Best desoldering station on the market?

[ElectronicsNewbie]

Hi guys,

I have been using my ZD desoldering iron for a pretty long time. It is just one like below:


You may find it under different brands, models (some with additional: iron tool or hot air tool).

The problem is that I often get tempted to get something better so here we have this thread 

First of all, let's talk about pumps. There are some that use electric pump, and some that need shop air.
What's the difference in performance in real word scenario? I don't have the shop air pump but I may consider it, because it has other useful uses.

To be honest with you, I don't lack that much pressure with ZD, but it's biggest flaw is it's low thermal capacity. I know the mass of the tip is huge compared to the standard soldering iron tip but the heating element isn't very effective at all. To melt some lead free solder joints on a multi layer PCB or on a ground plane I need to rise the temp up. which is always risky. Of course, I could get help myself with soldering iron or some preheater, but on the other hand the ZD desoldering tip itself looks crap compared to the most recent type from Pace.

Does anyone have some hands-on experience on this topic?

[fivefish]

I use a Hakko desoldering gun. Very satisfied with it. My only complaint with it is the maintenance needed, otherwise you can clog the nozzle and obstruct it with lead solder or small cut component leads.

Before the Hakko, I bought a cheap chinese desoldering gun (handheld tool similar to what you have). I didn't like it. I threw it away.

[ElectronicsNewbie]

I think this will be something like: Pace ST115 vs Hakko FR400 vs JBC or OKI Metcal.

I would prefer the the larger foot print size unit than a hand held gun.

[helius]

The units that use shop air and a venturi device have higher flow rates and greater vacuum.

Here is a comparison of three Hakko models:
The FR-300 is handheld like the one pictured above; the 472 is a diaphragm air pump bench unit, and the 473 is shop air bench unit.

	FR-300	472	473
Absorption: (lpm)	11	12	28
Vacuum: (mm Hg)	610	600	700

[KJDS]

My favourite three are Pace, followed by Pace followed by Pace.

Every other one that I've used has driven me round the bend.

[fivefish]

Too strong vacuum power (coupled with high heat) can lift copper pads and get sucked into the nozzle... (if I'm not careful, it happens with the Hakko 808)

[ElectronicsNewbie]

As I wrote before, I don't lack the sucking power  O0

I wonder if there is a difference in reliability between those two types of pumps?

KJDS, if you know, if you have tried.... how does the Pace handpiece does the job in tight places compared to pistol handpiece?

[motocoder]

I have the Hakko FR-300 and really like it. I should prefer a bench unit though - a bit of a pain to drag it out every time I need to desolder something.

[ElectronicsNewbie]

I have the Hakko FR-300 and really like it. I should prefer a bench unit though - a bit of a pain to drag it out every time I need to desolder something.

I'm not sure but FR-300 doesn't have on-off switch and you would need to pay extra for some kind of stand for it.

[motocoder]

I have the Hakko FR-300 and really like it. I should prefer a bench unit though - a bit of a pain to drag it out every time I need to desolder something.

I'm not sure but FR-300 doesn't have on-off switch and you would need to pay extra for some kind of stand for it.

It is also true what was said about maintenance on it. You need to remember to clean it before shutting it off, or it will clog. I recently broke off the drill bit that is used to clear the tip. It snapped off inside the tip, and it took me 15 minutes to get it back out. I am not sure, though, if perhaps all these units have similar maintenance requirements.

[Deathwish]

My favourite three are Pace, followed by Pace followed by Pace.

Every other one that I've used has driven me round the bend.

sell me one

[dr.diesel]

Not cheap but you asked for the best, I've got a Hakko FM-206 rework station, small and compact, best I've ever used, by far.

A bit loud stock, fan mod required for home lab use.

[KJDS]

My favourite three are Pace, followed by Pace followed by Pace.

Every other one that I've used has driven me round the bend.

sell me one

I'll have a rummage round and see if I can put together a complete one.

[GlowingGhoul]

Get a Pace and you won't feel the need to upgrade any time soon.

[Deathwish]

My favourite three are Pace, followed by Pace followed by Pace.

Every other one that I've used has driven me round the bend.

sell me one

 

I'll have a rummage round and see if I can put together a complete one.

[KJDS]

I'll order some new bits tomorrow, I've got one, but it's more corroded than a 1980's Lancia.

[Deathwish]

I'll order some new bits tomorrow, I've got one, but it's more corroded than a 1980's Lancia.

That must be bad then. pm me when you want to talk costs etc ok.

[ElectronicsNewbie]

Not cheap but you asked for the best, I've got a Hakko FM-206 rework station, small and compact, best I've ever used, by far.

A bit loud stock, fan mod required for home lab use.

Have you tried Pace? Please, could you compare your experiences regarding Hakko and Pace?

Thanks

[dr.diesel]

Sorry, been using the Hakko too long to give an honest comparison.  But IIRC, the Pace doesn't have quick change heads right, at least not on the DeSolder?

[0xdeadbeef]

I'll just throw in my Metcal/OKi MFR-1350 here:
http://www.okinternational.com/hand-soldering-systems/id-MFR-1350/Desoldering_System_Internal_Pump
Not quite cheap, but also serves as base for a soldering iron.
I used one of these Chinese things before and IMHO, it's no comparison. You can also detach the pistol grip and use it like a (fat) pen. That's actually how I use it.
Only slightly annoying thing is that the membrane pump starts to run for a short period every time you switch the station on - even if you just want to solder something.

[mos6502]

Don't forget the Denon:

[GlowingGhoul]

Sorry, been using the Hakko too long to give an honest comparison.  But IIRC, the Pace doesn't have quick change heads right, at least not on the DeSolder?

Hakko desoldering stations, particularly the one's with "quick change heads" have terrible reports regarding failures happening with multiple units.

Here's just one source of reviews indicating a real quality problem with Hakko http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-300-FR300-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B00KWM69C4/

[KJDS]

Sorry, been using the Hakko too long to give an honest comparison.  But IIRC, the Pace doesn't have quick change heads right, at least not on the DeSolder?

Loosen a grub screw, pull out tip, slide in new one and tighten screw.

Note to self, see if Pace also sell replacement grub screws, otherwise I'll have to have some fun cutting screw threads on my lathe.

[mos6502]

Sorry, been using the Hakko too long to give an honest comparison.  But IIRC, the Pace doesn't have quick change heads right, at least not on the DeSolder?

Loosen a grub screw, pull out tip, slide in new one and tighten screw.

Note to self, see if Pace also sell replacement grub screws, otherwise I'll have to have some fun cutting screw threads on my lathe.

That seems like a much worse construction than the ZD985.

[ElectronicsNewbie]

Sorry, been using the Hakko too long to give an honest comparison.  But IIRC, the Pace doesn't have quick change heads right, at least not on the DeSolder?

Loosen a grub screw, pull out tip, slide in new one and tighten screw.

Note to self, see if Pace also sell replacement grub screws, otherwise I'll have to have some fun cutting screw threads on my lathe.

That seems like a much worse construction than the ZD985.

I'm not sure about this, because Pace uses this type of attaching with a screw since early 80's...

I'll just throw in my Metcal/OKi MFR-1350 here:
http://www.okinternational.com/hand-soldering-systems/id-MFR-1350/Desoldering_System_Internal_Pump
Not quite cheap, but also serves as base for a soldering iron.
I used one of these Chinese things before and IMHO, it's no comparison. You can also detach the pistol grip and use it like a (fat) pen. That's actually how I use it.
Only slightly annoying thing is that the membrane pump starts to run for a short period every time you switch the station on - even if you just want to solder something.

Do you mind if I ask you where did you get it and how much did you pay for it? Does it have controllable temp. settings?


Any Hakko FR400 users here?