through-hole desoldering iron/tool/station recommendations in 2024?

[zzzzz]

Title says everything!

We have a Tenma branded version of the Aoyue 474 desoldering station -- it's older though. Ours doesn't have digital readout / temp control is manual. Seems to be "inspired" by the older black Hakko units.

It is "just okay." I've had to replace the gun once and replace various parts multiple times a year. When it works, it works well, but it clogs easily and is hard to clean (never really gets fully clean). The tips are non-standard with the tube/pipe built in and can be hard to find.

The vacuum has also become weak and unreliable over the years, even after replacing the entire gun. Probably was around $120 USD, so I guess you get what you pay for. Sometimes it's easier to just use a classic blue plunger pump or wick instead...




I'm looking for a replacement / upgrade. Mostly using for removing components from PCBs (caps, ICs). I like Hakko products (I use an 888 iron) but their current options are pricy pricey.

TL;DR: My budget is around $300 USD but ideally less. Does anyone have any insight for units? I know regular iron tech has come a long way in terms of T12 style units and such.

I've never used a self-contained desoldering tool with the vacuum built in like the Hakko FR301, only station-style units.

some readily available options I've found:

• Hakko FR301-03/P self-contained "portable" unit.
  • $280 USD from Hakko, and many on eBay from Japan for around $200 shipped which would be awesome but they are 100VAC...
  • there are some clones styled after this for under $150 on Amazon and eBay

• Yihua 948 station (and various clones) appears to be a successor to the 474 style unit I have.
  • $120 USD on sale from Jeff Bezos.
  • Not sure if this would be any better or worse than the mediocre station I currently have.

• Hakko FM-2024 kit
  • $528+ from Hakko, which is more than I'd like to spend, but if it's night-and-day difference I'd consider it

• Goot TP100AS
  • $319 for "110V-130V" from Howard, bunch for around $150 on eBay from Japan but again they're 100VAC...
  • looks like a clone of the old style Hakko

• Den-On SC7000Z
  • $395 USD. little more than I want to spend.

 

[TLRT]

I used Aoyue and the FR300/301, All had clogging and short lifetime tip problems, don't buy the FR300,it had a motor design failure, they stopped the production already(pump motors burning down,no replacement). Now I have the Hakko FR410 which is perfect(not cheap) they solved the clogging issues,tip lifetime is good too.

 

[pucho812]

Just got a yihua 948-II from Jeff bazos.
It’s my latest. It’s quite good for the money I spent.
At a previous job we had wellers and hakko’s. They were way more money but not worth it to me.

 

[Gold]

I tried the "948" style desoldering stations. I found they were close to single use. Once I cleaned the gun I could never get it back together with good vacuum pressure. I tried a few and gave up.

I use a Haako FR301. It's about a million times better IMO. They all need regular cleaning but I've never had a problem with the FR301. There is also support from Haakko USA. Every part is available as a spare part and Hakko will repair them.

 

[Rob Flinn]

I use an FR301, & I'm happy with it.

 

[Rusan]

I know a repair tech who's owned or tried everything imaginable, and he says nothing compares to his FR301.

I have the 948 Upgraded, and like Pucho said, it's great for the price but not a top-tier professional-grade unit. I'm still quite fond of my ancient Hakko 707; I just enjoy the convenience of the 948's soldering iron and desoldering gun in one unit. There's a known issue with some 948 guns, in that the plastic melts where the heating element attaches. Mine is almost new (purchased this year) and I've had no problems, so perhaps this has been resolved.