weller de-soldering tools - don't last very long

[pula58]

The blue weller de-soldering pump..Man, these things seem to die after about 5-6 months of use. The trigger starts to slip and eventually won't hold at all.

Anyone had a similar experience? What did you do, if anything, to solve it?

Thanks!

P.

[Blackburn]

I actually can report the complete opposite with my experience. I've had mine probably just over two years and still use it. Maybe you just use yours much more than I use mine. I dig it. It works great for eyelets and gets just about all the solder out of each one. It does start to jam up on you if you don't clean it well regularly.

I have, however, gone through two of Weller's soldering irons (the orange ones) from Lowes. The tips eventually get to the point you can't un screw them and change it out for another. Those seem to corrode much faster than normal. I've since gotten a controlled temp one with a much nicer station and all. After I'm done working, I wipe all the solder off the tip and haven't seen a damn bit of corrosion occurring at all. LOVE this new one!

[jjman]

I actuate mine over and over even when it should be empty. Occasionally take it apart to clean. I thought it was toast a few times but cleaning resolved it.

[dartanion]

Clean it regularly and replace parts as necessary and they last many, many moons.

[LeftyStrat]

I've heard that the classic Weller quality has suffered in recent years. All I know is my variable temp Weller soldering station will have to be pried from my cold dead (or hot?) hands. Pretty sure it will outlast me.

[selloutrr]

I've had mine for 5 years constant use never an issue. I think the weller is a great build.

[VacuumVoodoo]

I just retired my traditional soldering station. Got me a Thermaltronics, same technology as Metcal. Now I'm really in 21st century.

[Structo]

I have tried several brands of solder suckers and the Edsyn SOLDAPULLT III works the best for me.

Replaceable tips make it able to last a long time.

But, you have to keep them clean inside.

Clean off the piston and the inside of the tube, lube with a bit of Vaseline to improve the seal.

Sure they cost more at around $20 but well worth it in my opinion.

Edsyn SOLDAPULLT III PT109

[img:465:79]http://www.edsyn.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/pt109lp.jpg[/img]

http://www.techni-tool.com/330ED306

[Blackburn]

Hey hey hey!!

I think we need to tone down the sexual nature of this thread. We should keep our devices to ourselves and keep the Vaseline on a hush hush basis.

[Phil_S]

I have a Soldapult also. Another model. Their product runs rings around the cheap ones. Like Tom says, keep it clean. I don't use lub. I like mine natural and after years, the equipment is still in working order....ummmm....what was the topic of this thread?

[Reeltarded]

Those are solder suckers?

[Colossal]

Hey hey hey!!

We should keep our devices to ourselves and keep the Vaseline on a hush hush basis.

Those are solder suckers?

(man, coffee burns when going through the sinuses!)

Hahah, you guys are due for exams.

[johnnyreece]

You guys...

I'm with Tom on this one. Got a cheap Radio Shack version a few years ago (I do very little desoldering, figured I'd try a cheap one to see if it worked). It's still plugging along. I've taken it apart a few times to clean it out, and I'm still pretty satisfied.

[Reeltarded]

The problem is that they are all hard to use.

[Blackburn]

The problem is that they are all hard to use.

I guess that's what the lube is for...

What goes in hard and dry and comes out soft and wet??