Anyone have one of these desoldering irons?

Xytronic D1-3


Seems like a very nice design; I have something like it from Radio Shack, using a rubber bulb, but this one should develop a lot more suction. Better than juggling a separate solder sucker and iron.
I've heard it's discontinued from the manufacturer though, according to Circuit Specialists.

I can not get the website or photo to develop, but I too have one of those bulb type units from radio shack. I have only used it a few times and bought it as they had a kit one day.

Years ago, a very similar one. The path from tube to pump was too long IMO, it never worked half as well as the regular iron and (separate) pump.

And several Pace (brand name) machines with powered pumps, auto cycles, and so on over the years. When in 'fine tune' such machines are true wonders for sure, but hardly what's called for for changing the occasional part. Even if they didn't cost hundreds of dollars (some needing compressed air).

For sure the type of pump shown, where you need to use your thumb can become a PITA (or 'thumb', really...) if used more than a little bit. I've used the exposed plunger type and cocked it against my leg. By the time the iron has the next joint 'hot enough to suck out', you can quickly rotate it around and stab the end down on your leg until it clicks. Say one joint every two or three seconds. Your thumb never leaves the trigger. Eventually you pull enough solder to gum things up and you need to stop to clean it out, but you can hear change in the sound before this becomes a problem and plan your stop.

If it doesn't clear the hole, *add more solder* and go again.

Cheaper, easier to use. A roll of 'solder wick' and you're good to go.

Doug Owen

What Doug said.

Desoldering pumps are not as necessary for one-off work, especially with the amount of SMT being used nowadays. I still have a Pace rework station in the basement, but it has not been turned on in over 5 years.

Yeah, I checked with the manufacturer, and they said the price is $35 now, rather than the $15.95 that CS listed it for. So, the regular pumps or solder wick would be the better way to go.

I have one that looks exactly like it. Mine was marketed abt 15 yrs ago by Paladin electronic tools. On handle, front metal plate, it says Solder Scooter. I have never used it but it has good suction.

I normaly use a Endeco bulb type desoldering iron with a couple feet of plastic tube between the bulb and iron. This way I use my foot on the bulb, and there is less movement of the iron on delicate operations.

my radioshack one looks like a soldering iron with an enema attached to it.