Best Budget Desoldering Station.......?

[peAk]

I think the time has finally come to buy a desoldering station. I don't want to spend an arm and leg but I also don't want to waste money on a piece of sh!t.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[dont-tase-me-bro]

for just the gun, Hakko FR301

[matmosphere]

I know it's not what you're looking for but this does the job really well


https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4

And it isn't super expensive

[peAk]

I know it's not what you're looking for but this does the job really well


https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4

And it isn't super expensive

I have that exact one and its great, I was just looking for an actual desoldering gun/station.  I may just bite the bullet and get the Hakko FR301. Didnt really want to spend $300 bucks, though

[peAk]

I think I will bite the bullet and get the Hakko 301

I have some rotary switches out on my Moog Sub Phatty and it's like 8 lugs per switch. I can't afford to fuck it up. Super annoying that something so expensive would have such crappy switches. Seems to be a common problem. Unfortunately, it looks like these switches are proprietary.

I just have to believe that over time having a desoldering gun will pay for itself. I'll at least keep telling myself that

[madbean]

I have an Aoyue that I used for years and it is pretty good. The Hakko is awesome but very spendy.

I can tell you, based on tons of experience, that any desoldering gun no matter how good has the potential to ruin a PCB. It takes little effort to do so. So, forewarning.

[peAk]

I have an Aoyue that I used for years and it is pretty good. The Hakko is awesome but very spendy.

I can tell you, based on tons of experience, that any desoldering gun no matter how good has the potential to ruin a PCB. It takes little effort to do so. So, forewarning.

Can you elaborate, Brian?

I watched a few demos on YT of the Hakko and it seemed straight forward.

What can go wrong? Sucking the pad off?

[pedalman]

EEV blog does a bunch of cheap reviews

Otherwise I usually trust Circuit Specialist

[pedalman]

Desolder a radio shack pcb and you will see exactly what Brian is talking about. Lol

[selfdestroyer]

Pads can get sucked off the FR4.. It can turn into a mess.

[pickdropper]

Pads can get sucked off the FR4.. It can turn into a mess.

Yep, I have an older Hakko and it pulls pads easily.  I tend to use tweezers or a blade tip more often.

[peAk]

Well, I took the plunge and got the Hakko 301

Hopefully, I won't kill any pcbs

[madbean]

You are least likely to do it with the 301. Just remember to not apply too much heat or pressure when using it. And, clean it out regularly. Mine's been going strong for several years now. I think I replaced the heating element after a couple years but that was maybe 3 or 4 years ago? No problems since then other than a rare new tip.