I got frustrated with my desoldering tools. I have a separate manual pump and an integrated iron with a bulb. Both of which are cumbersome and ineffective.
After looking at expensive options and researching various other DIY projects, I settled on this approach. So far, it has worked great.
Parts:
Iron with an integrated manual suction pump. @ Temu for $6.60
Drill a hole in the vacuum cylinder
On lathe: Turn one side of the elbow shaft to fit whatever size hole you drill into the cylinder
Press the modified elbow into the cylinder
Connect the negative side of the vacuum pump to the elbow
Well… That sucks!
In the best possible way, of course. It looks like a really useful item, I can think of several occasions in the last year alone where one would be handy. If I get paid I might just order the pump and iron (I have everything else).
I assume the solder ‘spray’ that it draws in just collects in the chamber of the iron?
I only have a Hakko soldering station(dual) and for desoldering I used a solder sucker with the plunger and release button. Works pretty well but is a 2 hand job and I too was not thrilled with the desoldering ‘bulbs’. I have a separate bulb solder sucker too. What I didn’t know was there’s an integrated solder sucker(plunger type) and soldering iron. I may have to try that before trying the added vacuum pump.
I do like the fact I can fine tune my temps with the Hakko and would prefer to have that control on the desoldering iron too. Nice foot switch too.
I have been contemplating building my own too. I have one of those desoldering irons that has a bulb attached. I acquired an air mattress vacuum pump that I’m considering using in place of the ball.
Glad to know I’m not the only one considering a DIY option.
yes, the solder collects in the existing suckers tube. Although I could not get the tube apart there are videos where others succeeded. I figured it would take some time for it to get full and then if I cannot open it I will get a new iron for $7.
While researching I saw some approaches where they removed the bulb and connected the pump to that stem.
I also have one of the bulb types but did not want to wreck it…yet.
What an excellent idea Don. I’ve just ordered one myself on Ebay.
I had to pay more, $13, but still cheap for a suction iron. I hope there is a simple way to empty the solder from “the succer”
I have not connected a pump yet, so far I’m using the device just the way it was intended.
I got the idea to connect to the other side of a pump. Would the flow of air be sufficient, and hot enough, for desoldering SMD components when you blow hot air on the PCB?
Not sure I understand the question:
If you are thinking about connecting to the negative side of a pressure pump then its suitability will depend on how much negative pressure it creates.
The pump I am using is rated at 0-16" Hg of vacuum, if your pump’s negative side creates that amount of vacuum it should work. If you have longer hoses you may need more vacuum.
Note: the pump I am using costs $22 and because it is small I like that it sits on the bench next to the soldering iron. Also, its input tube is very short reducing drops.
I have not tried my setup while blowing hot air but I don’t expect that to be a problem.
I certainly want to give that a try Owen. But I will have to wait a bit.
I am currently moving around the house on crutches. I fell of my bike after a night frost and I hurt my knee. There must be two aquarium air pumps somewhere in the loft but it is not the time to start a search.
Veel beterschap!
I’m sitting on my balcony with a mug of tea examining last nights frost, which has clad Nellestein in white, and just about to cycle myself. I’ll take care
With this very experimental setup, I was able to desolder a micro usb connector from a pcb. It took a long time to heat up the metal part of the connector but I can do it now without messing up the traces.
The capacity of the pump is much to low, the airflow is nearly nothing.
