Any feeddback on Hakko 808 desoldering gun?

[+Larry]

I'm thinking about purchase. Does it work well? Continuous suction when "trigger" is on or one "suck"? (Had a one-shot and it was not good for me)?

 

Soldering flux pens useful as a removal aid?

 

Thanks.

[sloopy]

i have talked to a few people with them, and like them... i use an Aoyue A701+ personally and really like it... i have heard from someone that the iron gets too hot right where the metal of the iron connects with the plastic, as this is where they hold theirs, but i dont so hasnt been an issue with me... and the desolder tool will suck as long as you hold the trigger...

 

sloopy.

[+bob1200xl]

I have an 808... works fine. Suction as long as you hold the trigger. The pencil style de-soldering tools are lighter, where the 808 is somewhat heavy if you are going to be doing a LOT of pins.

 

Take it apart once in a while to keep the hot pieces free. Sometimes, the tip clogs with junk and you need to clean it out with a drill (not often...)

 

A common problem is that the hole only partially clears, leaving a bridge in the bottom of the hole. Since there is no solder in the top of the hole to transfer heat to the remaining solder, you need to add solder to the joint. Then, all the solder will melt, allowing you to clear the hole.

 

There is normally a point of contact between the pin and the hole. There will normally be a minimal solder brodge at that point that you can either break with gentle force (this is where you rip up traces on an XE...) or you can just use the tip to work the pin back and forth, freeing it up. So -- apply the tip to the pin, melt all the solder, pull the trigger, wiggle the pin... next pin...

 

Bob

 

 

 

I'm thinking about purchase. Does it work well? Continuous suction when "trigger" is on or one "suck"? (Had a one-shot and it was not good for me)?

 

Soldering flux pens useful as a removal aid?

 

Thanks.

[andylama]

Hi Larry,

 

I also have a Hakko 808, and bob1200xl covered it nicely. I echo what he says, and will add this testimonial:

 

Prior to investing in the H808, I used one of those pathetic blue aluminum plunger-type solder suckers (useless!) The H808 was well worth the cost ($150 IIRC), as most good suckers are much more expensive (and in my experience, require more maintenance).

 

This allowed me to 100% re-cap a vintage Teac 4-track reel-to-reel tape deck, containing countless dry and leaky electrolytic capacitors. The deck sounds better now than it did when it was new, back in 1974. I could not have done that job without the Hakko.

 

I've had my Hakko for a few years now, used it for MANY hours (probably a few hundred hours of hot time), and it still works great. I'm still using the original tip. If and when it dies, I would happily buy another one.

 

Great tool. I never want to be without one.

Edited September 29, 2011 by andylama

[nama]

I too have a Hakko 808, and like the posters above I find it invaluable for all my desoldering needs. Applying extra solder to the pads before starting the desoldering process is often key to a great desoldering experience.

 

When the tip becomes clogged, I don't use a drill bit, but rather a thin wire like tool that came with my unit. it often becomes clogged if I accidentally suck up a bit of metal or broken IC leg or something similar, and these can be hard to clear from the tip as they can get rally stuck.

 

Overall, an amazing tool that has allowed me to fix many things (from recapping monitors, to fixing many 70's and early 80's computers and arcade boards) that I would never have considered doing before purchasing it. Two thumbs up.

Edited September 29, 2011 by nama

[+Larry]

Thanks, guys.

I (unfortunately) have a birthday coming up fairly soon, so think I'll drop a few subtle hints to the wife!

-Larry

[Mclaneinc]

Thanks, guys.

I (unfortunately) have a birthday coming up fairly soon, so think I'll drop a few subtle hints to the wife!

-Larry

 

Life has got stranger since my days of wanting a birthday present from my wife