Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Radiocruncher · 9th Apr 2016, 4:57 pm

I have one of these. The tube is glass also. Good tip with replacement filters. I tend to order a couple bags from CPC when I order other bits (if i remember) but i may try the cotton pads before splashing out on a punch. I was wondering what fans have been fitted to these as mine drives me mad if it's on for long.

Graham

Radiocruncher · 16th Apr 2016, 10:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti Pwun

I also replaced the fan for a silent one. That was the first thing I did.

Just wondering what fan you used as mine is a pain.

Thanks

Graham

McMurdo · 16th Apr 2016, 11:14 am

It isn't so much the fan being noisy as more the fact it's operated off the wrong voltage so it screams like a hoover. There's a little plastic box under the cover containing resistors that attempt to drop the voltage for the fan. I omit the resistors and fit a 24V fan which gets about 18V, this works fine. I think mine came from Farnell.

The conical spring variety of gun are the earlier troublesome ones. The latest ones come with a straight, open-coil spring and are superior. The conical ones tend to solder themselves together and they're difficult to empty without a mini gas torch to reflow....a PITA when you're in the middle of an important job.

Ti Pwun · 16th Apr 2016, 2:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiocruncher

Just wondering what fan you used as mine is a pain.

I'd say Kevin's is the better option - I hadn't realised that's how it was being powered. EOL in six months, no doubt! :/

I used a Scythe Mini Kaze 50mm fan (sleeve bearings) and it is barely audible now. It didn't cost a lot but it is a 12v fan, as was the original, so I'm not sure how long it will last if it's running faster than it should.

The (almost) silence is nice, though.

Jon.

Radiocruncher · 16th Apr 2016, 4:07 pm

Thanks for the advice Kevin and Jon. I will have a search about and see what I can find to replace it.

Cheers

Graham

Ti Pwun · 16th Apr 2016, 7:44 pm

Watch out for the nuts that sit in slots at either side under the front of the cover when you remove it, by the way. I have a wooden floor and one of them bounced and was gone forever. I had to dig out another to replace it.

I stuck a strip of kapton tape over the slots when I reassembled the unit so it couldn't happen again.

FrankB · 15th May 2016, 12:23 am

May I suggest using a piece of neon sign glass tubing to make the new tube out of?
It comes in many sizes, and they are about a meter long on the average. Likely your local neon shop tech might even give you a short bit, if you offer to buy him a pint.

9th Apr 2016, 4:57 pm	#21
Radiocruncher Hexode Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Torrington, Devon UK. Posts: 446	Re: Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters I have one of these. The tube is glass also. Good tip with replacement filters. I tend to order a couple bags from CPC when I order other bits (if i remember) but i may try the cotton pads before splashing out on a punch. I was wondering what fans have been fitted to these as mine drives me mad if it's on for long. Graham

16th Apr 2016, 11:14 am	#23
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,271	Re: Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters It isn't so much the fan being noisy as more the fact it's operated off the wrong voltage so it screams like a hoover. There's a little plastic box under the cover containing resistors that attempt to drop the voltage for the fan. I omit the resistors and fit a 24V fan which gets about 18V, this works fine. I think mine came from Farnell. The conical spring variety of gun are the earlier troublesome ones. The latest ones come with a straight, open-coil spring and are superior. The conical ones tend to solder themselves together and they're difficult to empty without a mini gas torch to reflow....a PITA when you're in the middle of an important job. __________________ Kevin

16th Apr 2016, 4:07 pm	#25
Radiocruncher Hexode Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Torrington, Devon UK. Posts: 446	Re: Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters Thanks for the advice Kevin and Jon. I will have a search about and see what I can find to replace it. Cheers Graham

16th Apr 2016, 7:44 pm	#26
Ti Pwun Heptode Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 888	Re: Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters Watch out for the nuts that sit in slots at either side under the front of the cover when you remove it, by the way. I have a wooden floor and one of them bounced and was gone forever. I had to dig out another to replace it. I stuck a strip of kapton tape over the slots when I reassembled the unit so it couldn't happen again.

15th May 2016, 12:23 am	#27
FrankB Heptode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington, USA. Posts: 664	Re: Duratool Desoldering Gun Filters May I suggest using a piece of neon sign glass tubing to make the new tube out of? It comes in many sizes, and they are about a meter long on the average. Likely your local neon shop tech might even give you a short bit, if you offer to buy him a pint.