Review on 🔧 Optimized Velleman VTDESOL3U Vacuum Desoldering Pump with Built-In 30W Heater by Steve Jones

I own several hundred dollar soldering equipment and this is the best soldering iron purchase I have ever made! It heats up like a champ, packs a lot of power, and can *easily* desolder *large* thru-hole components, even thumb-sized switches and potentiometers and small parts! Secret? Tin the tip properly the first time you heat it up and treat it like a soldering iron! -- ie Keep the tip fresh with solder while you work. *Adding* solder to the joint you want to *desolder* is a "secret" well known to experts because it keeps the solder joint fresh and fluid, rather than brittle and stretchy, allowing the solder to hold up well flows and the solder joint cleans well when you press the vacuum button. Also, be sure to keep the iron upright to ensure good suction when vacuuming. And I repeat, if you say the iron isn't hot enough, you're wrong! (in 98% of cases). Instead you need to put *fresh flux cored solder on the tip of the soldering iron - spread it evenly in the tip, then place the tip on the desoldering leg of the through hole and the fresh solder will now flow over the metal tip. heat directly into the joint - press the vacuum suction button and voila! You just cleaned the joint perfectly! Repeat a few more times and the through hole component can be easily pulled out! Wonderful! BEST UNDER $100 BUY I'VE EVER made in the soldering iron world (and it's only $10) and I've been at this for a while: Google for example "Recommended Soldering Kit and Tutorials Electric RC Aircraft Guy" , and you can find it Also, this unit *can* be cleaned. Easy cleaning: With the iron fully heated, quickly press the plunger several times. It shoots out solder blobs stuck inside. Heavy Cleaning: The vacuum tube can be removed with some force, caution, and a small to medium flathead screwdriver. Find a video on YouTube.