Need a new solder sucker. Suggestions?

[LeWidget]

Hi all,

My manually operated solder sucker broke so will need to buy a new one. I purchased one from ebay several years ago (which I still have) but doesn't want to suck. The one I have now (that broke) I'm not sure what brand it is.

Are there any recommendations on manual solder suckers? powered pump suckers are too expensive for me and the amount of work I do.

Thanks in advance

[Gyro]

Just go for one of the same physical size (assuming that you were happy with the suck that the old one had) and an antistatic (black) nozzle. They're all pretty much of a muchness unless you start paying silly money for a 'precision machined' one from Japan (there's a thread/post about one somewhere on here*).


P.S. If the existing one isn't sucking then it's probably the foam piston seal that has failed or is gummed up with solder fragments,  a good clean sometimes helps, you can probably get replacement seals but it probably isn't worth the hassle unless you're feeling very poor.


*  https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/engineer-ss-02-soldering-review-awful-service-customer/

[Coordonnée_chromatique]

Hello,
I'm using an old powerful modified vaccum cleaner with a pedal switch and a small PTFE tube,
never full,
never colmated,
powerful enough to remove all the solder of a circuit pad in order to make a through-hole component falling down by its gravity of a cold mulilayer PCB,
can eat a lot of solder in a millisecond,
can cool down some sensible zones of the PCB during the heating process,
... constantly at full power

[Arts]

If you want to buy a quality manual solder sucker once in your lifetime, and never have to replace it, the (genuine!) Edsyn Universal SOLDAPULLT US140 is a great choice.

I've had mine since I was a kid (I'll be retired shortly...) and I still use it regularly for quick jobs that don't justify waiting for my powered machines to heat up. Easy one-handed operation, and all replacement parts are inexpensive and readily available. Skip the wasted time, money and frustration of cheap chinese junk and get one of these. You won't regret it

https://www.edsyn.com/product/US140.html

[aeberbach]

Definitely the SOLDAPULLT. Costs more now but you never need to buy another one.

[notsob]

https://mektronics.com.au/products/edsyn-deluxe-soldapullt

[Ian.M]

The cheap end of the solder-sucker market has got even nastier.  Now they've got rid of the turned steel plunger shaft, replacing it with a flimsy U section pressed steel sheet shaft, and got rid of the hardened steel cross pin in the button, replacing it with a step in the button's plastic moulding, engaging a notch in the edges of the U section shaft, which are thin and sharp enough to rapidly chew through the latch step.    The result is a disposable solder sucker that will maybe cock ten times before it breaks, if it doesn't fly apart before that!  Unfortunately it looks nearly identical to the decent cheap blue body aluminium barrel ones in product photos . .
There are a few non-obvious clues - if the photo is good enough and at the right angle, you can see if the shaft has flat sides (the nasty hollow U type) and if the latching recess in the shaft just below the knob goes all the way around it (the good solid turned shaft type).
 
I made some suggestions for improving the suction of cheaper solder suckers here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/de-soldering-advice-loosing-my-mind/

Post photos of your original and ebay replacement solder suckers here, we may well be able to suggest how to fix them easily.

[Arts]

https://mektronics.com.au/products/edsyn-deluxe-soldapullt

I have that model too, just not the anti-static version. It's the DSO17. I got it for heavier work, but it's bloody HUGE, and I rarely use it

[Someone]

If you want to buy a quality manual solder sucker once in your lifetime, and never have to replace it, the (genuine!) Edsyn Universal SOLDAPULLT US140 is a great choice.

I've had mine since I was a kid (I'll be retired shortly...) and I still use it regularly for quick jobs that don't justify waiting for my powered machines to heat up. Easy one-handed operation, and all replacement parts are inexpensive and readily available. Skip the wasted time, money and frustration of cheap chinese junk and get one of these. You won't regret it

https://www.edsyn.com/product/US140.html

I have a rebranded version of this on the recommendation of a grey-bread, their recommendation "get one with as high a pumped volume as possible"

[LeWidget]

Just go for one of the same physical size (assuming that you were happy with the suck that the old one had) and an antistatic (black) nozzle. They're all pretty much of a muchness unless you start paying silly money for a 'precision machined' one from Japan (there's a thread/post about one somewhere on here*).


P.S. If the existing one isn't sucking then it's probably the foam piston seal that has failed or is gummed up with solder fragments,  a good clean sometimes helps, you can probably get replacement seals but it probably isn't worth the hassle unless you're feeling very poor.

Thanks Gyro. I managed to take apart the other spare solder-sucker.(I couldn't earlier so I thought it was sealed). Gave it a good cleanout and lubed the o-rings. Seems to suck better now, though I'll still look at getting a better sucker while I'm at it.
The suck of my old one that just broke seems to do the job, though I have nothing to compare it with so it may be low quality suck compared to what's out there today. I saw the one from your link on Amazon (Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker). How is this one? From reading the link you provided, it seems the user got the issue sorted and was able to replace the o-ring?

https://www.amazon.com.au/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=EDVVLK4GR5TI&keywords=SOLDAPULLT&qid=1689577944&sprefix=soldapullt%2Caps%2C483&sr=8-4

I'm using an old powerful modified vaccum cleaner with a pedal switch and a small PTFE tube, never full, never colmated, powerful enough to remove all the solder of a circuit pad in order to make a through-hole component falling down by its gravity of a cold mulilayer PCB, can eat a lot of solder in a millisecond, can cool down some sensible zones of the PCB during the heating process,... constantly at full power

Oh nice, smart thinking. Wouldn't the noise get annoying though, constantly starting/stopping the cleaner? Clever idea non-the-less.

If you want to buy a quality manual solder sucker once in your lifetime, and never have to replace it, the (genuine!) Edsyn Universal SOLDAPULLT US140 is a great choice.

Easy one-handed operation, and all replacement parts are inexpensive and readily available.
https://www.edsyn.com/product/US140.html

Definitely the SOLDAPULLT. Costs more now but you never need to buy another one.

https://mektronics.com.au/products/edsyn-deluxe-soldapullt

Nice, thanks for the suggesting SOLDAPULLT . I can't get it from edsyn due to them being in USA (Im in AUS), so postage is a killer. I noticed 'Amazon AU' have an identical US140 sucker but called 'Hozan US-140'. seems like Hozan is a Japanese company, so would this one still be OK? https://www.amazon.com.au/HOZAN-Solder-Blotter-Business-US-140/dp/B000TGAN5C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EWE5TLJKMITE&keywords=us140&qid=1689582412&sprefix=us140%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1&th=1

I'll have to check out Mektronics next time I go through Seven Hills. Hopefully you can buy from them & they're not just a warehouse (Ill give them a call).

I had a look at the specs for the 'The Original Deluxe SOLDAPULLT (DS017)' and the 'Static-Safe Deluxe SOLDAPULLT (DS017LS)' based on 'Arts' comment, and I have to say I was quite surprised! 13"/330mm long. That's rather large, isn't it? Why would it be so big? I think I might have to pass on those two lol, seems too big for me tbh.

The SS350 and SS750LS seem to be a better size for me. I'm not sure of the exact differences other than the SS350 having a metal body and being 13mm longer than the SS750LS. There doesn't seem to be much information on them.

Any opinions on the 'Engineer Solder Suction Device SS-02'? It does appear to be somewhat 'fat' compared to the slimmer suckers from Soldapullt. Does the extra width cause any issues getting down to the pads? Amazon AU have them for $28 ( a little more expensive than the 'Soldapullt' SS350 & SS750LS).

Edsyn Universal SOLDAPULLT US140 is a great choice.
https://www.edsyn.com/product/US140.html

I have a rebranded version of this on the recommendation of a grey-bread, their recommendation "get one with as high a pumped volume as possible"

What rebrand do you have? There's one on Amazon 'Hozan US-140' (linked above in post), is that the same ?

Thanks again guys . So far on the list I have,

Hozan US-140 - Amazon $28
Soldapullt SS350 - Mektronics $26
Soldapullt SS750LS - Mektronics $18
Engineer Solder Suction Device SS-02 - Amazon $28

Also unsure if the SS350 with a metal body is worth +$8 over the SS750LS with plastic body. Thoughts?


Thanks again

[Ian.M]

I find I need the style with a plunger guard for efficient repetitive solder sucking as the guardless style is more difficult to re-cock one-handed as my grip is unstable when reaching up with my thumb to depress the plunger knob.

An aluminum barrel may wear better than plastic.  If any cut wire debris from a joint gets between the piston seal and the barrel wall, a softer barrel is more likely to get scored.   If the aluminum is colored, it is anodized, which gives a much harder surface than any plastic.

[ledtester]

Any opinions on the 'Engineer Solder Suction Device SS-02'? It does appear to be somewhat 'fat' compared to the slimmer suckers from Soldapullt. Does the extra width cause any issues getting down to the pads? Amazon AU have them for $28 ( a little more expensive than the 'Soldapullt' SS350 & SS750LS).

I have one and I found it harder to use. The short barrel makes it harder to grasp and trigger with your thumb. Also, I would often have to pick out the solder bits from the silicone end. Eventually the suction power decreased for some reason. I took it apart, cleaned it and put it back to together but was never able to restore it to the way it worked originally.

[Shock]

I've got a couple that are basically the same as the Weller 7874B. As long as they are heat safe nylon tipped something like that should work.

You do have to clean them and lubricate the orings occasionally. I use graphite lubricant but Weller I expect recommends something  suitable.

[aeberbach]

I have never owned the Engineer brand sucker but I have heard from people who do and they say it is good - most of their stuff is good. Not top tier super-expensive good but still very good.

Mektronics will happily ship to you, I have never visited in person.

Another thing I love about the SOLDAPULLT is that when you have a row of holes to clear the plunger can be depressed against the bench, against your chest, wherever you can push it. No need to change your grip even, just release thumb pressure from the release button and reset. No need to put the iron down and guide a button down a channel with one finger. That means NOT SS350 style, but DSO17(LS).

[Arts]

Nice, thanks for the suggesting SOLDAPULLT . I can't get it from edsyn due to them being in USA (Im in AUS), so postage is a killer. I noticed 'Amazon AU' have an identical US140 sucker but called 'Hozan US-140'. seems like Hozan is a Japanese company, so would this one still be OK? https://www.amazon.com.au/HOZAN-Solder-Blotter-Business-US-140/dp/B000TGAN5C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EWE5TLJKMITE&keywords=us140&qid=1689582412&sprefix=us140%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1&th=1


[/quote]

Every reference I see to the Hozan US140 in ads for Hozan products (including Amazon) claims USA as country of origin.  It seems that Hozan is perhaps distributing the Edsyn line of solder suckers. Their company website lists several Edsyn models.

[Someone]

Edsyn Universal SOLDAPULLT US140 is a great choice.
https://www.edsyn.com/product/US140.html

I have a rebranded version of this on the recommendation of a grey-bread, their recommendation "get one with as high a pumped volume as possible"

What rebrand do you have? There's one on Amazon 'Hozan US-140' (linked above in post), is that the same ?

No idea, something from the 80's. You could buy a good tool once and have it last that long.

I find I need the style with a plunger guard for efficient repetitive solder sucking as the guardless style is more difficult to re-cock one-handed as my grip is unstable when reaching up with my thumb to depress the plunger knob.

Press plunger against side of head.

[tooki]

I had a look at the specs for the 'The Original Deluxe SOLDAPULLT (DS017)' and the 'Static-Safe Deluxe SOLDAPULLT (DS017LS)' based on 'Arts' comment, and I have to say I was quite surprised! 13"/330mm long. That's rather large, isn't it? Why would it be so big? I think I might have to pass on those two lol, seems too big for me tbh.

I haven’t used any of the Edsyn models, but it seems to me that the larger barrel would get you a lot more suction than a small one. That would probably translate into a better ability to clear holes.

People usually just hold it so their thumb can press the trigger, and then push it against their leg to reset it.

Digikey also carries a few Edsyn models, so you could just tack one onto your next order…

The SS350 and SS750LS seem to be a better size for me. I'm not sure of the exact differences other than the SS350 having a metal body and being 13mm longer than the SS750LS. There doesn't seem to be much information on them.

Any opinions on the 'Engineer Solder Suction Device SS-02'?

I have the Engineer SS-02 and quite like it, with caveats. It’s not going to win any suction awards with its tiny barrel, but it sorta makes up for that with the silicone tube that lets you make a seal in direct contact with the pad and iron tip. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from slipping a bit of silicone tube over the end of any other solder sucker to achieve the same thing!

It does appear to be somewhat 'fat' compared to the slimmer suckers from Soldapullt.

Ummm… no, it’s not fat. It’s a really small device, just 20mm diameter.

Does the extra width cause any issues getting down to the pads?

?? Solder suckers are only really good for single-sided through-hole PCBs, so the components are on the other side and the pads are freely accessible.

In the end, I like the SS-02, because it’s a gorgeous piece of machining that feels great in the hand, and with the silicone tube it works reasonably well. It’s short enough that you can reset the piston with your thumb. But for serious work, you probably want something beefier like the Edsyn. (I’ve considered ordering an Edsyn myself, mostly out of curiosity as to whether they really are better than other solder suckers. Either way, I rarely use solder suckers since I now have a Pace desoldering station. Continuous vacuum desoldering is just a totally different level.)

[tooki]

I have one and I found it harder to use. The short barrel makes it harder to grasp and trigger with your thumb.

Huh? Hold it so your fingers are on the barrel, and the trigger is under the joint (not tip) of your thumb. That grip lets you easily reset it, but easily trigger too.

Also, I would often have to pick out the solder bits from the silicone end.

Yeah, that definitely happens. (Easy to do, at least.) I suspect it never develops enough suction to truly quickly suck the solder into the barrel.

Eventually the suction power decreased for some reason. I took it apart, cleaned it and put it back to together but was never able to restore it to the way it worked originally.

Did you remove the plunger (even though the manual says not to)? I have done so, but given that the plunger seal isn’t an o-ring but a piston seal (u-shape cross section) you probably don’t want to back it out across the threads, but rather push it forward. I could imagine that if you back it out across the threads, it could damage the seal. I definitely saw a recovery of suction after completely disassembling it, cleaning thoroughly, and then reassembling with fresh lubricant. Mine is old enough that I’ve had to replace the tip-end o-ring, but that’s a standard part.

See https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/engineer-ss-02-soldering-review-awful-service-customer/ for pix and info.

[LeWidget]

Digikey also carries a few Edsyn models, so you could just tack one onto your next order…

Thanks for letting me know, I'll head over and check them out

Ummm… no, it’s not fat. It’s a really small device, just 20mm diameter.

Fatter than the typical pencil-style I mean. It looks more 'stubby'

I noticed there's a 'Engineer SS-01' available too on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com.au/SS-01/dp/B002HOQDVC/ref=d_pd_day0_sccl_2_2/358-6641937-0134029?pd_rd_w=X61gr&content-id=amzn1.sym.1b47318f-807b-4d2b-bf91-b76a34a92ae4&pf_rd_p=1b47318f-807b-4d2b-bf91-b76a34a92ae4&pf_rd_r=KBDT3AXQ3CB2VB76NNFH&pd_rd_wg=r5IUN&pd_rd_r=aa1dccad-73a5-4a01-89d8-e64030968d0d&pd_rd_i=B002HOQDVC&th=1

Has anyone used this one? Looks alright, Made in Japan with Aluminium body.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, much appreciated

[RAPo]

Buy an ENGINEER SS-02

[tooki]

Digikey also carries a few Edsyn models, so you could just tack one onto your next order…

Thanks for letting me know, I'll head over and check them out

Ummm… no, it’s not fat. It’s a really small device, just 20mm diameter.

Fatter than the typical pencil-style I mean. It looks more 'stubby'

But it’s not fatter. It’s exactly the same diameter as a standard pencil-style — I just checked. (I own both.) It looks stubby because it’s really, really short. The ones that really are fatter are the larger Edsyn models. They are way bigger than you imagine from an isolated picture.

A standard-style solder sucker is about 3/4” (19-20mm) diameter and about 8” (200mm) long. The full-size Soldapullt is 1” (25mm) diameter and 13” (330mm) long! The SS-02 is 20mm diameter and 150mm long.

For context, in the attached image I found online, note that the shortest units shown are about 8” long.

[tooki]

I just took this snapshot of the SS-02 next to a typical generic solder sucker. The photo is on 5mm grid graph paper.

[armandine2]

I have the two above -

but I see there are other, less wieldy, types

[PlainName]

That video explains a lot (and not just that they are f-word huge!)

Problem with the engineer and apparently the soldapullt is that it's easy to take your eye out, which is why most have the plunger guard. But the soldapullt seems to work differently in that the plunger comes out again one it is armed, so there is nothing to shoot out and hit you in the face when it's triggered.