A good desoldering station?

[spinjector]

Could anyone suggest a good make/model of desoldering station? I'm looking for the kind with the built-in vacuum pump.

I see various "famous brand" models at Digikey and Mouser, but they want $600-$1,000 for them, which is nuts.

I see a lot of Asian brands on Ebay for way more reasonable prices, and I'm leaning towards one of those.

Thanks.

 

[littlejohn]

The Precision/Pace stuff works. Dunno 'bout the Asian stuff, but I have a Hakko iron that has served well.

 

[kenglish]

PACE:

http://www.pacedirect.com/home_products.php

I had the "NASA Solder School" classes in the Navy in 1973. KSL bought a couple of PACE setups in 1984, and we've been happy with them. Seemed like a lot of money at first, but we bought a reasonable selection of spares (tips, filters, etc) and have only had to re-order once or twice since.
Just learn to use them properly, and keep them clean.

 

[Play Freebird]

I bought a Hakko 808 five years ago and it's still working fine. The vacuum pump is built into the back end of the gun, but it's powerful, quite easy to handle and much less expensive than the Pace stations. Read more user reviews here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Desoldering-Kit-808-Gun/dp/B000ARPULW

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2978

 

[joep]

I bought a Hakko 808 five years ago and it's still working fine. The vacuum pump is built into the back end of the gun, but it's powerful, quite easy to handle and much less expensive than the Pace stations.

Gotta second the recommendation on the Hakko -- Great desoldering tool for the money. I keep one in my shop and one in my truck. It seems to clog a lot less than the Pace benchtop model that I used for years.

 

[spinjector]

Ok thanks guys. The local electronics suppliers have both brands, I'll go take a look.

 

[littlejohn]

Kenglish, did the Navy send you to Keesler for that school, or in - house it? I took int at Keesler a bit before that, and we had a couple of squids in the class. It was a worthwhile class, and it is why I like the precision/pace stuff.