Review on 🔧 YIHUA Desoldering Variable Temperature Function: Precision Electronic Component Remover by Mariqn Carey

Update: The seller contacted me, maybe my lead time was a bit shorter than theirs, so they deserve credit for their follow up. Also, they offered and I agreed to a free unit to use to continue my review. This is obviously very generous and I will try to post updates when they differ significantly. 2 cents: I'm not sure I understand how a review gets 5 stars without describing their experience/testing or direct comparison. to a similar product. I'm sure there is room on the market for a mid-range vacuum desoldering tool that is comparable (though not equivalent) to the Hakko 301. ------------ ----- I was sure the product would do the trick, but after having had some time to use it, I found that my manual solder sucker often works better. Really disappointing. This is my first experience with vacuum brazing. So when I first practiced with the tool I wasn't sure if my technique was poor or if the product just wasn't working properly even though it wasn't working properly. After a lot of trying, I have come to the conclusion that the product is probably not working and has a strange function. I contacted the seller who promised a "satisfactory solution once we have verified your device's proof of purchase". I provided the requested information and then nothing. I tried to remind her again, but nothing. As my 30 day return option approaches and I need a useful tool, I initiated the return process through Revain. My target PCBs are designed by myself and prototyped at home. They are high quality, 4-layer and contain many thru-hole components including connectors, capacitors, resistors, LEDs and more. Pretty typical target for a disassembly tool. For different components, the pins have different widths. For example, connectors have thick, rigid pins, while resistor leads are so thin and flexible that I sometimes find them difficult to fit into a breadboard. Transfer the heat from the soldering iron well to the back of the PCB and into the hole. Even then it wasn't very good. If all the wiring as well as the connectors worked, I'd probably be happy. The product is good value if it basically works and I wouldn't have to rely on my submersible suction cup or solder wick, so I'd be very happy. But unfortunately this is not the case. Thin lead components seem to perform worse. Even filled holes with no components I couldn't desolder with this tool and went back to my submersible suction cup which worked great for the occasion. Following: When I turn on my device, it obviously needs some time to warm up. I set the temperature to the same as my soldering iron and while the iron heats up quickly, the soldering station takes a lot longer. When heated, it shows the temperature. But once it reaches the set temperature and you press the trigger to turn on the vacuum, when I interpret the gauge it complains that it's still preheating. It will actually beep very loudly three times when it thinks it's ready, and the trigger will fire as expected. But there's a very, very long delay between when it first reaches the set temperature and when it beeps to indicate it's ready (and usable). My first attempt took so long I almost gave up and returned it as a DOA. It's very strange that the readings don't seem to reflect his internal assessment of readiness. The auto shut off was an important and valuable feature and the main reason for choosing this make/model. I don't see this feature advertised in the competition so I'm very disappointed that it didn't work. I am stunned by the segregation of duties of the product and the seller's promise of a satisfactory resolution with no follow-up. .______________ Original Review --------------------- Among several or many inexpensive vacuum desoldering tools, I chose this one for three reasons: 1) Auto sleep and auto shutdown. I don't always find myself leaving the unit on when I leave the lab, and like my soldering iron and heat gun, this desoldering station turns itself off after a configurable amount of time. 2) The filter spring shown is tightly coiled and flexible. After watching videos from other products of users sticking a coin between the coils of a spring to catch the solder that the spring filter should catch because those springs are not well suited for the job, I was glad to see a solution to see the one that matched the problem. 3) Buttons are real buttons, not a membrane type. Replacing a key is much easier than an odd form factor membrane keyboard. The station is one of the cheapest in its category. So when they offered me an extended warranty, I spent an extra fifteen dollars to have peace of mind. (external) parts of good quality (I have not opened it) and it feels good. Full Disclosure: Revain offered me a $3 gift card to complete my review of this product. And I haven't tested the function yet. Yes, it's impractical to review the product without using it, so consider it a highlight of a feature. I think the highlighted features set this station apart from others in its class.