Vaccum desoldering station recommendation

[Southerner]

I would love to get a Pace or Metcal or even a Hakko but they are out of my budget.

I have not seen them very cheap even on the used scene or ebay.

I even tried to purchase a Star Tec but they do not make them for use in the USA.

I have pieces of things.  I have a Weller DS1000 and a WD2000 vacuum unit but no iron or vacuum chamber or foot pedal for them and have not had much luck finding one on ebay or the used market.

For that reason I am thinking about the Aoyue 474++ or the 701A+.   I am leaning toward the 701A more because it is a soldering station as well as a desoldering station.  I do not need or want a rework station.  I am hoping that the 701 is of decent quality to mimmick the Hakko 701 that it is cloned from.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thank you.

[BradC]

It says in the instructions not to let it dry out, as suction will be impaired.

Replace it with the Genuine Hakko "ceramic" equivalent filter and never worry about it again. As a bonus the Hakko filters actually filter stuff.

[BradC]

I am hoping that the 701 is of decent quality to mimmick the Hakko 701 that it is cloned from.

It's not great out of the box (or wasn't back when I bought mine). The desoldering tips have improved a bit since I bought mine though (I got some Aoyue new ones a couple of years ago). I gave mine a birthday and I'm pretty happy with it as a daily driver now.

My list :
- Replace all O-rings including the missing one from the input port on the base.
- Replace the soldering iron tip with a Genuine Hakko
- Dismantle and re-assemble the pump with neutral cure silicone sealant on all gaskets.
- Dismantle the desoldering handpiece and remove/block the vacuum indicator. It's useless *and* it leaks.
- Replace the filters, tube, seal and spring on the desoldering handpiece with Hakko parts
- Make an adapter to use Hakko tips on the desoldering gun.

Once I did that I saw a quantum leap in usability for the desoldering gun. The soldering iron has been fine with a Hakko tip on it.
The Hakko desoldering tips are so much better than the Aoyue tips it just isn't funny.

[rauloliv]

I have the 710 unit. The best thing about it having cross compatible parts from other brands.

I think the design changed from the first units like mine, but my experience (heavy use) with the stock gun:
The tips are horrible, just wont last (the wider are worse). The vaccum indicator leaks. The heater element barrel joint to the gun is week and breaks. Filters are not good and flux residues enter the pump.

I rebuilt mine with some parts from Quick/ Hakko / Thomas, works great and i use it everyday all the time!

[Southerner]

My list :
- Replace all O-rings including the missing one from the input port on the base.
- Replace the soldering iron tip with a Genuine Hakko
- Dismantle and re-assemble the pump with neutral cure silicone sealant on all gaskets.
- Dismantle the desoldering handpiece and remove/block the vacuum indicator. It's useless *and* it leaks.
- Replace the filters, tube, seal and spring on the desoldering handpiece with Hakko parts
- Make an adapter to use Hakko tips on the desoldering gun.

Once I did that I saw a quantum leap in usability for the desoldering gun. The soldering iron has been fine with a Hakko tip on it.
The Hakko desoldering tips are so much better than the Aoyue tips it just isn't funny.

Do you by chance have the Hakko part numbers you used?  What does the Hakko tip adapter look like?

Some of the things you mention are the very things that concerned me about the quality of the Auyou 701 unit.

Thank you.

[BradC]

Do you by chance have the Hakko part numbers you used?  What does the Hakko tip adapter look like?

- Filter in the base - A1009 - Replaced by A1611
- Filter in the gun - A1033
- Filter pipe assembly (tube, spring, seal) - B2073 - Replaced by B3756
- Spring filter separately - A1030
- Tips - A1002 - 0.8mm /1003 - 1.0mm /1007 - 1.6mm

Adapter : https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aoyue-desoldering-tips/msg534046/#msg534046

I originally bought all those components at RS, but they only carry the two filters and the tips now. The filter pipe wasn't a huge upgrade, although the Hakko one is made of a nicer material, finished better (and consequently seals better on both ends). The Hakko springs are much better though. Luckily I bought a pack of 10 along with the new filter pipe.

After a quick search, I see the filter pipe (with original part number) and spring filters are available at Element14.

The biggest improvements were :
- Re-sealing the pump. The Aoyue plastic moulding sealing surfaces are nasty, and the gasket doesn't seal all that well.
- New filters and an O-ring on the filter holder in the base (it didn't come with one at all).
- Removing / plugging the vacuum indicator in the handle.
- Tips. The Hakko tips are so much nicer than the Aoyue ones it's just not funny. I have zero issues paying $25 per tip for the improvement.

I always wanted to try and fit the genuine Hakko heating element to remove the need for the tip adapter, but never quite got around to looking into it. The Aouye heater is a 4 wire (heat/sensor) the Hakko is a 2 wire, so a completely different control methodology.

I'd much rather have bought a second hand Hakko unit, but in Aus they just don't come up that often and if they do people are asking silly prices. This cost me about $150 new + ~$150 worth of Hakko parts plus time. I never object to having to spend money if it means I can justify time in front of the lathe.

[Southerner]

Do you by chance have the Hakko part numbers you used?  What does the Hakko tip adapter look like?

- Filter in the gun - A1033

I was trying to find a source in the USA for those parts.  DuckDuckGo gave me a page from HakkoUSA and it says that part A1033 is now: A5044          Ceramic Filter for FR-410, FR-300, 472D and 808

I found one source listing 2 parts but for $22 in parts shipping was $23.

I tried Element14 or rather Newark but they listed no Hakko parts in stock and the 3 they listed are listed as discontinued.

[BravoV]

Becareful when buying Hakko parts, as they're easy to counterfeit, it has only a clear plastic and a simple printed label, example of my Hakko's parts when I repair my old 474, these are genuine parts.

[Southerner]

Becareful when buying Hakko parts, as they're easy to counterfeit, it has only a clear plastic and a simple printed label, example of my Hakko's parts when I repair my old 474, these are genuine parts.

I placed my order with HakkoUSA so hopefully they are ot counterfeit.  I did think it interesting that the one page errata sheet I mentioned also listed the A1009 as being replaced by the A1611 but HakkoUSA had no such part.  They were/are still selling the A1009 and do not list the A1611.  I saw a one item on Amazon but the price was more tha Hakko's.

Thank you.

[BradC]

I was trying to find a source in the USA for those parts.  DuckDuckGo gave me a page from HakkoUSA and it says that part A1033 is now: A5044          Ceramic Filter for FR-410, FR-300, 472D and 808

Yes, the A1009 is replaced by A1611 and the A1033 is replaced by A5044. Both of those come in packets of 10, so if they are genuine Hakko filters you are buying 10.

The A1611 & A1033 are both available from Radiospares. I have no idea where you'd look for them in the US, but I'd assume there are Hakko dealers. Both new part numbers are current, as is the B3756 filter pipe. I couldn't find that, but I did find the older B2073 at Element14.

They are all for older machines, so the parts will get harder and harder to find. I should probably buy another set of A1033 filters while they are still available, but I have enough springs to last me a lifetime (I've had to replace one in 8 years and that was due to my damaging it getting a chunk of solder out). I've used a few A1033 filters, but I'm still on my first A1009 also.

[helius]

You can find nearly all Hakko products and spare parts at TEquipment.net. They also continue to list discontinued part numbers and their replacement parts if possible.

[BravoV]

I placed my order with HakkoUSA so hopefully they are ot counterfeit.  I did think it interesting that the one page errata sheet I mentioned also listed the A1009 as being replaced by the A1611 but HakkoUSA had no such part.  They were/are still selling the A1009 and do not list the A1611.  I saw a one item on Amazon but the price was more tha Hakko's.

If you watch closely the label of A1009 in above photo, it was manufactured in 2016, that photos were taken last year when I bought them. I'm guessing Hakko USA still has plenty of A1009 in their warehouse, and the new designated A1611 will be ordered once the A1009 is completely gone. 

Its just different label anyway, with the same exact merchandise, cmiiw.

When I talked to the local Hakko representative last year, they mentioned that Hakko HQ always try to supply old parts if there is still a significant request for it, like my ancient 474, almost all parts even the non consumable ones are still available. 

[Southerner]

- Filter in the base - A1009 - Replaced by A1611
- Filter in the gun - A1033
- Filter pipe assembly (tube, spring, seal) - B2073 - Replaced by B3756
- Spring filter separately - A1030
- Tips - A1002 - 0.8mm /1003 - 1.0mm /1007 - 1.6mm

Adapter : https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aoyue-desoldering-tips/msg534046/#msg534046

I always wanted to try and fit the genuine Hakko heating element to remove the need for the tip adapter, but never quite got around to looking into it. The Aouye heater is a 4 wire (heat/sensor) the Hakko is a 2 wire, so a completely different control methodology.

I'd much rather have bought a second hand Hakko unit, but in Aus they just don't come up that often and if they do people are asking silly prices. This cost me about $150 new + ~$150 worth of Hakko parts plus time. I never object to having to spend money if it means I can justify time in front of the lathe.

I received the Aoyue 701A and most of the list of Hakko parts you suggested.  The Aoyue manual listed a packing list but does not show what  each item was (or where it went).  Also there are two Hakko filters you list with the statement that one went in the gun.  Where in the gun does it go?  The filter pipe assembly (Aoyue) has what looks like a piece of cork for a filter.  How long does that last?

You mention your adapter.  What is the copper tube that goes into the desoldering tip called?  Is it part of the heating element or just a pathway tube?

Thank you.

[BradC]

I received the Aoyue 701A and most of the list of Hakko parts you suggested.  The Aoyue manual listed a packing list but does not show what  each item was (or where it went).  Also there are two Hakko filters you list with the statement that one went in the gun.  Where in the gun does it go?  The filter pipe assembly (Aoyue) has what looks like a piece of cork for a filter.  How long does that last?

You mention your adapter.  What is the copper tube that goes into the desoldering tip called?  Is it part of the heating element or just a pathway tube?

Thank you.

If you look at this image. The one on top is the Aoyue tip. It's a slab of something vaguely related to copper with what appears to be a steel tube pressed into it. That slides into the gun where the tip butts up against the heating element and the tube slides right through it and pokes out into the collection tube. The turned adapter slips into the Hakko tip and presents the same interface to the gun. I used the tube pulled from another Aoyue tip to save me bothering to try and find something compatible.

Rumour has it the Aoyue 701 (no A) was based on the original Hakko design, but the tube in the heater kept clogging, so they fitted the tube to the tip instead so it was replaceable as a unit without damaging the heater.



As for the filter location, perhaps page 25 of the attached pdf might make it clearer. It goes in the back of the filter pipe. Mine came with what looked like a bit of dish sponge cut into a circle with the instructions to keep it wet. I assume that's because it burns pretty easily when it's dry. It was useless.

If you look at the base on page 24. The other filter is item 2. Item 4 is an o-ring to seal that adapter. My Aoyue came without one, and I just grabbed the nearest available size from an O-ring kit to replace it with. That helped the ultimate vacuum quite a bit.

[Southerner]

If you look at the base on page 24. The other filter is item 2. Item 4 is an o-ring to seal that adapter. My Aoyue came without one, and I just grabbed the nearest available size from an O-ring kit to replace it with. That helped the ultimate vacuum quite a bit.

That Hakko 701 manual is sure a LOT more detailed than this Aoyue 701A++ manual!  The one I got with my unit gives an inventory list but nowhere does it show most of the items in the list.  There is no drawing of the gun or the iron or how it goes together other than to show how to extract the solder chamber and it is pretty vague.  It would be nice to find a detailed manual for the Aoyue 701A++ like the Hakko 701 manual but so far all I have found is a pdf of the manual that was sent with the unit.

Thank you.

[Southerner]

If you look at this image. The one on top is the Aoyue tip. It's a slab of something vaguely related to copper with what appears to be a steel tube pressed into it. That slides into the gun where the tip butts up against the heating element and the tube slides right through it and pokes out into the collection tube. The turned adapter slips into the Hakko tip and presents the same interface to the gun. I used the tube pulled from another Aoyue tip to save me bothering to try and find something compatible.

Rumour has it the Aoyue 701 (no A) was based on the original Hakko design, but the tube in the heater kept clogging, so they fitted the tube to the tip instead so it was replaceable as a unit without damaging the heater.

Ideally what should that tube be made out of and coated with?  Does Hakko have a similar arrangement or is it part of the heating element?

I was just wondering how hard it would be to make that assembly so it goes directly into the Hakko tip without having to turn down a Aoyue tip to make an adapter.

Thank you.

[BradC]

I don't think the material is critical as long as it handles the heat and solder does not stick to it.

I made the adapter pictured there out of a bit of copper earth rod, but I did reuse the Aoyue tube.

The original was turned out of an Aoyue tip as a test, because frankly they were useless for desoldering. The plating could not be tinned which significantly limited the heat transfer to the joint, so I had no qualms destroying it. It was a sod to machine and the little extension broke off in use. I don't know what "copper" they used but it wasn't great.

The one in the picture is still in use. I might knock up a spare one day just in case.

[Southerner]

I did not find a ZD985 or a ZF917 but ended up getting a ZD915.  I am wondering if they will also take the Hakko solder chambers and Hakko tips and if the tips and tube also need to be modified like the Aoyou 701A++ require?

Thank you.