Follow up: Aoyue 474A+ Desoldering Station

Mine just came in today and I'm impressed. Can't wait to use it... I'm thinking I'll play hooky from work on Friday to get some projects done. :D

Thanks OP and everyone else for the great information on this unit. :beerchug:
 
komodo said:
Be sure to dampen the sponge filter before starting to desolder. Use the silicone grease around the o-rings on the tube to keep the vacuum high. Don't run the unit on high or you will burn the tips. Be careful not to drop the gun as it has a ceramic heating element and it will crack.
Click to expand...

Excellent tips!!
 
I used my Blackjack today for the first time to remove a chip socket on a Galaga board. Learned that the tip size is very important. Other than that, it went very well. Took about a minute to do the entire socket, without any problems with a tip lifting a pad or sliding and messing up a trace. Very clean result when finished. I'm very happy...
 
Well...I'm convinced. Now I just need to get the money to get one. I've got a ton of boardwork and this would do nothing except help.

I found a seller on Amazon that has it for about the price you mentioned. Where did you get yours from?
 
Peale said:
Well...I'm convinced. Now I just need to get the money to get one. I've got a ton of boardwork and this would do nothing except help.

I found a seller on Amazon that has it for about the price you mentioned. Where did you get yours from?
Click to expand...

I assume you are talking to me. :) I bought it from https://store.sra-solder.com, which is the same company that is selling it on Amazon but its slightly cheaper.
 
metahugh said:
I assume you are talking to me. :) I bought it from https://store.sra-solder.com, which is the same company that is selling it on Amazon but its slightly cheaper.
Click to expand...

You are correct, I was addressing you.

Edit: sweet! They're only like 100 miles away. I can go pick on up at their store, then swing by Betson New England for parts. WIN!
 
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Peale said:
You are correct, I was addressing you.

Edit: sweet! They're only like 100 miles away. I can go pick on up at their store, then swing by Betson New England for parts. WIN!
Click to expand...

While you are there buy extra spring filters and round filters too :)
 
metahugh said:
While you are there buy extra spring filters and round filters too :)
Click to expand...

Quick, do you have URLs for these parts? I was going to go down, but the weather is supposed to be miserable for the next few days.

edit: and why these parts in particular?
 
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I have been using the included tips so you won't need anything else IMHO.

I will try and post some part numbers for you... I'm at work and their site is blocked :( I mentioned those two in particular because they are wear items. The solder sticks to the spring filter and it is fun trying to remove a lot of solder from one if you do a lot of work in one go (I have done it though, makes a cool mold for solder :) )

The round filters are sponges and they do wear out. The included ones do last a while but while you are buying might as well stock up to save on shipping in the future.
 
I ordered replacement tips and sponges and springs from Rubenstein guys. I also order replacment heating elements for my gun and a new gun.

installed the new gun and WOW ! I'm desoldering again. Love my setup again. I will rebuild my original gun and other replacement with the new heating elements that got broken due to my stupidity when I dropped the gun and cracked the ceramic heating element. The other one got broken when I let somebody else use the gun and he was BANGING the tip of the gun on the board To clear the solder blockage. Use the long tool to push the stuck solder into the spring trap guys.

I keep several spring elements handy in case performance starts to suffer and clearing the gun doesn't help. I hot swap a new spring in the collection device and set the old one aside to cool. When I get 2-3 of these units set aside, I dump the loose solder catchings into the trash, then I fire up my Weller soldering gun (heavy duty job) and slide the spring trap onto the tip of the gun over the trash. The solder blobs that are stuck in the spring just melt into the trash and clear the spring again. Takes about 60 seconds to do all three of them. Then I am ready for another round of desoldering. Different tip sizes are important. My replacement gun came with a big tip and while it might be okay for sedoldering flybacks, it is too big for caps and ICs. I'll be changing it out when I get back home.
 
komodo said:
I ordered replacement tips and sponges and springs from Rubenstein guys. I also order replacment heating elements for my gun and a new gun.

installed the new gun and WOW ! I'm desoldering again. Love my setup again. I will rebuild my original gun and other replacement with the new heating elements that got broken due to my stupidity when I dropped the gun and cracked the ceramic heating element. The other one got broken when I let somebody else use the gun and he was BANGING the tip of the gun on the board To clear the solder blockage. Use the long tool to push the stuck solder into the spring trap guys.

I keep several spring elements handy in case performance starts to suffer and clearing the gun doesn't help. I hot swap a new spring in the collection device and set the old one aside to cool. When I get 2-3 of these units set aside, I dump the loose solder catchings into the trash, then I fire up my Weller soldering gun (heavy duty job) and slide the spring trap onto the tip of the gun over the trash. The solder blobs that are stuck in the spring just melt into the trash and clear the spring again. Takes about 60 seconds to do all three of them. Then I am ready for another round of desoldering. Different tip sizes are important. My replacement gun came with a big tip and while it might be okay for sedoldering flybacks, it is too big for caps and ICs. I'll be changing it out when I get back home.
Click to expand...


Exactly the same thing I do, great minds think alike :) I am sure I can continue to use my spring filter for a long time to come. its just good to have everything on hand just in case :)
 
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