Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

[jayjr1105]

I've been eyeing this thing up for years but could never justify the cost. I'm doing more console modding and repairs so I finally bit. I don't have it yet but wondering others opinions. I'll not be surprised to hear "you should have bought X instead". Unlike the hundreds of decent Hakko soldering iron clones, I didn't feel the chinese desoldering clones came anywhere near this unit.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

It's simply great!
I got one a while ago too, some jobs are just too easy now with it!

[jayjr1105]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

It's simply great!
I got one a while ago too, some jobs are just too easy now with it!

Any tips? Usage or maintenance.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

It seems pretty simple, you do need to take care of the buildup of crud inside it.
But there are tools included with that, you will notice it because the vacuum becomes much less effective...

[jayjr1105]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

It seems pretty simple, you do need to take care of the buildup of crud inside it.
But there are tools included with that, you will notice it because the vacuum becomes much less effective...

How about tips and filters? I thought about getting one of the larger tips in addition to the 1mm that comes with so I can do bigger ground lugs and such. Does it come with enough filters for a years worth of use or so?

[stj]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

lol
all these companies kill you on the cost of filters.

make your own with A4 sheet material and a chinese leather punch of the correct diameter.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

How about tips and filters? I thought about getting one of the larger tips in addition to the 1mm that comes with so I can do bigger ground lugs and such. Does it come with enough filters for a years worth of use or so?

There was a filter or two included I believe, whether that lasts for a year or not would depend allot on usage I'd say
Yea I did get the 4mm x 1mm tip (N61-16) as well, that is very useful for larger contacts.

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

Tips and filter are the most two consumables are used on these devices and you should have them on hand also get in the habit of using the tube cleaning rod each time you are about to turn off the unit for the day this is extremely important to do on constantly base’s or you will have to drill open the suction tube if you do not do this every time before you turn it off for the day this has to with the flux in the solder

[stj]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

one very important thing,
DO NOT ADD FLUX TO THE JOINTS.
the pump will pull it in and it will line and clog the tube and also mess up the filter.

[redwire]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

They are susceptible to clogging with solder cooling down in the heating element's tube. You have to use the wire poker, especially with lead-free solders, as a habit.
A few times I've taken out the filter cartridge and poked in reverse, at the vacuum side to push out a broken pin that got pulled in.

If it doesn't work well, your technique needs to change or improve:
Some people hold the vacuum on for too short a time period, leaving some solder in the tube, not long enough to suck it into the filter.
Some people hit the vacuum too soon, before the solder joint is heated up and flowed through to the PC board's other side.
I've seen people wiggle the tip too much and trash the pads. Or not hold the tip flush with the board, so you get a tiny vacuum leak because it's crooked.
If a board has too little factory solder, not enough to really desolder then add solder to the pins first.
For boards with DIP IC's sometimes I put a soldering iron tip on the ICs pins on the top side of the board to melt top layer solder, with the Hakko on the other side of the board I hit the vacuum. When you need a lot of heat for the power pins.

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

They are susceptible to clogging with solder cooling down in the heating element's tube. You have to use the wire poker, especially with lead-free solders, as a habit.
A few times I've taken out the filter cartridge and poked in reverse, at the vacuum side to push out a broken pin that got pulled in.

If it doesn't work well, your technique needs to change or improve:
Some people hold the vacuum on for too short a time period, leaving some solder in the tube, not long enough to suck it into the filter.
Some people hit the vacuum too soon, before the solder joint is heated up and flowed through to the PC board's other side.
I've seen people wiggle the tip too much and trash the pads. Or not hold the tip flush with the board, so you get a tiny vacuum leak because it's crooked.
If a board has too little factory solder, not enough to really desolder then add solder to the pins first.
For boards with DIP IC's sometimes I put a soldering iron tip on the ICs pins on the top side of the board to melt top layer solder, with the Hakko on the other side of the board I hit the vacuum. When you need a lot of heat for the power pins.

These are very good tips about how to avoid clogging up the tip

[CapLeaker]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

I've got one of the FR-301 desoldering guns for quite a few years now. Still works like a champ and besides changing a filter here and there everything original. Very good product.

[stj]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

as the owner of a pump-in-base type,
a couple of questions i'v wondered for a while.
1: is it heavy?
2: does it vibrate in your hand to a degree that would be an issue with prolonged use?

[jayjr1105]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

as the owner of a pump-in-base type,
a couple of questions i'v wondered for a while.
1: is it heavy?
2: does it vibrate in your hand to a degree that would be an issue with prolonged use?

1. surprisingly no
2. not really

[eccerr0r]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

TBH I'd rather pull the trigger than bite the bullet.

Sorry had to make this comment...

[clearchris]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

I have a chinese one, and I love it. Takes some time to heat up, but once it hits temp it works well. Sometimes you need to add a bit of pb solder to the joint, but when you pull the trigger and hear the slurp... nothing better than that.

[redwire]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

I think the long hose/base desoldering stations make up for the pressure drop with the larger vac pump and extra vacuum solenoid valve for crisp suction.
My Hakko 470 is amazing for heat, it's rated 50W but I use it for soldering too lol.
Really makes the T12 and 888 look bad, now that I know what good heat is like.
My fav is the tip with 1mm hole, fits most caps.

[clearchris]

Re: Finally bit the bullet on the Hakko FR301

Yeah, it has been years since I opened up my desoldering gun base, but the pump is about fist sized. It's not small, and I have no lack of suction. The base is a bit oversized for what's in there, but I'm pretty sure the same housing fits a desolder gun / soldering iron combo station also.