Hi Dick:
Thanks so much for this review.
At 03:30 AM 7/27/04, Dick Ballard wrote:
I've also had one for several years. It was purchased in 1997. I don't
do a lot of construction or repair, so my use of it is light. I've
used it on plated thru hole boards with no problem. I have not used
any comparable devices, only manual suckers (bad reflux from them). So
I can't compare it to the Hakko.
It is a one shot solenoid operated piston device in a soldering gun
format.
So... is it truly a one-shot? In other words, when you press the trigger,
does it actuate a piston which (presumably) retracts, ONE TIME, causing a
vacuum which sucks out the solder? Or does it start a small vacuum pump (as
in the Hakko 808) and suck out the solder? Thus, the "One Shot" implying
that it takes only "One Shot" to remove the solder.
It doesn't seem to reflux (splatter solder particles out after
the suck cycle). Cleaning is done with supplied wire cleaners. Solder
is collected in an easily removed cylinder interposed between the
heating head and the sucking device. There is a foam filter in the
tube. A tool is provided for removing the chamber when it is hot so
you can dump the old solder and continue on.
This a very GOOD idea. That's for sure.
Heating is adjustable but actual temperature numbers are not provided.
I don't think there is any tip temperature sensing, just a solid state
heat control.
Do you not feel that the solid staste heat control also senses tip temp?
The tips screw into the heater head. My data sheet shows 0.8mm (0.03in),
1.0mm (0.038in), and 1.2mm (0.046in) sizes available.
The largest tip might be a good investment as well... sometimes you have
large(r) lugs (as on board-mounted BNCs) to be removed, and a larger
diameter tip would really come in handy there.
It does clog occasionally at the tip, and it requires tinning and
cleaning on the outside of the tip, like any soldering iron, in order
to maintain good thermal contact with the work piece. It is user
serviceable and a parts list and assembly diagram are provided. The
supplied stand would be considered flimsy by many, but I've found it
to be adequate.
Adequate is probably all that's needed, since it's probably not kept heated
all the time.
I was able to order extra tips shortly after I bought it, but I
haven't had any further contact with the manufacturer/supplier, so I
can't speak to the current support situation.
Your candid review is greatly appreciated!
73,
Tom Hamond N0SS
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