When I was an Engineer, our collection of tools included the ones required for on-site repair. Hence the Soldering Iron, solder and the ‘sucker’ aka the de-soldering tool. In reality, the latter was rarely used and so, not many had them. So, apart from the Repair Team, I was the only Engineer to carry a de-soldering tool. I was also the only Guy who likes to attend to on-site Phone repairs (unless we smelt cockroach urine, it’s off to the Repair Team). Initially, I was never a fan of the long de-soldering tool, thinking them as clunky, always in the way and I have storage issues in my tools bag (eventually, I upgraded to a heavy duty case). To overcome that, mine was the shortened, metallic version, and activated via the thumb.
It all changed when I was lingering in the Repair Department and witnessed the Repair Team in action. They would hold the de-soldering pump with their left hand, and the soldering iron with their right hand. As soon as the solder melted, the pump went into action and you can hear the plastic plunger going up and completed with a quick rattle of the spring. That was normal. And what they did next, shattered my biased opinions on the these pumps and short of stealing one, I immediately wanted it so bad. You see, once the plunger goes up, it needs to be reloaded by being pushed down until the yellow button locks it into place with a resounding click.
While still holding the pump (left) and the iron (right), like they would put their hands together for a clap, until the last moment where the right palm turns slightly for the clap, only to hit the plunger on the left. And the left hand completes it by pushing the de-soldering pump’s plunger to the right. This loading is fast and when so effortlessly done, it’s even slightly faster compared to using my thumb on the (now) ‘old’ de-soldering pump. And best of all, it is fun to do, which brings some excitement if you’re doing a lot of de-soldering, etc. But that is not all. Because of the larger and longer tube, the suction power is definitely much better, making clean work of the melted solder. This is crucial when de-soldering components off the brittle SRBP (Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper) PCB board. Any longer, and delamination occurs where the copper tracks comes off the circuit board. So, yeah, soldering and de-soldering on these boards has to be fast.
Which brings me to now. While I was looking for a Toy Store (which closed for the Holidays and not updated on Social Media), I came across a new Shop selling electronic components and tools. It’s not much but I saw the de-soldering pump and yeah, it was time to get another one. I still do have mine but the tip has issues where I accidentally screwed it up and the replacement kept coming off. I am not sure about the origins of this pump as it went through a lot of companies before ending up as one of the Pro’s Kit product. It could very well be from Goot but theirs were beige in colour and costs more. But whatever it is, it’s a very good tool and I have never looked back since.
