Hakko 808 Rocks!

nanoryan

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Amazon had a decent price so I pulled the trigger on a Hakko 808 desoldering tool.

I got it yesterday and it friggin rocks! I was able to replace four pots on a Vidiot board in about 10min. By far the best soldering related tool I own.
 
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I will have to get one. It's been in that back of my mind for awhile, and the Radio Shack manual "bulb" desoldering iron is hell on my thumbs when doing ICs. How much did you pay?
 
I will have to get one. It's been in that back of my mind for awhile, and the Radio Shack manual "bulb" desoldering iron is hell on my thumbs when doing ICs. How much did you pay?

I think it was about $180 with shipping. I am sure somebody on here can find a better deal. It really is a great tool. Not cheap but well worth it IMO. I don't have to worry about lifting traces, overheating components, cleaning out messy thru holes, etc, etc .. woo hoo!
 
Jordan, please show it to me next time I'm at your house. I'm pretty happy with my cheap solder sucker and wick so it's hard to imagine dropping that kind of cash on a desoldering tool. Maybe you'll be able to convince me.
 
Fry's sell it for $160. I got mine from NEI Lamps, who matched Fry's price for me.
 
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Can someone point us to the best online price for this?

How long do the tips hold up? I am using the Radio Shack iron with the red bulb, and when the tip is in good shape, it works really well. However, I can't make a tip last long..they burn up, get cruddy.
 
Jordan, please show it to me next time I'm at your house. I'm pretty happy with my cheap solder sucker and wick so it's hard to imagine dropping that kind of cash on a desoldering tool. Maybe you'll be able to convince me.

Definitely check it out Jeff. I have a Aoyou model with the vacuum gun and hot air rework, and I wouldn't want to go back. It makes it faster for me, but more importantly, I enjoy the work more using tools like these. Disclaimer: I tend to like the tools almost as much as the games. :)
 
Good video. Have to admit, that would be pretty nice for doing flybacks. They're such a pain to get fully clean. For normal components though, I'm not convinced that it's worth the big bucks unless you are frequently doing lots of desoldering (which I'm not).
 
I bought one of these a few weeks ago as someone on here had recommended it... And after looking at the reviews on Amazon and giving it some thought I finally pulled the trigger on it. Haven't had a reason to use it yet - but will probably be doing a cap kit on a 4600 soon. Looking forward to giving it a try based on that video! The biggest reason I picked it up is I've hated pulling IC's and this thing looks like it'll make them a breeze.
 
Hakko makes a larger tip for the 808, I run that one since it goes over flyback pins but isn't too large for work on smaller IC legs.

You'll find after a lot of use on dirty components and especially old crusty flux that the reed valves in the back of the unit will get fouled. They'll look like they have a yellow-ish powder coating them and the performance will drop off dramatically.

Fortunately the unit is easy enough to service and you can get a few more miles using some "Flux Off" to clean those valves outside the unit. I also keep a spare pair around.

Lastly- the stand base for the 808 is really nice and will keep it from burning up wires and the rest of the crap that seems to accumulate on the bench whenever repairs are under way.
 
Jordan, please show it to me next time I'm at your house. I'm pretty happy with my cheap solder sucker and wick so it's hard to imagine dropping that kind of cash on a desoldering tool. Maybe you'll be able to convince me.

Hey Jeff, not a problem. Ken was over the week before the Seattle show. We were working on his 6100 and he was also pretty impressed with the 808. I have a feeling it's on his wish list, if he didn't allready pick one up!
 
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Hakko makes a larger tip for the 808, I run that one since it goes over flyback pins but isn't too large for work on smaller IC legs.

You'll find after a lot of use on dirty components and especially old crusty flux that the reed valves in the back of the unit will get fouled. They'll look like they have a yellow-ish powder coating them and the performance will drop off dramatically.

Fortunately the unit is easy enough to service and you can get a few more miles using some "Flux Off" to clean those valves outside the unit. I also keep a spare pair around.

Lastly- the stand base for the 808 is really nice and will keep it from burning up wires and the rest of the crap that seems to accumulate on the bench whenever repairs are under way.

Thanks for the extra info Mike! Are you using the 1.3mm or 1.6mm nozzle?
 
I use the 1.6mm nozzle (A1007) for flyback posts as well as the larger inline Molex headers. IT works great. I also have a smaller nozzle (A1487) that I use for SMDs.

The A1005 and A1007 get the most use from me. Both of these nozzles can be bought at Frys, though they were out of stock when I was there last.
 
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