Duratool desolder gun mod. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G8UWM-MildMartin · 22nd Feb 2020, 2:58 am

The one at work, despite its very low price, is better than the APE, Pace, Litesold/Antex and Weller ones I've used over the last 31 years, in my opinion.
Compared to the most recent Weller, the tips don't seize and shear off, needing a new handpiece at more than the complete Duratool station, and it doesn't burn me.
My tips are to set the temperature to about 680 deg. F (360C) for leaded solder, continue sucking a couple of seconds after wiggling the joint and withdrawing, and frequently holding it with the nozzle upright, pulling the trigger, and listening for a "slurping" as the solder clears from the nozzle and the little tube to it.
And to replace the tip immediately (if not sooner) when it wears and becomes sharp enough to start to scratch the PCB pads.

22nd Feb 2020, 2:58 am	#21
G8UWM-MildMartin Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 827	Re: Duratool desolder gun mod. The one at work, despite its very low price, is better than the APE, Pace, Litesold/Antex and Weller ones I've used over the last 31 years, in my opinion. Compared to the most recent Weller, the tips don't seize and shear off, needing a new handpiece at more than the complete Duratool station, and it doesn't burn me. My tips are to set the temperature to about 680 deg. F (360C) for leaded solder, continue sucking a couple of seconds after wiggling the joint and withdrawing, and frequently holding it with the nozzle upright, pulling the trigger, and listening for a "slurping" as the solder clears from the nozzle and the little tube to it. And to replace the tip immediately (if not sooner) when it wears and becomes sharp enough to start to scratch the PCB pads.