Best Desoldering machine/gun/tool...

[pucho812]

When I did bench work for a known audio company, when we first started, we had the pace de solder tools. They would clog often and were a pain to sort out, but when they were working, was o.k. it did the job. But when we moved locations, we were into hake territory with the hako de-solder gun. boy what a difference. Much better all around but still had minor issues now and then.  When I left and didn't have access to that anymore, I picked up a circuit specialist desolder gun for around 130 dollars. Boy if that didn't beat all of them. Made in china, variable temp control, never had a clog I couldn't unclog quickly and is  easy to take part should the need arise.  Oh and it looks like they price dropped it a few bucks. 

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi8900-portable-desoldering-system.html

 

[synthiaks]

this looks a lot like a compact version of the AOYUE Int474A++

 

[okgb]

I see this one pushed on FB ads recently
https://figgywows.com/products/desoldering-suction-pump?fbclid=IwAR00MUTWtg2GhoGRVw5dwdsS0BP-I9tOQ9SXrVEGA0DJQiNukc3MroXyIUc

I'm in the market for one that'll do I.C.'s in plate through boards, I don't need one that often , but you know....when you do!

 

[Gold]

I've been happy with the eBay special 915. They require cleaning more often than the Weller I had, before it broke. The 915 is also more fragile. It works great though. For under $125 it's hard to beat. I broke the gun on the first one I had. Once I figured out how to empty the glass chamber without breaking it I was set. I bought a second one just in case. I took some fiberglass electrical tape and taped around where the nozzle meets the body. That's a mechanical stress point and is weak. I broke the first gun there as well as breaking the glass tube. The tape provides extra stability.

 

[Rob Flinn]

I see this one pushed on FB ads recently
https://figgywows.com/products/desoldering-suction-pump?fbclid=IwAR00MUTWtg2GhoGRVw5dwdsS0BP-I9tOQ9SXrVEGA0DJQiNukc3MroXyIUc

I'm in the market for one that'll do through I.C.'s in plate through boards, I don not need one often , but you know....when you do!

The best thing for that is a weller desoldering block (see link).  It's much better than trying to clear through plated holes with a gun & then trying to remove them.    The ic's literally fall out, & are so clean you could reuse them.  I then use a Hakko to clear the holes.  I got mine for £16 from ebay rather than £89 though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1339374447?iid=181883198226&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=181883198226&targetid=908661247816&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006565&poi=&campaignid=10204071489&mkgroupid=107296306292&rlsatarget=aud-629407027825la-908661247816&abcId=1145987&merchantid=100513064&gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VlIrZcIvdmP9YTKl2AlZVGDDsgdVuo5_cLuwPtclEXPyGNgnD8qgOxoC-nEQAvD_BwE. 

 

[Gold]

My honeymoon with the ZT915 is over. The second gun just broke trying to clean and replace the glass tube.  I removed the glass tube to clean it. When I put it back I couldn't get a good seal no matter what I did. Eventually the back part that slides broke. I wasted a good hour screwing around with it.

As of now I spent as much as I would have for a Hakko FR-301. The 808 lasted me years until I dropped it and it broke. I just put the order in for an FR-301.

 

[Whoops]

I've used the Hakko FR-301 in a work I did and I really liked it.
I really want to buy that unit for myself in the future

 

[Rochey]

I got an FR-301 last year, and wish I had bought it 10 years ago.
It's glorious on multi-pin connectors, through hole components etc.

It. Just. Works. First. Time.

amazing.