Solder sucker choice

[Pat Pending]

Anyone have recommendations for an effective handheld solder sucker?
Some are made of metal and others of only plastic. I don't have a
high volume of joints to clean up since SMD hot-air rework is more
prevalent. Solder braid is very effective but the price seems to have soared.

[IanB]

I like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731&filterName=Type&filterValue=Desoldering

It is easier to use than the separate spring loaded suckers.

[SgtRock]

Dear Calico:

--Please never mind my original post (now deleted). I have an eye infection. I thought you said soldier.

“Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people."
W. C. Fields (William Claude Dunkenfield) 1880 - 1946

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[Balaur]

I have a Velleman VTD desoldering pump:



It looks to be a version (clone?) of the OK Industries DP-100 or Hakko DS-01, or of some unnamed original manufacturer.

The pump is very nice by itself, huge suction action, OK-ish tip. I'm still waiting to see how long it will last.

[flolic]

I have metal one (blue anodized aluminum), for almost 20 years. It still works great.

But whatever you get, attach small piece of silicone tubing to a plastic tip. That will last forever, will not melt even if you press it hard against hot soldering iron tip, and will make desoldering much easier 

[Psi]

Just be sure to keep your solder sucker clean and lubricated. They work so much better in that state.

Also don't be afraid to first add a large blob of solder onto the pad you want to desolder.
This keeps all the solder hotter for longer giving the solder sucker time to extract it all out.
It also gives you a larger target for the tip of the solder sucker.

[SgtRock]

Greetings EEVBees:

--I think I bought mine from Jameco. Old blue and yellow is no doubt available under quite a number of brands. She can indeed be found in nearly any port of call.

--The one you see in the picture is marked Han Bao (Mandarin for "Old Rough and Ready") HB-017 Desoldering Pump, has been with me for lo the many years, and has never failed to give satisfaction. It will reduce the need for, but not completely replace desoldering braid. As Wun Hung Lo says "Happy for you to desoldering, please.".

--P.S. Excellent tips about the use of the silicone rubber and lubrication.

“I do not think that the wireless waves I have discovered will have any practical application”
Heinrich Rudolf Hertz 1857 1894

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[Pat Pending]

That's really great feedback, and flolic, adding a silicon tip is simply pure genius.

My previous desoldering tool had a lower half that resembled the one in flolics pics, but the
upper eye guard half was made of plastic. Naturally, after a few cleaning attempts the threads on the
plastic portion did not survive contact with the metal body.

The blue and yellow Soldapullt desolder pump originated at Edsyn, with some history in the link below
and more on the companies website, but definitely, this product seems like a great choice.

Thanks everyone

[david77]

I've used the big Edsyn solder sucker for a couple of years now. At first it takes time to get used to the huge pump but I find it is far superior to any other sucker I've used before. Far better sucking action than the smaller variety of suckers.

As mentioned before, cleaning and maintenance is vital to get good results. Clean the pump out regularly and put some grease on the O ring seal, I've found Vaseline works quite well. They do sell a special kind of grease but I really don't think that's necessary.

I know one EE who's had his Edsyn sucker for decades and claims he's still using the first tip.

[FreeThinker]

I have a Velleman VTD desoldering pump:



It looks to be a version (clone?) of the OK Industries DP-100 or Hakko DS-01, or of some unnamed original manufacturer.

The pump is very nice by itself, huge suction action, OK-ish tip. I'm still waiting to see how long it will last.

Just a heads up...literally. This type of pump can (and will) give you a nasty poke in the eye, better getting the type with a guard around the sprung handle.Those things smart when they hit you, I know!!

[Balaur]

Just a heads up...literally. This type of pump can (and will) give you a nasty poke in the eye, better getting the type with a guard around the sprung handle.Those things smart when they hit you, I know!!

Thank you for the warning.
However, the version I have doesn't keep the plunger down after arming; it goes back up. When triggering, only internal parts are moving. So no unexpected extra-orbital ocular re-positioning.

Cheers,
Dan

[T4P]

Yep .. I have one of those large suckers , they suck very well .
I do not know what to grease them with .

[nanofrog]

I do not know what to grease them with .

Silicone grease works well.

[cybergibbons]

The big Edsyn suckers seem overkill for most things I do, I have a PT109 which is a smaller version. It does seem to work better than the much cheaper ones I used before.

[FenderBender]

I like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731&filterName=Type&filterValue=Desoldering

It is easier to use than the separate spring loaded suckers.

I agree with Ian completley. These may be only $11...but they work very well and they are easy to use and maintain. Since you'd probably hardly use it, it will probably last a long time for you. And if it does die, it's only $11...

I've tried the solder suckers. I don't like em. I use either the Radio Shack iron or desoldering wick.

[T4P]

I like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731&filterName=Type&filterValue=Desoldering

It is easier to use than the separate spring loaded suckers.

I agree with Ian completley. These may be only $11...but they work very well and they are easy to use and maintain. Since you'd probably hardly use it, it will probably last a long time for you. And if it does die, it's only $11...

I've tried the solder suckers. I don't like em. I use either the Radio Shack iron or desoldering wick.

I would prefer those

Man i can't find those things anyway , and i think aoyue is the only one making copies of desoldering stations .

[mariush]

I bought one of those ... didn't use once.

The problem is that the spring and everything is very short, so the pump doesn't really do much suction. Also, the heating element is relatively weak, about 35 watts maybe so it takes a long time to heat up.

I've considered removing the spring to attach a car vacuum cleaner nozzle to suck the solder but lately I found it's much easier to just add solder and wiggle the parts out. With the Hakko 936 I have it's much faster.

Here's some closeup pictures I made for another forum:

[nukie]

I think the original big ass sucker is by Goot and it is made in Japan. The GS-100 is super awesome I had it for almost a decade now, it has the most powerful suction of all spring action desoldering tool. Unlike other metal body pumps, it requires very little maintenance. the only problem is sometimes it leaks solder bits when its slightly full. Unfortuntely the ribbed body design often turn it in to a female toy look alike.

[AlphZeta]

I have one of the RadioShack desoldering iron mentioned above, but over the years I started to becoming more in favor of those simple spring loaded stand alone solder suckers.

The issue with the RadioShack desoldering iron is its tip. The brass tip corrodes easily and I have found it frustrating having to change the tip after just a dozen of uses. The stand alone desoldering suckers on the other hand, are cheap, easy to use and best of all the tips are surprisingly tough and degrades only slightly over repeated use.