Hakko FR-301 alternatives?

[jonpaul]

Hello all, this old EE has used solder wick and various spring loaded solder suckers, all are slow, and damage delicate PCBs. Due to maintaince, cost and bench space I never got a rework station like the Pace.

Now am restoring a number of vintage TEK 2465/7B and 7000 plugins, and easily unsoldering components and ICs without board damage is a must.

Seems the Hakko FR-301 is highly regarded and gun style, no separate power supply/vacuum. (need USA 120V model)

But rather costly $250-350.

Open to the Forums feedback on the Hakko, as well as lower cost alternatives.

Most work is thru hole not SMD and I might work on 3-10 jobes in a year.

MANY THANKS

Jon

[testpoint1]

you can buy previous used Hakko 808, only 100 USD maybe.

[MagicSmoker]

It doesn't sound like you are going to use the desoldering tool enough to justify the Hakko FR-301. I'm the same, and up until recently I got by with no-clean solder wick, but I saw this cheap thing from Velleman (VTDESOL3U) and decided to get it because at only $15US if it sucked (or didn't, as the case may be) I wouldn't be too upset:



Before I used it I popped open the plunger to smear some silicone dielectric grease on the inside which really improved the suction and should prevent solder from sticking to anything. I've since used it to remove a bunch of Wiznet ethernet modules which have 2mm pitch pin headers and it worked a lot better - and much faster - than solder wick alone. I did need to use solder wick on a few pins that connected to the ground plane, but even that went easier than just using the solder wick.

Three things I quickly learned to maximize success are to make sure the tip is in contact with the pin/pad to ensure the joint gets heated, to press the tip flat against the board to maintain good suction and to hold the board with the pins pointing down so that gravity assists rather than fights the removal process. All in all, I'm very happy with it, but it is clearly a low-duty/occasional use kind of tool.

[Kwakerman]

I have a 301 and it is a handy tool, just need to be aware that the tips are fairly expensive for what they are (in the UK at least) and you may need a few different types to cover your needs.

[Shock]

Are you looking for 240V or 120V?

If 240V perhaps drop Toploser a message and see if he has anything going cheap. He had a pile of Pace desoldering stations in last year which were a real bargain. He might have some other brands or be able to hook you up with a cheap open box return or something.

[jonpaul]

Hello again: It is for 120V use at this time.

To MagicSmoker, MANY THANKS for the recommendation Velleman (VTDESOL3U), just ordered 2 from Amazon, $25 with shipping and taxes.

Jameco has the tips about 2 for $6.

After I use it on the current TEK 2465B PSU I will report.
Of course, I really didn't want to spend $250-300 on the fine Hakko, although its very well made and has high recommendations.

I should receive the Velleman by 17-25 January.

Bon journee,

Jon

[Dacke]

The FR-301 is a great gun and even on the lowest setting it has a lot of thermal transfer ability,  so you have to be a bit careful on older circuit boards.  On particularly old boards I just won't use it.  Also for some reason Hakko decided to put the power/heating LED on the bottom of the handle where you can't see it unless you pick up the gun,  so it's very easy to leave the gun on while its sitting in the stand and not realize you've done so.  I had to mod mine by installing an LED on the top side to remind me that it's on,  this has been really my only issue with it.  But to be honest I really don't think it's a good investment for occasional desoldering.

Edit - There are multiple different cheaper clone type guns like the Hakko for around $80-$120 that will come with extra tips,  and ones in the $120-$150 range that have base stations with the pump inside that instead of the gun.   I've heard they work just fine.  This is much cheaper than the Hakko that would cost up to $400 with the extra tips and stand.