Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

[4tified]

I couldn't find anything on this, so...

I have been recapping motherboards for a few years, and have a decent Weller soldering station (WLC100) that I like alot. Easy to use and maintain. However, I am in need of a good desolder device since 98% or what I do is rework.

Radio Shack bulbs suck. They only last a week and do more damage than good. I at one time had a Hakko 808, but had to return it the next day due to needing money for unforeseen circumstances. I never got a chance to learn to use it.

Is there a cheaper alternative to the Hakko 808? I 'd prefer something that didn't need braid, as most of the work I do is through-hole, not surface mounted.

Thanks!

[delaware74b]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

I use the vacuum desoldering tool that ratshack sells for $10. It does a decent job on older single-layer boards that don't have that d***ed lead-free solder. If i'm working with lead-free, I add a little 60/40 solder to the joint and desolder it. I'm using the Weller WTCPT soldering station with the standard PTA7 (700 degrees).

[4tified]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

I use the vacuum desoldering tool that ratshack sells for $10. It does a decent job on older single-layer boards that don't have that d***ed lead-free solder. If i'm working with lead-free, I add a little 60/40 solder to the joint and desolder it. I'm using the Weller WTCPT soldering station with the standard PTA7 (700 degrees).

The problem with the RatShack desolderer is that I have gone through at least 15 of them in the past 2 years. It works great for the first 2 boards, then quickly starts to lose heat intensity with every use. I have cleaned and replaced tips like yesterday's news. What eventually ends up happening is that there is not enough heat to melt the solder, OR the tip begins to dig around the PCB, eventually damaging the tracks and leaving no place for the solder to bond.

I know this is a noobish question and I'm sure lots of people are probably skipping over this post without giving it a second thought, but this is my second income, so I have to figure out a better solution. If anyone else has any suggestions, I am all ears.

[larrymoencurly]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

Drilling out the hole of the Radio Shack solder sucker helps, but generally I haven't had very good luck with the thing. I've done better with a soldapult, and attaching a short length of silicone rubber tubing to its tip should prevent board damage when the soldapult is triggered.

As I mentioned in another thread, the Radio Shack desoldering iron works better if the voltage is increased slightly (emphasis on "slightly"), and people have made modifications like insulate the cylinder above the tip, cut the tube to the suction bulb, near the cylinder, and inserted a length of silicone tubing as a thermal break, replace the suction bulb with a soldapult, electric vacuum pump, or foot-operated tire pump modified to suck instead of blow.

The only cheaper alternatives I've seen to the Hakko 808 are a Chinese knock-off on Ebay for about $120, delivered (uses 240VAC), and some of the Blackjack brand equipment from Circuit Specialists.

[yyonline]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

I don't know about alternatives, but I can vouch for the Hakko 808 being a very nice tool. I can remove all the capacitors (or whatever else) from a board in a matter of minutes. It's not the cheapest tool, but it easily paid for itself after a few repairs just in time savings. Only complaints I have about it is that it can get a bit heavy after prolonged use (minor issue, really, it's not that often i use the thing for more than a few minutes). Also, it requires cleaning fairly frequently as the solder collector fills up after awhile and blocks airflow to the pump.

[severach]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

The Hakko 808 is about $165. I've heard of Knockoffs as low as $100. Not enough of a price difference to go cheap. The $53 per Hakko tip tends to make my eyes wander elsewhere. The Hakko tips are good. I have yet to wear out my first one.

When paired up with a regulated SMD hot air gun the Hakko snorts lead free solder very fast with much less contact time and board damage. It's great for clearing stubborn holes.

[yyonline]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

The $53 per Hakko tip tends to make my eyes wander elsewhere. The Hakko tips are good. I have yet to wear out my first one.

They are decent tips, but I just paid $14 for a replacement. If you're paying $53, might want to look elsewhere. Unless we're talking about a different part...

[4tified]

Re: Alternative to RatShack soldering bulb?

I went back to Fry's and reluctantly purchased the Hakko 808 again, now that I have a little extra money to play around with, I can keep it.

Oh my God. Now I know what all the fuss is about. I have NEVER had a tool that removed solder from every single through-hole capacitor I've replaced. Usually I end up almost damaging the tracks or having to remove excess solder with a steel needle. Thanks for pushing me towards the Hakko, it has already paid for itself twice over!

Board rework is actually fun again!