Fancy Solder Sucker

[geoffrey]

Anyone ever tried one of these "high end" solder suckers? Are they worth it? They look pretty sweet, but for $20 it better be a game changer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0849MCLDW/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=A3E8GX4AKGULPN&th=1

 

[Harry Klippton]

Absolutely worth it. I won't use anything else now

 

[spi]

+1 to what Harry said. Fixing a solder error was always stressful before I had one of these.

 

[geoffrey]

Ok, I'm sold. I've had a couple of stressful moments lately and knew there had to be something better out there. Thanks guys!

 

[DailyDovetails]

I have always used the braid which is kind of a pain. With this you just heat up a pool of solder and then put that in there and suck it out? This might be a good stocking stuffer for my family to get me plus I'm a sucker for made in Japan stuff.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Go ahead and get yourself a set of these too

Stainless Steel Desoldering Needles

Top Quality Parts for Guitar Effects Pedals and DIY Music Devices. Knobs, Pots, Switches, Kits, LEDs, Enclosures, Jacks, Wire, Resistors, Capacitors, Semiconductors

stompboxparts.com

 

[Robert]

I had one of the "knock-offs" and while it worked just as good while it lasted, it didn't last as long as my Engineer SS-02.

Mine was the "FrogBro", not the Vampire, but I suspect they're about the same.

The Engineer is actually cheaper than the Vampire right now.

Amazon.com

Regardless, these are far better than the old blue Soldapullt solder suckers.

 

[Harry Klippton]

FROGBRO

 

[KR Sound]

Definitely worth it. It vants to suck your solder.

Make sure to get some extra silicon tubes for it.

 

[Cybercow]

I got one of those to use when the one I've had for 30 years gives up the ghost. I still have another tip for my current solder sucker. When that's depleted, I'll open up the Vampire Solder Sucker I have in my drawer.

 

[DailyDovetails]

On the topic of Japanese tools and stocking stuffers. I really like this line of pliers https://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-FR-1...718120&sprefix=tusunda+pliers,aps,145&sr=8-18 I think for about the same cost as hardware store pliers they are a better value.

 

[Fizz]

I saw George use one of these last night.. they are smaller than I thought

 

[geoffrey]

I had one of the "knock-offs" and while it worked just as good while it lasted, it didn't last as long as my Engineer SS-02.

Mine was the "FrogBro", not the Vampire, but I suspect they're about the same.

The Engineer is actually cheaper than the Vampire right now.

Amazon.com

Regardless, these are far better than the old blue Soldapullt solder suckers.

Just ordered the Engineer.

 

[Big Monk]

Vampire all the way. Buy 10 ft. of the tubing while you're on amazon and call it a day.

 

[benny_profane]

Mine was the "FrogBro", not the Vampire

There's a vampire named "FrogBro"?

Vampire all the way. Buy 10 ft. of the tubing while you're on amazon and call it a day.

Yep, absolutely the way to go. Don't buy the replacement tips--bulk silicone tubing is super cheap and will last forever.

 

[Big Monk]

Yep, absolutely the way to go. Don't buy the replacement tips--bulk silicone tubing is super cheap and will last forever.

Yup. Bought like 10-20 ft. of it. Actually used some to repair the silicone gas line on my lawnmower when is popped off mid mow.

 

[Robert]

I used the Engineer until it was absolutely worn out. Definitely got my moneys worth out of that one.

The FrogBro looked identical but you could feel that the construction was slightly different. The plunger moved smoother than the Engineer but it was much lighter overall.

I only used it a handful of times and solder adhered to the inside of the nozzle. It wasn't coming out, so in a fit of rage I threw them both in the trash. Guilt by association.

This thread just reminded me I need to order a new one.

 

[spi]

The instructions of the engineer say to never open/disassembled it. I read that after I disassembled it trying to clean it out.

Luckily it seems to work fine despite the warning. Just FYI.

 

[finebyfine]

You can find the same knock off ones for ~$7 on AliExpress for what it's worth. No complaints with mine. The silicone tubing definitely makes it easier to use.

 

[DGWVI]

The Engineer is the best. I do have a couple different knock offs but they're nowhere near as smooth or powerful