Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

[BigAlNZ]

I was thinking about getting one of these.

http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?PID=838&Page=1

or maybe even the Hakko 850 rework station, but I think it might be SMD only?

Are they any good? How quicky can you remove a cap? Does it leave a nice clean hole?

How quick is it?

Cheers

-Al

[severach]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

I never found any spring or bulb desoldering tools to work well. The motorized vacuum pump connected to the heat source was the first tool that really made the solder move. It makes a lot of work fast and easy that otherwise would be impossible.

Good solder pulls easily and the hole is clear and with a little care there is no board scuffing. Because the gun is trapped on the terminal there is less risk of burning yourself. Some solder is difficult to pull though it may be because I don't use any flux. Terminals soldered to ground planes are difficult to desolder though it may be because I keep mine on the lowest setting for long tip life. Adding heat to the other side with another iron is much more effective.

Once the part is removed you can use a regulated iron at the lowest setting (392*F, 200*C) with a pointed tip in conjunction with the Hakko 808 to clear through holes of any size. Two irons heat fast to minimize board damage.

Though the directions warn against it, the Hakko 808 makes an excellent soldering tool.

If you discover that Hakko 808 tips are shockingly expensive some Aoyue tips are compatible. I haven't used any of my Aoyue tips to find out how well they are made. The Hakko tip looks like it will last forever.

The supplied tip is a bit too small to fit over some common parts. This is only a problem when the tip is new. As it is used it will open up. You will eventually plug the tip with something solid that the Hakko ram rod can't remove. Drilling the tip will remove the obstruction and the tip will become wider. Have a set of tiny drills handy.

[BigAlNZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Ill take that as a thumbs up for the 808?

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

I've looked at the 808 and thought about getting one.
Then I got my hands on an old Pace Desoldering Station which it the same setup as I used in the Navy and works fine for me.
It does the same thing except the pump is connected to the hand tool by way of tubing your arm isn't holding the weight of the pump all the time.

Without having tried one I'd still give the 808 a thumbs up based on reviews I've seen on it.

Shop around though.
I've seen it occasionally [somewhere] for under $175.
I think Frys Electronics carries them....
.

[bgavin]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

I have no experience with these, but am finding an increasing need to quickly and accurately clean the holes. Especially when fitting the polyers with thicker leads.

A foot pedal activated sucker would sure be handy...

[NxB]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

$5 Radio shack sucker works pretty well for me on bigger stuff that's a pain to mop up. It leaves the holes clean as well. Otherwise its braid and iron. Its probably nice and convenient but for $200+, oh my. Aoyue probably has a cheaper clone too. I know their 3 in one station has a weak pump and clogs up the little solder tank so I would see if they have a dedicated gun like the hakko.

Ultimately the decision comes down to how much volume you pull. If it can pay itself on the time you save fixing stuff then I would get it. An ebay BGA rework is $400 and would get a faster return on laptop boards and xboxes. But if your drowning in boards...

[KeriJane]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Hello.

Funny you should mention the Hakko 808 desolder gun...

I just bought one last week! I was going to write a review on it soon, but now is OK too.

I got one with the optional plastic case. It comes with an extra plastic solder reservoir, some filter pads and some metal shields. There is also a wrench for removing the tip, two cleaning rods and a handy high temperature sleeve to stick the tip in so you can put it away before it completely cools down.

A quick look reveals a few things:
1-- The tip heater is on whenever it is plugged in so you must unplug it when not in use.
2-The only switch is the trigger button that turns on the vacuum pump.
3-There is a recessed temperature control that you adjust with a screwdriver. The manual indicates that multi-layer boards require the most heat.
4-The tip wrench unscrews the barrel which retains the tip.
5-The solder reservoir is an acrylic tube open at one end and having a metal shield and rubber seal at the other. The filter pad fits into the spring loaded plunger that holds the tube in place.
6- It is supplied with one 1.0mm tip and matching cleaning rod. Other sizes are available.

The Hakko 808 is a bit heavy to hold and grows a bit warm during use. During operation you are advised to contact only the solder and component lead, not the circuit trace. This done, the solder melts rapidly, you press the trigger and the solder gets sucked into the tip, passes through the hollow heater and enters the reservoir tube and strikes the metal shield.

If a clog occurs, the pump stops. The pump sounds suspiciously like an aquarium pump but really it's a two-chamber vacuum pump that you can easily look at by taking off the rear cover.


For desoldering single-sided PSU boards, it's perfect. Zap, the hole is clean in a second or so. Just pull the now loose cap out cold.

For desoldering multi-layered motherboards, I found that I usually have to add a little solder first. Sometimes it pulls the solder out perfect on the first try, other times it needs a little effort.
It's ALWAYS way easier than either the Radio Shack bulb sucker or the fingernail-breaking spring-loaded solder sucker contraption from Hades.

The manual is written for the soldering professional and contains a full parts list, repair instructions, calibration procedure, recommended desolder techniques and temperature settings. This is NOT an idiot-proof consumer-level disposable toy and is well worth the price of admission.

This is my first Hakko product and I'm impressed. The only things I don't care for is the fact that the handle eventually warms up a bit during use and the lack of a Power switch.
The quality seems better than my Weller soldering irons, so maybe I'll try a Hakko station sometime.

Have Fun!
Bzzzz! There goes another BadCap!
Keri

PS. Wow! it's the Mac Pro of soldering equipment! (ducks)

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

A foot pedal activated sucker would sure be handy...

The Pace units are foot activated. [At least those I've used.]
It is indeed a great feature!
.

[bgavin]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Wow! it's the Mac Pro of soldering equipment! (ducks)

Damn, darlin' we're gonna have to smack that Mac-shit out of you...

( big grin )




I bought the Hakko 936 station for about $75 USD.
I'm seriously impressed with the quality of the unit.
If they make a foot pedal operated sucky-thingy, all the better.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

I bought the Hakko 936 station for about $75 USD.

I have 3 Hakko 926's which are the previous generation of the same thing.
I picked them up used in a box with 5 handsets and cables for $30.
Pretty beat up and ugly but they work fine.
.

[BigAlNZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

I got a 936 and love it.

Thanks for the review of the 808. I will have to look at these pace units too.

-Al

[ratdude747]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

i have the basic spring-powered solder sucker. i use it with my xytronic soldering iron. cost me a total of 25 bucks. the trick is to add some silver-bearing solder to the hole, thrn suck all of it out. the silver solder makes the existing solder melt better and suck out cleaner. who needs a fancy pump or de-soldering iron?

sounds stupid, but i do this whenever the iron + sucker doesn't do it. also, the extra solder give more area to contact the iron. i swear this works.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Oh ratdude, you just opened yourself up to flaming fireballs from the peanut gallery.

There's a BUNCH of people here that absolutely hate those things.

If you 'have the nack' for them, get a good one and use it right those things do work well.
Problem is many people either get a bad one, aren't coordinated enough, or don't learn how to use them right [or all of the above] and they end up sucking out via's or banging it into the work when it recoils.

.

[BigAlNZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Also, would the 808 be any good for removing ROM chips from HDD PCB's, or is it another tool all together for that?

[ratdude747]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

yeah, but what if you have no MONEY?

[KeriJane]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Also, would the 808 be any good for removing ROM chips from HDD PCB's, or is it another tool all together for that?

Hi BiggAINZ

You mean the Surface Mount Device (SMD) chips on the bottom side of HDD's?

The Hakko 808 isn't really designed for SMT/SMD removal though you can suck the solder off of the simpler ones with it.

What is meant for that is a SMD, SMT or BGA rework station. Those use hot air or infrared light to heat the solder without contact.

Just google "SMD Rework" or "BGA rework"

Have fun,
Keri

[KeriJane]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

yeah, but what if you have no MONEY?

Hi Ratdude!

YOU
ARE
ON
THE
RIGHT TRACK!

To make some money, that is. Serious, "nice" money. (no, not Filthy Rich, but "nice")

Right now, consumer electronics are not worth fixing. Cheap Chinese Slave Labor combined with modern production and distribution methods have reduced the cost of new stuff below that of repair costs.

That has not always been the case, nor is it likely to continue for long.

This, combined with a couple of generations of people that are used to our throwaway society leaves Y O U as a Fixer of Things in a strong position for the long term.

Continue studying the basic principles of EVERYTHING .
Continue practicing Repair and especially Diagnosis. Get to know the Why and Wheretofor AND what to do about it.

The current crop of people willing to throw out all manner of fixable technology gives you a golden opportunity to Learn and Practice.

Upon these basic Principles you can make a Steady Income.
and, incidentally buy that Hakko or Tektronix or AnaTec or SunMoon (or even KeriProductions!) thing or other.


Happy FIFTH of July,
Keri

PS. Do you know what Computers used to cost in the mid 1990's? I do.
A "Cheap" i486SX with minimal memory and no Math Co-Processor was roughly $2,000. Anything DECENT was $2,500 or $3,000.
People (including me) made a LOT less money back then too.

PPS> If you can master the Pogo Stick From Hades style of solder sucker, Great! I prefer the softer touch of the Radio Shack bulb sucker or the convenient Hakko pump sucker.

[ratdude747]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

i dont like the bulb. i like the pogo stick because i can cock it, wait fir the oint to liquidfy, and wham, join cleared. use thumb to recock and continue.

also, the bulbs are a pain in the ass to clean, right?

[NxB]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

The bulbs make a mess. I usually blow the solder on the floor. The spring type is ok. I don't like that I have to keep re-cocking it.

[BigAlNZ]

Re: Hakko 808-5 desolder gun

Hi BiggAINZ

You mean the Surface Mount Device (SMD) chips on the bottom side of HDD's?

The Hakko 808 isn't really designed for SMT/SMD removal though you can suck the solder off of the simpler ones with it.

What is meant for that is a SMD, SMT or BGA rework station. Those use hot air or infrared light to heat the solder without contact.

Just google "SMD Rework" or "BGA rework"

Have fun,
Keri

Yeah, although the ROM chips are generally biggish compared to some of the very fine SMD stuff.

Thanks for that detailed review on the 808 too.