Desoldering Stations. Which are the best?

Jerry Scaduto

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hello all. I am in need for a desoldering station ASAP. I used to use the china brand( Tenma) from MCM electronics, but was never happy with it. It always did an OK job, but never would desolder those sections with large pads. I am looking to spend about $500. I have heard great things about metcal, but those are pretty pricey.

I cant use the old sucker wands anymore. They are fustrating and are not for the volume of work I do.

Any choice suggestions? What do you guys use?
 
i use a larger tenma for those large pads and don't have an issue?
 
Your going to get mixed opinions on this subject. I personally use Pace exclusively. I have two MBT-250 rework stations and two small digital soldering stations.
The answer really comes down to how much you want to spend and how much it will get used.
 
What ever unit you decide on make certain there are replacement parts avaiable. Buffett also has a Pace unit for this reason.
 
Yup a PACE MBT 250 or better will do exactly what you want to do.

just watch ebay you can get some good deals on there from time to time.

i have seen the PACE MBT 250 go there for what you are looking to spend.

Peace
Buffett
 
I do a lot of road service. My trusty Hakko 808
"lives" in one of the storage compartments in
my car's trunk.

JD
 
I just bought a Hakko 808, and I love it. It's quick to heat up, (less than 30 seconds for me), and cleared out the solder pads I had to clear with some much ease that I was stunned.

I'm sure the other stations mentioned above work as well or better. The cost on the Hakko 808 is really great though - I liked it so much, I bought a Hakko 888 soldering station, and I'm even more thrilled.

You can get them on eBay - my seller was B&D, and they were great. The stuff was packed well, and arrived in perfect shape.
 
Thanks all for the input. based on my needs, I think I am going to give the 808 a shot. I do go mobile quite often. Would you say it's better than the Tenma for $299.00 at MCM electronics? That was the unit I used to use and it was, eah, ok at best.
 
Thanks all for the input. based on my needs, I think I am going to give the 808 a shot. I do go mobile quite often. Would you say it's better than the Tenma for $299.00 at MCM electronics? That was the unit I used to use and it was, eah, ok at best.

One quick note - the 808 does not come with a stand. I would recommend the
633-01 stand/tip cleaner.

JD
 
Considering the Hakko 808 myself. Assuming it's a night & day difference between something like this and using a iron + wicking braid?

B&D offering the kit + holder/cleaner for $198 shipped on ebay.
 
If you're planning on using it frequently I personally think it's worth spending the extra cash and getting a 472D. It's much nicer to have a small, lightweight desoldering pencil in your hand rather than a bulky all-in-one desoldering gun.
 
I got a Pace ST 115 and havent looked back,plenty of suction and hardly ever a blockage and if it does it is easy to clear as the heater goes right back toward the end of the nozzle and the solder never sets hard.Big step-up from one of those $200 chinese cheapies that never worked properly from day one.
 
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