Electronics > Repair

Clogged desoldering station

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FlyingHacker:

--- Quote from: BurningTantalum on July 22, 2017, 08:07:47 am ---It is standard procedure, and essential, to let the pump 'run on' for a second or two to clear the tip after the tool is removed from the solder joint. I find it difficult to remember to do this, and my Pace MBT WILL clog reliably if I forget for a few joints. I have never seen a desolder system with a pump run-on timer, and intend to fit one the next time I have an idle hour.
BT

--- End quote ---

I do normally do this. Not sure how this got so clogged this time.

FlyingHacker:
So I tried turning it on full heat for ten minutes... still could not unclog with the ram rod.

I tried heating the back of the tube with another soldering iron (both on). Still could not unclog.

I tried heat the front of the tube with another soldering iron. Still could not unclog.

I finally used a small drill bit and turned it by hand. This gradually brought out little bits of solder, as I pulled the drill bit out periodically. Finally it made its way all the way through and things were good.

Thanks.

janoc:

--- Quote from: FlyingHacker on July 23, 2017, 12:08:16 am ---So I tried turning it on full heat for ten minutes... still could not unclog with the ram rod.

I tried heating the back of the tube with another soldering iron (both on). Still could not unclog.

I tried heat the front of the tube with another soldering iron. Still could not unclog.

I finally used a small drill bit and turned it by hand. This gradually brought out little bits of solder, as I pulled the drill bit out periodically. Finally it made its way all the way through and things were good.

Thanks.

--- End quote ---

I had the same experience - this gun heats mostly in the front, near the nozzle. If the clog is in the back, towards the collector, turning the heat up only risks damaging the heater (had one burn out already) but is not likely to melt the clog.

Heating with a soldering iron is useless, because the only contact is with the back of the tube, which is too little to ensure sufficient heat transfer, given the large thermal masses.

Gyro:
I don't understand why people are resorting to messy, time consuming, and potentially damaging efforts when you can simply sort it by sticking a nice thick thermally conductive piece of copper wire down the spout.  :-//

The element has plenty of power to clear the blockage, you just need to conduct it to the right place.

FlyingHacker:

--- Quote from: Gyro on July 23, 2017, 12:47:23 pm ---I don't understand why people are resorting to messy, time consuming, and potentially damaging efforts when you can simply sort it by sticking a nice thick thermally conductive piece of copper wire down the spout.  :-//

The element has plenty of power to clear the blockage, you just need to conduct it to the right place.

--- End quote ---

Well, your posting on this came too late  ;)

I was indeed trying to get more solder IN the tube in order to conduct the heat inward. Next time I shall try a copper wire. But the drill bit worked well when turned gently by hand.

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