RE: [AH] Looking for desoldering station

From Lorne Hammond
Sent Sat, Mar 10th 2018, 18:15

Hakko would have been my preference. Used industrial stations worry me =
because its hard to tell how used/plugged/parts issues.
And they are not cheap so lower grade new has an appeal. I dont want to =
receive someones boat anchor with hazardous disposal recycling issues.

Lorne=20

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx@xxxx.xxx [mailto:xxxxx@xxxx.xxx]=20
Sent: March-10-18 9:43 AM
To: David Bivins <xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx; Analog Heaven <xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [AH] Looking for desoldering station

After many years of thinking about it, I gave in and got a used Hakko, =
and after using it the first time instantly regretted not having gotten =
it much earlier. I replaced all the tantalum caps in an Omni using it, =
something like 80 caps, which I never could have done using my old pump =
style gun or solder wick.  Much faster, much more effective, and even =
though I don't do a significant amount of repairs or mods if it broke I =
would get another immediately.


Mark=20

> Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 1:35 PM
> From: "David Bivins" <xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
> To: xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx
> Cc: "Analog Heaven" <xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
> Subject: Re: [AH] Looking for desoldering station
>
> Thanks Steve and Giles - exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for.
>=20
> Hi Mitch - the "much more time involved" is the problem. I have=20
> several DIY projects in the pipeline and I also would like time to=20
> make music. I have a few hours a week for any and all of that. I've=20
> been through reels of soldering wick and two hand-held pumps. I know =
the drill.
>=20
> Take care,
>=20
> David
>=20
> On Sat, Mar 10, 2018 at 7:04 AM, Steve Lenham <xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
> wrote:
>=20
> > On 10/03/2018 01:42, David Bivins wrote:
> >
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> I'm about to undertake removing all the switches from a CR-8000 and =

> >> think I need to take my relationship with tech gear to the next=20
> >> step and get a desoldering station...
> >> Also any advice is welcome. Again, I don't think I would use it=20
> >> that often; usually I use a hand pump or copper solder wick for =
one-offs.
> >>
> >
> > I use one of these:
> >
> > https://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/aoyue-2702a-pcb-work-station.html
> >
> > You may say that it is cheap Chinese rubbish, and you wouldn't be=20
> > wrong, BUT I have been using it for many years now and it has seen=20
> > off recapping/reswitching/etc. many dozens of vintage synths and=20
> > effects including the 900+ electrolytic caps in a classic Chilton =
mixer.
> >
> > The soldering iron and desoldering gun work well, but I have never=20
> > had any joy with the hot air gun. The desoldering tips used to have=20
> > an annoyingly short life because they were made from a soft alloy=20
> > and the hole used to grow rapidly until it became unusable, but they =

> > have recently redesigned them with a harder tip insert and I haven't =
had to replace one since.
> >
> > If I was buying now, I would pay a little more for the newer 2703A =
model:
> >
> > https://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/aoyue-2703a-cpu-controlled-p
> > cb-work-station.html
> >
> > because you can use the soldering iron and desoldering gun=20
> > simultaneously rather than having to choose one or the other.
> >
> > Hope this helps a bit.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Steve L.
> > Benden Sound Technology
> >
>