Whats the difference between these desoldering gun models ?

[l3gi0n]

I am looking to buy an entry level desoldering gun, I am looking at:

SS-331: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32957483227.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.20e52e46XO0obA&algo_pvid=fbf4826a-8fd4-4fe3-86e3-ee1262dfa43a&algo_exp_id=fbf4826a-8fd4-4fe3-86e3-ee1262dfa43a-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000020444582883%22%7D

ZD-915: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/223636948431?hash=item3411cd05cf:g:TW0AAOSwNEVdYqdp

ZD-8915: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/223636573544?hash=item3411c74d68:g:-egAAOSw8ENdYmEt

Some questions:

(1) Are the SS-331 and ZD-8915 the same unit ?

(2) Is ZD-8915 a newer version of ZD-915 ?

(3) Which one do you recommend ? Anything else in this price range that you would recommend ?

[Gyro]

It's a good while since I bought my ZD-915. But I understand that the difference between it and the ZD-8915 is that the latter has a smaller diameter heater barrel. Apparently these have a tendency to clog more easily because they don't get enough heat into the back of the solder tube where it enters the collection chamber. Yes, the 8915 is a later version.

Sorry, I have no knowledge of the SS-331, or any changes that may have been made to the base unit internals over the years.

If you do a forum search, you should get plenty of hits, particularly in the 'Other Equipment and Tools' section.


P.S. Some variants have a black plastic collection chamber rather than the clear glass. Both of the ebay listings seem to show the glass version.

[l3gi0n]

the difference between it and the ZD-8915 is that the latter has a smaller diameter heater barrel. Apparently these have a tendency to clog more easily because they don't get enough heat into the back of the solder tube where it enters the collection chamber.

So just to confirm, you are saying ZD-8915 clogs more than ZD-915 ? ...and that ZD-915 is the better unit ?

Which unit has the stronger suction ? How about parts availability ? If some part gets damaged, Can I order the parts from eBay or Aliexpress ?

[Gyro]

That's what I understand. See here for example... https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/zd-8915-thin-barrel-desoldering-station-huge-disappointment/msg2698372/#msg2698372  As I say, there are lots of threads on the forum.

Obviously I only have experience of using my own ZD-915 but I think they all use the same pump (there are threads on increasing the suction by modifying the supply dropper to the pump motor, adding relays etc) if you search.

In the UK I can get parts cheaply from CPC / Farnell as they sell the ZD-915 under the Duratool brand (I got spare tips, filters, spare element etc). I had a quick look on Newark Canada (which I think is the same Farnell / Element 14 company. They also seem to stock the Duratool branded one (I found filters anyway), you probably want to look there more carefully.

[wizard69]

3) Which one do you recommend ? Anything else in this price range that you would recommend ?

How about none of the EBay trash.    Something like a soldering iron or desoldering gun needs regular maintenance, as such you are better off locally with a supplier that stocks everything, parts wise, even if it is a rebranding of one of these guns.   I use this approach for many things if an item is known ot need lots of support, consumables in this case I buy locally.   I used this logic for my welder and frankly it is good to have a local supplier that can quickly resolve an issue for you.

As for stuff in this price range flux desoldering wick and a solder sucker come to mind.   I'm not trying to be an ass here, just that is what I started with and in some cases still turn to.   That being said for most desoldering jobs a desoldering gun can do wonders, so I'm not dismissing that.

Look at it this way do you know for certain that you can find one of these dealers tomorrow or a year from now?   There are somethings where it makes perfectly good sense to import a product yourself, I just don't see it with respect to a soldering station.     It is sort of like battery powered tools such as drills, there are many off brands you can get from China but you will have a lot less grief if you buy a device that has a local distribution system.    Many of these tools are manufactured by TTI, so literally in the same factory.   In the end though if you go Yellow or Red you have a widely distributed bit of tooling in the USA.