Desoldering station: how often do u clean out solder?

MajorHavoc

Well-known member

Donor 2011
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
1,661
Reaction score
108
Location
Saint Leonard, Maryland
Desoldering station: how often do u clean out solder?

I have a CircuitSpecialists.com CSI 701 SMD, and it works but I feel like I spend more time cleaning the solder out of it then actually using it.

Would that improve if I got something like a Pace? Or is this just the way it is? Desoldering tools need to be cleaned out often to keep them sucking well.

Thanks!
 
I use both a weller wrs1002x, and a pace MBT 201-SD

They both use collection tubes, the weller uses a cardboard replaceable tube, while the pace uses a reusable glass tube.

Basically what happens is the solder get's sucked in, and on the pace it's supposed to hit the little metal insert, cool and stick. No such thing on the Weller. But it doesn't do that so well. Little pieces of the solder still find their way back down to the nozzle, because, you point it that way to desolder.

What I do that helps is try to desolder with the board on it's side that way the wand is horizontal and not vertical. I also tend to put down my wand so that the tip is pointed up, this helps the hot solder stay at the bottom, and not pool up at the collection nozzle.

But overall, you have to clean them out pretty frequent. I can go a full day of re-work without much problem on either, but I will clean them out at the end of the day. On my weller, I have spare collection tubes, and will just swap them out. I then clean them all out at once. I know they are disposable, but I'm cheap..

You will always need to use a nozzle cleaner to keep things flowing, but not as much if you do the previous stuff. Another thing that helps is always having a good nozzle. If the one you are using starts to pit, or get's corroded from use replace it. Also try a nozzle with a bit bigger inside diameter.

This should keep you sucking a little while longer :001_ssuprised:
 
You should not have to hold your tool horizontally to work properly. You may have a system issue. I have a metcal SP-440 and it is a workhorse. The collection chamber is lined with filter paper - I made a template and cut them out of coffee filters. There also is a felt filter at the bottom that is inexpensive. I only have to clean it when it's full. Once in a great while the tip becomes clogged and it's very easy to unclog with the tip cleaning tool. If I am doing a lot of desoldering in succession and the solder is hot, some of the solder may flow back towards the tip. I just depress the vacuum pump button once and it clears the solder in the tip then I continue desoldering. I have a spare setup with many extra tips. When these both go, I'll be posting a "what should I replace it with post" but I hope that's not for a very long time. I've used a lot of desoldering equipment throughout the years, but Metcal has never let me down.

Bill
 

i use a vacuum pump from an old neon shop with my invented solder trap to keep solder bits from damaging the pump. i see vacuum pumps all the time in the pawn shops around here and they are way cheaper than a sucker tool i think.

i have a long tube with a narrow end to do the job on the solder. the pump is so powerful, i think it could suck a golf ball through it if it could fit one into the end !

i clean my trap about once or twice a year depending on usage. i like the sound of the pump too, makes me feel like work is getting done even if im contemplating my next move.
 
Thanks for the input everyone.

My system works adequately once emptied but all the solder collects at the back of a metal wire cone and so once I have desoldered enough to make a blob about the size of 1/4 to 1/2 of a pea, it's useless! I think the air is supposed to go between the wires all up and down the coil, but obviously that is not happening.

So, anyone parting with a good desoldering station for a reasonable price? :)
 
Back
Top Bottom