Opinions on Hakko 808 or clones MT-993/S-993?

[don.r]

Anyone try these desoldering guns? Good? Bad? Ugly? I am looking particularly for through hole work but also some smd.

[ben_r_]

Planning on purchasing a Hakko 808 myself, just havent pulled the trigger yet. This month was the Hakko 394 Vacuum Pickup Tool. Ill get the 808 next month maybe. Trying to pace the tool buying, been spending too much money lately! Ill try and remember to post back once Ive bought one.

[don.r]

Great! I hear you on the tool buying. I've been on a bit of a meter spree recently with 2 Uni-T DMMs and a Keithley 196 so I'm in no rush for the 808 yet. SWMBO is getting worried! 

[edavid]

Hakko 808 has excellent performance since the vacuum pump is so close to the tip.  On the other hand, that makes it heavy.  Also, tips and other replacement parts are expensive unless you happen to find some on eBay.

I don't know anything about the clones though.

[ben_r_]

Well so much for waiting, just ordered an 808. Picked it up for $168 shipped. I'll let you know when it gets here and I have a chance to play with it a bit. In the mean time, have you checked the user reviews for it on Amazon? Lots of them and very high.

[don.r]

Yeah, I can't seem to find a negative review anywhere.    I would like to know how it performs in tight spaces as the nozzle looks like it was designed for large through hole components on widely spaced boards.

[SLJ]

A Hakko 808 is on the list for me also.  I don't think weight will be a problem as I won't be using it for extended periods of time.
For now a Soldapullt has been working for me.

[don.r]

Speaking of a Soldapullt, there is also this little beauty: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/30W-220V-Soldering-Irons-SOLDER-SUCKER-DESOLDERING-PUMP-Welding-Tool-DIY-50Hz-/330937233350?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0d656fc6&_uhb=1



I wonder if the tips are interchangeable with the Hakko?

[mariush]

I tried one of those, the suction is close to non-existent.

[fpliuzzi]

I tried one of those, the suction is close to non-existent.

I agree with this statement, but I was able to improve the suction of a similar looking solder sucker that I bought many years ago.

When mine began to work poorly, I noticed that the o-ring on the plunger had shrunken. Since  I needed to get the thing working again quickly I lifted off the o-ring using a dental pick and wrapped a single layer of 24 gauge buss wire in the area where the o-ring sat to enlarge the diameter of that area a bit.

Next, I filled that same area with plumber's silicone grease. I also coated the o-ring with the same grease and reinstalled it. The o-ring was now a slightly larger diameter and exhibited a tighter fit when I slid the plunger assembly back into the blue barrel. The suction was better after this simple tweak.

If anyone has a similar style of solder sucker, this may be worth a try if yours seems to have given up the ghost.

Regards,
Frank

PS, I also have a HAKKO 808 and it is a very nice device. It deserves all of the good reviews that I saw on Amazon.

"Plumber's grease"...
www.pexsupply.com/Hercules-40610-Plumbers-Silicone-Grease-2-oz

[don.r]

fpliuzzi,

Is the blue barrel plastic or metal?

[fpliuzzi]

fpliuzzi,

Is the blue barrel plastic or metal?

On the unit that I supplied the above photo of it's made of plastic. I also have a similarly shaped passive type solder sucker from Radio Shack (must be used in conjunction with a regular soldering iron) that has a blue barrel made from metal. I performed the same tweek on its o-ring too and it improved its suction.

Regards,
Frank

[don.r]

fpliuzzi,

Is the blue barrel plastic or metal?

On the unit that I supplied the above photo of it's made of plastic. I also have a similarly shaped passive type solder sucker from Radio Shack (must be used in conjunction with a regular soldering iron) that has a blue barrel made from metal. I performed the same tweek on its o-ring too and it improved its suction.

Regards,
Frank

Much obliged. I have a plastic SS and its suction seems to have gone so I may try your trick as well. Are the tips interchangeable with the Hakko?

[fpliuzzi]

Much obliged. I have a plastic SS and its suction seems to have gone so I may try your trick as well. Are the tips interchangeable with the Hakko?

The HAKKO 808 tips are not interchangable with the tips on my TENMA branded solder sucker. Fortunately from what I have been reading, the somewhat costly HAKKO tips have a pretty good lifespan if they're kept cleaned and tinned. The tips in my fairly old TENMA solder sucker lasted a long time too because I had the unit plugged into a "light dimmer" type control box made by PACE. This helped me avoid roasting my tips and turning them purple.

Regards,
Frank

[don.r]

Again, much appreciated. I have a 120V dimmer control for an iron, I might get the $10 sucker iron for fun and throw a 220V dimmer control on that one. It will keep me busy while I wait for the right time (according to SWMBO  ) to get the Hakko.

[ben_r_]

My 808 shipped, looks like itll be here next Wednesday. Maybe that weekend Ill have a chance to play with it and post back. Ill try and cram it into some tight spaces and snap a few photos to post.

[don.r]

My 808 shipped, looks like itll be here next Wednesday. Maybe that weekend Ill have a chance to play with it and post back. Ill try and cram it into some tight spaces and snap a few photos to post.

Did you get a chance to play with it?

I got a $12 combo Soldaput and iron with the hollow tip from dx: http://dx.com/p/gj-no-845-dual-use-electric-heating-desoldering-pump-suction-tin-black-silver-blue-194897



Its all metal and pulls a good vacuum. It works fine if the target joint is not too big. I find I have to repeat the vacuum 2 or three times for most joints. Definitely a constant vacuum would be better. It comes with a grounding clip which is a nice touch.

[duskglow]

Wow, that looks useful.

[don.r]

Wow, that looks useful.

Unfortunately it only comes in a 220V variety. Luckily, I have 220V on the bench.

[duskglow]

Nothing a step up transformer wouldn't fix.

[don.r]

Nothing a step up transformer wouldn't fix.

Indeed. 

[ben_r_]

My 808 shipped, looks like itll be here next Wednesday. Maybe that weekend Ill have a chance to play with it and post back. Ill try and cram it into some tight spaces and snap a few photos to post.

Did you get a chance to play with it?

URGH, STILL havent! I havent been doing much soldering lately and what I have been doing has all been SMT.