I would strongly recommend the Hakko 808. It is light, portable, low complexity, easy to maintain and works brilliantly. I personally do not like those de-soldering tools that have long hoses to the hand piece. They take up room on your bench and the hose dragging about is just one more aggravation you don't need. Usually, the pumps on those rigs are running all the time...annoying.
Before you spend lots of money, I recommend you try out the Radio Shack tool:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/radioshack-desoldering-iron-%27it-does-what-it-says-on-the-tin%27/
Especially if you only have an occasional need.
If you don't find it satisfactory after trying it, you can of course go ahead and buy a more expensive tool like the Hakko. Given the price of the RS tool there is nothing to lose by trying it first.
Good shopping can get you quality at a good price .
That being said , avoid buying junk for many reasons , besides doing quality work without frustration .
For the money [ $150 -$200 ] used an Metcal MX-DS1 gun with power supply , uses shop air - one of the biggest issues with the vacuum pump desoldering gear is the cost , maintenance of the vacuum pump .
I think a complete repair bench should have compressor , with compressed air , use a simple venturi to create vacuum .
Any of the equipment we are talking about already has cords , so adding a hose means nothing .
I bought a Metcal power supply , soldering pencil , desoldering gun , holder for each and the rack for both holders for $200 .
I would have posted the ebay link to my purchase , but would need to take out my info ?
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What about this new $35 sucker on Ebay? Anyone here ever used it?
It looks a little unwieldy but I do like the fact that the solder can be ejected, without having to dismantle it to clean springs.
My solution:
Hakko 474 handle, homebrew controller +solenoid valve + old fridge compressor pulling vacuum. Works like treat and has strongest suction and lowest delay I have seen in any desoldering tool.
Nothing pisses me off more than desoldering iron that barely sucks and has a 5 second delay before making any appreciable vacuum after trigger press.
My solution:
Hakko 474 handle, homebrew controller +solenoid valve + old fridge compressor pulling vacuum. Works like treat and has strongest suction and lowest delay I have seen in any desoldering tool.
Nothing pisses me off more than desoldering iron that barely sucks and has a 5 second delay before making any appreciable vacuum after trigger press.
5 seconds, eh? Can you see the vacuum travel along the tubes like water in classic cartoons?
Then it's probably time to replace the two "paper ceramic" (whatever *that* is) filters in the vacuum path. That's the consumables. One near the pump, one inside the gun.
My solution:
Hakko 474 handle, homebrew controller +solenoid valve + old fridge compressor pulling vacuum. Works like treat and has strongest suction and lowest delay I have seen in any desoldering tool.
Nothing pisses me off more than desoldering iron that barely sucks and has a 5 second delay before making any appreciable vacuum after trigger press.
5 seconds, eh? Can you see the vacuum travel along the tubes like water in classic cartoons?
Then it's probably time to replace the two "paper ceramic" (whatever *that* is) filters in the vacuum path. That's the consumables. One near the pump, one inside the gun.well, maybe there was some exaggeration but some of the desoldering stations with built-in vacuum pump ARE slow as hell. Pump will start as you press the switch and you wont necessarily get proper vacuum in a blink of an eye.
Are you involved in some sort of speed-desoldering contest? The time it takes to place the iron and heat the joint would be the biggest factor, no?
But I think you're basically right, the pump does need a variable amount of time to get the diaphragm to do a full cycle.
What's even worse is that the pump, at least in my 707, has no position sensor so it basically can end up anywhere when it stops.
Sometimes, I get the feeling a small amount of air is pumped *out* before suction begins. I noticed this by triggering it a few dozen times in the air, and I think I saw a small puff of smoke coming out.
But what else is there but a "built-in" pump? I could only guess that a Venturi valve would be faster since the shop air is always there, and nothing needs to spin up.