might want to buy a few extra tips as well depending on how much desoldering you are planning on doing.
Those part numbers for the blackjack are the same for the 474 so they are probably the same unit (gun wise).
 
Here is a trick that must be unique to me: If I'm desoldering something with only two leads like a capacitor, I carefully position the tip of my iron so it hits both pads, then pull the part out with a small pliers, or if it's big enough, my bare fingers. If I'm putting a new part there, I'll then clean the solder off the pads with braid until I can clearly see through the holes.

I'm still languishing in the braid stage at this point though. Braid is surprisingly effective with a good temperature-controlled iron.
 
I've been watching a bunch of youtube videos on every type of desoldering method. Using Braid seems to be a pain. The vacuum is pretty badass. The suction pen type thing can take a few tries unless you are really good with it. Then I watched a video of some guy going crazy with Flux when he was soldering two pieces of wire together. I have to say though, hands down the Vacuum is the winner. Betterr just to pay that extra money and get one, then to fight with the braid or pen.

I think this guy goes a little overboard with the Flux.

 
You can find it for about $179 on Amazon and eBay, sometimes less. I agree it's expensive. I was willing to pay the premium since at the time, I didn't have a lot of bench space for a stationary unit. I like how you can tuck this away in a drawer when you're not using it.

Go to Frys if you have one close to you. They have them there for $159.00.
 
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