Desoldering tool - Den-on Instruments SC-7000 or Hakko 808?

[opt2not]

Hey all, not sure where I should be posting this...Miscellaneous Arcade seems good, giving that it relates to board repair (?).

Anyway, I'm finally looking into getting myself a desoldering tool.  I know the Hakko 808 is raved about, but has anyone tried out the Den-on Instruments SC-7000 desoldering tool?
I can get a used one for about the same price of the Hakko 808, but locally, so I don't have to worry about shipping.

Just wondering if anyone here has any experience with the SC-7000, and if I should pull the trigger on it.

In insight would be appreciated as this is sort of new territory for me. (I'm used to using braids and soldapults!)

 

[yotsuya]

The 808 just makes everything so much easier. I don't have experience with the other one, but my 808 is the best investment I've made for this hobby.

[pbj]

Everyone I know with an 808 loves it.  I really wish I had to testicular fortitude to man up and buy one but I always go, "just one more project with the soldapult..."

[opt2not]

^ Yeah that was my last project. I finally got fed up with the amount of time it takes me to desolder things. It's just a big time-sink and my desoldering never comes out as clean as I'd like.

Unfortunately there aren't any Hakko's for sale locally, and if I order one online I'll have to wait a few weeks to work on some of my more delicate projects.  My b-day is coming up fast, and I'm thinking a tool like this would be a perfect candidate for a present to myself.

I never heard of the SC-7000, though I'm not too versed in desoldering hardware, but looking online they seem to fetch a heavy price tag.

[lilshawn]

the Hakko FR-300 replaces the 808 which is why you might be having trouble finding it.

[opt2not]

the Hakko FR-300 replaces the 808 which is why you might be having trouble finding it.

Oh yeah, that's the one that looks like a fisher price toy. 

[lilshawn]

yeah, they are kinda fisher price lookin' ain't they?

Still just as good though. I think hakko went through a image rebranding and everything ended up yellow and blue.

[CraftyMech]

Looks like a good time to pick up the Hakko 808 (previous version, not the yellow & blue) cheap on eBay! I did a quick search and found a couple used units currently bid @ $125, which is a nice price.

The 808 gets used nearly every day on my workbench. Truly an awesome tool, I hope the new blue & yellow version keeps up the tradition of quality.

[opt2not]

Looks like a good time to pick up the Hakko 808 (previous version, not the yellow & blue) cheap on eBay! I did a quick search and found a couple used units currently bid @ $125, which is a nice price.

Bah, US shipping only.

The 808 gets used nearly every day on my workbench. Truly an awesome tool, I hope the new blue & yellow version keeps up the tradition of quality.

Apparently the FR-300 has the same quality as the 808, but with a longer cord, on/off switch, and power light indicator. These things are missing on the 808, and I can see why they would update their model line with these features.

[lilshawn]

Looks like a good time to pick up the Hakko 808 (previous version, not the yellow & blue) cheap on eBay! I did a quick search and found a couple used units currently bid @ $125, which is a nice price.

Bah, US shipping only.

The 808 gets used nearly every day on my workbench. Truly an awesome tool, I hope the new blue & yellow version keeps up the tradition of quality.

Apparently the FR-300 has the same quality as the 808, but with a longer cord, on/off switch, and power light indicator. These things are missing on the 808, and I can see why they would update their model line with these features.

don't forget the fisher price color scheme. 

naw, i digress, i couldn't care less what it looks like...if it turns on when i hit the switch and performs good, i'm happy. 

use a 936 at work (great great great unit BTW)... and the 888 replaces it. (the iron is identical just a different power supply) Thinking I need one for at home too... wouldn't think twice about the 888... irrespective of what it looks like. Hakko is an awesome brand.

[yotsuya]

Looks like a good time to pick up the Hakko 808 (previous version, not the yellow & blue) cheap on eBay! I did a quick search and found a couple used units currently bid @ $125, which is a nice price.

Bah, US shipping only.

The 808 gets used nearly every day on my workbench. Truly an awesome tool, I hope the new blue & yellow version keeps up the tradition of quality.

Apparently the FR-300 has the same quality as the 808, but with a longer cord, on/off switch, and power light indicator. These things are missing on the 808, and I can see why they would update their model line with these features.

don't forget the fisher price color scheme. 

naw, i digress, i couldn't care less what it looks like...if it turns on when i hit the switch and performs good, i'm happy. 

use a 936 at work (great great great unit BTW)... and the 888 replaces it. (the iron is identical just a different power supply) Thinking I need one for at home too... wouldn't think twice about the 888... irrespective of what it looks like. Hakko is an awesome brand.

QFT! I'll never use any other type of soldering iron.

[opt2not]

use a 936 at work (great great great unit BTW)... and the 888 replaces it. (the iron is identical just a different power supply) Thinking I need one for at home too... wouldn't think twice about the 888... irrespective of what it looks like. Hakko is an awesome brand.

That's the station I have too! (936) Indeed, great great great unit.

Well I'm thinking about passing on the SC-7000 unit.  The seller's unwillingness to work a decent enough deal, coupled with the lack of information out there on this unit is making me think I should just stick to the Hakko brand.
I'm going to put some searches together and see if I can find an 808 (or an FR-300) at a decent enough price.

[pbj]

Everybody loves hakko.

Now let's hear about some decent knockoffs?

[RoyalScam]

These are just some random thoughts I have on the whole situation.
Den-On SC7000Z $325.00.  Reverses Air Flow for SMD work.
HAKKO FR-300 $250.00. Is a Hakko is cheaper and has a carry case.
Then there’s this thing.  AOYUE 474A++ DIGITAL DESOLDERING STATION.
http://sra-solder.com/aoyue-474a-digital-desoldering-station/
It’s 145.00.  I've been thinking about getting one of these for a long time now.  The problem is I don’t do enough repair work and completely forget about it until I need to desolder a 40pin DIP.  That’s when I think, “Why the heck didn't I buy that tool?”   My indecision is hampered by the existence of two other units that have this desolder gun (or similar) as part of a multi station setup.  Check out these;
AOYUE 701A++ ALL DIGITAL DUAL FUNCTION SOLDERING AND DESOLDERING STATION $185.00
http://sra-solder.com/aoyue-701a-all-digital-dual-function-soldering-and-desoldering-station/

AOYUE 2703A+ ALL IN ONE DIGITAL HOT AIR REWORK STATION $299.00
http://sra-solder.com/aoyue-2703a-all-in-one-digital-hot-air-rework-station/

From some videos I've seen on YouTube, It seems the Soldering iron on these units looks a bit crap and there is only one port for air on all the units.  That is, if you’re using the desolder and solder irons simultaneously, you forfeit the smoke removal feature of the iron. Not really a big deal but a nuisance if you’re using the 2703 and need to frequently change air between three tools. I think it would also lead to clutter on the bench with those unused hoses not attached to anything.  For me the $299.00 unit is attractive, but I think the 474 single unit and a separate decent iron is probably a better solution.

Regards,
Scam

[yotsuya]

I just used my 808 to recap an Atari AR-II board and get my Centipede operational again. Hakko for the win!

[wp34]

Any thoughts on this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-Digital-Desoldering-Station-Built-/dp/B00ABJ4AEC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1431745669&sr=8-9&keywords=desoldering+pump

I've got some Amazon gift cards and am trying to find something decent there.

[lilshawn]

hakko clone.

stick with your mainstream brand names. (hakko/weller etc.) Don't bother buying shenzhen market knockoffs. You will become sad.

[wp34]

hakko clone.

stick with your mainstream brand names. (hakko/weller etc.) Don't bother buying shenzhen market knockoffs. You will become sad.

That's what I was afraid of.  Normally I'm all for paying more for a quality tool but I'm struggling with this purchase because I don't think it will get used all that much. Thanks for the feedback.

[wp34]

My uncle worked for many years repairing electronics for Sears before he retired.  I saw him yesterday at an open house and asked him about replacing caps on a TV.  He said that when he was working Sears would only provide him with a cheap manual desoldering iron.  He said he had better luck using desoldering wick.  Has anybody here tried that to remove solder?

[yotsuya]

My uncle worked for many years repairing electronics for Sears before he retired.  I saw him yesterday at an open house and asked him about replacing caps on a TV.  He said that when he was working Sears would only provide him with a cheap manual desoldering iron.  He said he had better luck using desoldering wick.  Has anybody here tried that to remove solder?

That's how I first learned in this hobby, but once I started using my desoldering gun, I realized that I would never look back. 

[Slippyblade]

Wick is awesome, but gets expensive quickly due to the amount you end up using.

[yotsuya]

Wick is awesome, but gets expensive quickly due to the amount you end up using.

Meh. I only use wick now to clean up plugged though holes. Everything else gets the gun.