Desoldering station suggestions anyone?

[Rockhorst]

I'm getting more and more tired of using braid and a sucker. I think my (repair) work would really benefit from a dedicated desoldering station. I'm guessing the heat stress on components would also be a lot less. These things seems to be quite expensive though (much more expensive than a reasonable soldering iron). Any suggestions, cheap (but good) stuff or expensive? Preferably something that is easy to get in Europe. What should I look out for? Features, things to consider for trough hole vs smd etc. I also use both leaded and lead free stuff. I have two separate irons for that, does one need to different suckers?

[madbean]

Hakko FR300 is what I use every day. Requires pretty regular cleaning but otherwise a great unit.

[EBRAddict]

I bought a used 1990s PACE unit with an iron and desoldering vacuum/iron. I forgot what it cost. Like bean said you have to clean it after you use it.

[Rockhorst]

I hate the mess cleaning pumps make...sigh...

[cajone5]

Not to hijack, but why separate irons for different solders?

[Rockhorst]

So the lead doesn't contaminate the lead free joint. Reduces the risk of cold joints, cracking etc. You could just switch tips between jobs (after the iron cools down) but that's a hassle in itself and a replacement iron for my station is pretty cheap.

[pickdropper]

So the lead doesn't contaminate the lead free joint. Reduces the risk of cold joints, cracking etc. You could just switch tips between jobs (after the iron cools down) but that's a hassle in itself and a replacement iron for my station is pretty cheap.

Yeah, I use separate tips as well.  I have two soldering stations, but both can hot swap tips easily, so I don't have to dedicate a station by solder type.

Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though.  I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.

[skyled]

I have a desoldering gun. Iron and pump in one gun shaped device. Cheap and works fantastic. I think I got mine for about $90 from ebay. Just make sure you get one that works on the correct voltage.
I'm pretty sure it's this exact model, except not Polish:
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/AOYUE-8800-Handheld-Electric-Vacuum-Desoldering-Pump-Solder-Sucker-Gun-Desoldering-Gun-Soldering-Station-for-AOYUE/32352102280.html

[Rockhorst]

Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though.  I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.

I've started using Felder Iso-Core Si100Ni+ a while ago. You should give it a try. It's very easy to work with and the joint looks just like a leaded one. Nice flow and reliable joint. It does wear the tip faster than leaded but that's mostly due to me not cleaning the tip enough during a job.

What do you use to desolder SMD stuff? Especially on ICs I always lift half of the pads 

[pickdropper]

Man, that lead-free solder eats tips, though.  I've gone through 4 tips with lead-free while still on the same leaded tip.

I've started using Felder Iso-Core Si100Ni+ a while ago. You should give it a try. It's very easy to work with and the joint looks just like a leaded one. Nice flow and reliable joint. It does wear the tip faster than leaded but that's mostly due to me not cleaning the tip enough during a job.

What do you use to desolder SMD stuff? Especially on ICs I always lift half of the pads 

I'll look into the Fender solder.  I've got some newer Kester lead-free that flows smoothly and makes a nice joint.  Still eats tips, though.  The most recent tip lasted me a month.  I've been soldering like a mad fool lately, so that may have something to do with it.

For SMT rework, I usually use the Metcal tweezers.  I have a pointed tips for removing two pad passives and I have blade sets for removing bigger things with more pads.  I use these for through-hole ICs as well.  It wouldn't work for BGAs or anything that has pads on four sides, but I can't remember the last time I've needed to do that.  For anything like that, an infared rework station is generally best, but I don't own one.

[culturejam]

Hakko FR300 is what I use every day. Requires pretty regular cleaning but otherwise a great unit.

Me, too. Not cheap, but it's the tits for through-hole rework.

[alanp]

Be aware that desoldering stations are not shoe-string affairs, though. Even the FR300 is going to be spendy, to get a new one.

[madbean]

Circuit Specialist has a less expensive handheld desoldering gun.

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/blackjack-solderwerks-bk3090-suction-gun-soldering-iron-combo.html

[Shaggy45]

For those not wanting to throw down the money on a gun I highly recommend this solder sucker:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MJMXD4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

It has a flexible tip and comes with tubing to make more. It works so much better than the plastic blue ones.