If you are debating getting a desoldering gun...

Kalamath

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Stop, and get one. Now. Best damn thing I did was stop the endless search for the perfect one to get. I wound up with a Hakko 808, and I gotta say...pure bliss compared to a manual sucker & braid. I have to think that any kind would be better than nothing, but this thing rocks!
 
Stop, and get one. Now. Best damn thing I did was stop the endless search for the perfect one to get. I wound up with a Hakko 808, and I gotta say...pure bliss compared to a manual sucker & braid. I have to think that any kind would be better than nothing, but this thing rocks!

+1. About a year ago, I bought the same one. Absolutely love it. One of the best things I ever did.
 
Ditto - Keep it clean, and it just goes and goes!

This thing SUCKS - in a good way. ;-) It has made my board level repairs quick and easy.
 
I will look into them but I have my suspicions. I have used the manual tools for so long I just can't seem to justify the cost. I will put them on my watch list for e-pay.
 
-1 (yes, MINUS 1). :)

I've used manual tools for over 25 years. The few desoldering irons I've used (including a Hakko 808) were terrible compared to the large Soldapult I've used for as long as I can remember. The 808 I bought fell apart the DAY I bought it. Junk!
 
I bought a used one off of ebay. It is great! Way lighter than it looks also.

No doubt..it LOOKS bulky, but it's not. Balance is spot on, very easy to hold & use. I took a chip out yesterday and was done in 1/10th of the time.

1..2..zzzzzzp!!!

Gamefixer you ole curmudgeon! You like Sam Neil's character on Jurassic Park? How can you work on electronics without them blowing up spontaneously? =)
 
Gamefixer you ole curmudgeon! You like Sam Neil's character on Jurassic Park? How can you work on electronics without them blowing up spontaneously? =)

Hehehe... I blow up lots of stuff. Still learning, even to this day.

Sam Neil, was he the old white haired doctor dude?

EDIT: Ah, the Anthropologist. Yeah, I liked that dude. I'm not as cynical as he was/is though.

I'm open to things that work but the two or three powered desoldering irons I've used over the years just didnt work all that well. They required too much/too often cleaning or just flat out didnt do as good of a job as the Soldapult.
 
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Found this on you tube.. removing a flyback with a Hakko 808



Looks sweet! I gotta get one now!
 
Bah... I'll stick with the old fashioned tools.

Hate to be one of only two naysayers here but thats the way it works for me.
 
As far as I am concerned, anything is better than desoldering braid. That stuff is awful. I have a manual sucker, which I love, but you guys have me intrigued with this auto one. Hell, even Ken is on here saying it is great.
 
As far as I am concerned, anything is better than desoldering braid. That stuff is awful. I have a manual sucker, which I love, but you guys have me intrigued with this auto one. Hell, even Ken is on here saying it is great.

I agree that solder braid is lame. The only thing is was good for was making ground straps. Thats before it got more expensive a while back though. I dont think I've used braid in almost 10 years.
 
I have had my 808 for a few months now and it is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone. It perfectly sucks out ALL the solder, and there is almost NO chance of ever scratching the PCB. If done correctly, the replaced chip can look like all the other factory soldered chips on the board!
 
About 5 years ago, I finally invested in a desoldering station after using braid and solder suckers for years.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-6340-/72-6340

Best money that I've ever spent on a tool.

Prior to that, I briefly had a knockoff of the Hakko 808. It worked twice, died, exchanged for another one, that one worked four times and then died...
 
Prior to that, I briefly had a knockoff of the Hakko 808. It worked twice, died, exchanged for another one, that one worked four times and then died...

Yeah, I had a knockoff one too. Same experience. Worked a few times and then the heating element died. I'm pretty sure I still have it somewhere.... If anyone wants it to fix or use for parts let me know.
 
Yeah, I had a knockoff one too. Same experience. Worked a few times and then the heating element died. I'm pretty sure I still have it somewhere.... If anyone wants it to fix or use for parts let me know.

I would like to take a look at it. Most of my new computers come from the dump as it is. PM sent.
 
I have this one that I picked up from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-Profesi...qid=1351801112&sr=8-6&keywords=rework+station

It works GREAT for small stuff, and horrid for large stuff. You have to clean the spring filter constantly even when doing just small joints. If you use it on a large bead like the ones found on power supply boards you have to let it cool and clean out the spring each time. I sprayed a bit of Pam on the inside of the filter spring and it made life easier. The sponge filter goes bad almost per use. I have been making my own replacements with replacement tip sponges and a sharpened piece of brass tube stock.

Its still WAY WAY WAY WAY better than the old way. (which I still use for large beads).

The heat gun on this unit is ok but dims the lights in my workshop when its on.

The soldering iron is a piece of shit. Any iron that doesn't use standard replacement tips is horse shit and should be jabbed in the eye of the doofus who designed it. I use my weller station for soldering anyway.
 
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