De-soldering tool - opinions please

[WaveyDipole]

I am in the market for a better de-soldering tool. I have one of these spring loaded solder sucker tools, but although its fine with 60/40 solder for most part, it is very difficult to work with that on lead-free solder. There is just a split second between removing the soldering iron and applying the pump which seems to be enough time for lead-free solder partially solidify so is therefore rarely cleanly removed. ideally, it seems, you need to apply heat and the sucker at the same time which does not work well as they usually get in the way of each other.

So, anyway, I thought of getting one of these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140W-Desoldering-Station-Iron-Gun-230V-Vacuum-Professional-Removal-ESD/142898440603
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150W-Desoldering-Rework-Iron-Station-Digital-De-Soldering-Gun-Dual-LCD-UK/122851753561

It seems from comments on other threads that some members have used these successfully. However, I noticed that although the item 1 is described as a 140W de-soldering gun, when you look at the close-up of the gun handle it says 90W. So which is it? Or, looking at the second item, maybe its 150W or as per description perhaps 200W! I'm guessing, of course, that the heating element is as stated on the gun - 90W, but the unit consumes 140W because of conversion losses and it also has a motor to provide suction power.

There is also this type of thing:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-993A-220V-Electric-Vacuum-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Soldering-Iron-Desoldering-Gun/332775248438
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-S-998P-220V-100W-Electric-Vacuum-Double-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Desoldering-Gun/262869880291

This item is apparently rated at 100W. I can't make out the writing on the gun handle but a look at the specs shows 100W power consumption, power 10W? Is that 10W of heating only? I don't like this option as its connected directly to the mains, must have a smaller motor in the handle for suction, the gun probably weighs more and I expect the temerature regulation is probably pretty crude. It also costs as much as the first option has more power and which is apparently ESD safe.

So before I spend my money, does anyone have one of the desoldering tools in the first two links? How do they perform. I need to do some work on PC power supplies which can have some fairly hefty joints that take some heating. Any opinions appreciated.

[TheBay]

I am in the market for a better de-soldering tool. I have one of these spring loaded solder sucker tools, but although its fine with 60/40 solder for most part, it is very difficult to work with that on lead-free solder. There is just a split second between removing the soldering iron and applying the pump which seems to be enough time for lead-free solder partially solidify so is therefore rarely cleanly removed. ideally, it seems, you need to apply heat and the sucker at the same time which does not work well as they usually get in the way of each other.

So, anyway, I thought of getting one of these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140W-Desoldering-Station-Iron-Gun-230V-Vacuum-Professional-Removal-ESD/142898440603
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150W-Desoldering-Rework-Iron-Station-Digital-De-Soldering-Gun-Dual-LCD-UK/122851753561

It seems from comments on other threads that some members have used these successfully. However, I noticed that although the item 1 is described as a 140W de-soldering gun, when you look at the close-up of the gun handle it says 90W. So which is it? Or, looking at the second item, maybe its 150W or as per description perhaps 200W! I'm guessing, of course, that the heating element is as stated on the gun - 90W, but the unit consumes 140W because of conversion losses and it also has a motor to provide suction power.

There is also this type of thing:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-993A-220V-Electric-Vacuum-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Soldering-Iron-Desoldering-Gun/332775248438
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-S-998P-220V-100W-Electric-Vacuum-Double-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Desoldering-Gun/262869880291

This item is apparently rated at 100W. I can't make out the writing on the gun handle but a look at the specs shows 100W power consumption, power 10W? Is that 10W of heating only? I don't like this option as its connected directly to the mains, must have a smaller motor in the handle for suction, the gun probably weighs more and I expect the temerature regulation is probably pretty crude. It also costs as much as the first option has more power and which is apparently ESD safe.

So before I spend my money, does anyone have one of the desoldering tools in the first two links? How do they perform. I need to do some work on PC power supplies which can have some fairly hefty joints that take some heating. Any opinions appreciated.

I bought the top unit a few days ago from the same seller, works very well. It's a ZD-8915. It's imported for them directly and badged Katsu, comes with a decent mains cable and has warranty support in the UK from the seller.

The gun is 90W, ignore all the other wattages quoted for all these devices as they are meaningless. And the gun is more then powerful enough, the popular ZD-915/985 use a 80W gun and they work well. This is an updated version of those units and has a better designed gun and different heating element.

Also I can confirm it's the ESD model with the 7 pin gun with sleep, both of those are optional if you buy it as a ZD-8915.

[WaveyDipole]

Thank you. That is helpful to know someone else has used one and is happy with it.

[stj]

cpc is selling the 915 for 49.99+vat

[TheBay]

cpc is selling the 915 for 49.99+vat

Can only see the Duratool version here and thats £69.95+Vat?

[WaveyDipole]

Ditto here. I found the "Duratool" branded 915 tool, exactly the same as the itsa-fuji-satsuma branded ones on eBay at 64.95 + VAT = 83.94 total. Came up in the Rework Stations section rather than De-Soldering Tools. Didn't see anything for 49.99 in either section. Guess it was a listing error that has now been corrected or a limited time deal which has now been and gone.

BTW, just looked up the ZD-8915 and those cost between 113.98 and 154.60. This Katsu at 79.99 looks identical. I take it that this is the same as with the Hakko or the Atten 858D clones? Looks the same, smells the same, but price varies depending on the branding (or lack thereof) on the front?

[TheBay]

Ditto here. I found the "Duratool" branded 915 tool, exactly the same as the itsa-fuji-satsuma branded ones on eBay at 64.95 + VAT = 83.94 total. Came up in the Rework Stations section rather than De-Soldering Tools. Didn't see anything for 49.99 in either section. Guess it was a listing error that has now been corrected or a limited time deal which has now been and gone.

BTW, just looked up the ZD-8915 and those cost between 113.98 and 154.60. This Katsu at 79.99 looks identical. I take it that this is the same as with the Hakko or the Atten 858D clones? Looks the same, smells the same, but price varies depending on the branding (or lack thereof) on the front?

It is a ZD-8915, but the highest model they do with ESD and Sleep function, it comes in a ZD-8915 box.
The only difference is a Katsu Sticker on the back, UK support and a better quality UK mains cable.
Katsu seems to be a brand of Aim Tools, who are the seller of this product, so must have these imported directly to them.

This is the best version of all the ZD Desoldering stations in my opinion, has a more powerful gun with a much thinner barrel and a better stand.
It's also the cheapest in the UK currently.

[frozenfrogz]

I also bought one of those ZD style 140W de-soldering stations from tme.eu and it has plenty of power. In reality 80W should suffice for most jobs unless you are dealing with insanely large ground planes. Pre-heating is slowish on the 140W and I suspect it to take even longer on the 80W unit, but that is compared to my tiny Ersa I-tool and me being impatient.

One thing to keep in mind: It is hard to find replacement parts. I broke the heat-isolating mount for the hot end (the part attaching the metal to the plastic handle) and ended up buying a complete replacement gun instead of a suitable spare part.

Also, the cold part of the internal metal tubing tends to clog up if you do not vacuum enough after lifting the nozzle from the part / pcb. Unclogging is no fun.
All in all I would buy another one if it broke and could not be fixed - unless I have funds for something more professional.

[WaveyDipole]

Well the deed is done! I've purchased the 8915. Will hopefully report back how I got on when it arrives.

[Gyro]

...
Also, the cold part of the internal metal tubing tends to clog up if you do not vacuum enough after lifting the nozzle from the part / pcb. Unclogging is no fun.
...

The 'easy' fix for that is to run a length of thick copper wire, eg. UHF coax inner down the tube rather than the steel cleaning rods. Their thermal conductivity isn't high enough to melt the blockage. Don't forget to use pliers! 

[TheBay]

...
Also, the cold part of the internal metal tubing tends to clog up if you do not vacuum enough after lifting the nozzle from the part / pcb. Unclogging is no fun.
...

The 'easy' fix for that is to run a length of thick copper wire, eg. UHF coax inner down the tube rather than the steel cleaning rods. Their thermal conductivity isn't high enough to melt the blockage. Don't forget to use pliers! 

Ah another ham the username gives it away.

[frozenfrogz]

Using copper wire is one way, however after learning the hard way to use the cleaning rod often and listening to the sound of the vacuum pump, the huge mess of a full "thrombosis" can usually be prevented.

[sleemanj]

it seems, you need to apply heat and the sucker at the same time which does not work well as they usually get in the way of each other.

Either cut a notch in the tip of the sucker so the end of the tip of the iron just fits under it, or add a short bit of silicone tube (3mm ID is what I use) which will deform around the iron tip.  Either solution works well.

[stj]

Hellerman sleeving.
size H30X25

[seanspotatobusiness]

Hellerman sleeving.
size H30X25

Do those sleeves not burn and leave some kind of residue on the soldering iron when heated to ~300 °C?

[stj]

no, they just slowly harden and eventually crack.

[WaveyDipole]

I have had the 8915 for a few months now and have used it on a number of projects. It made light work of removing capacitors from a densely PC power supply board. It also made it easy to cleanly remove through the hole ICs or ribbon cables. I have not noticed any clogging as has been reported although I find that it does sometimes struggle to supply enough heat to some of the larger joints or where the component is connected to the ground plane, which of course would act as a heatsink. Overall it has been very useful, making it easy to accomplish de-soldering tasks that would otherwise have been a struggle with a soldering iron and hand pump. It does what it is meant to and I am very pleased with it.

I am intrigues about the silicon tube idea and will give that a try as well.

[Kasper]

I have always found good quality wick to be the fastest and easiest way to remove solder.