Industrial, DIY soldering & desoldering hand tools

by Vianie Li & Cecile de Veyra

Part and parcel of electronics manufacturing, soldering is mainly done using wave and reflow machines and desoldering with automatic equipment, resigning hand tools to the QC department for crucial backstop processes. But it is in the DIY market, which has also spawned commercial operations offering custom-made electronics, that soldering irons and desoldering pumps have found the biggest draw, according to Fact.MR.

Catering to this sizeable market of beginners, hobbyists and professionals, Chinese suppliers of these hand tools focus on lightweight designs. Their typical range of soldering irons have a rated voltage of 110/220V, rated power of 25, 30, 40 or 60W and adjustable temperature setting of 200 to 450 C. Buyers can also source portable welding tools that can be used without any power supply as they run off butane gas. In desoldering pumps, the choices are manual and electric types that are made of plastic or aluminum alloy.

These products can be customized according to requirement. Most manufacturers ensure their hand tools meet CE and UL quality and safety parameters, in addition to RoHS environmental standards.

The materials used in making soldering and desoldering tools, such as iron, tin, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, PTFE and ABS, are sourced from domestic or foreign companies, depending on buyers’ preferences. Costs rose in 2021 but might stabilize in the coming months. Most suppliers have no plan to adjust their product prices to stay competitive.

Nonslip TPR handle

Cixi Kedell Electric Technology Co. Ltd’s HY-X061 desoldering tool is made of transparent plastic for easy checking of tin level and has a TPR handle for nonslip grip. A minimum order of 200 units is required for delivery in 15 days.

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PTFE handle

Made of ABS, the HY-107B desoldering tool from Cixi Kedell Electric Technology Co. Ltd has a handle made of PTFE for enhanced electrical insulation. The minimum order requirement is 200 units. Lead time is 15 days.

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Lightweight

Weighing just 0.4oz, the CJ-135A desoldering tool from Hangzhou Frankever Electronic Co. Ltd uses a 7.5x0.6in metal solder sucker, 2.5x1.5mm desoldering wick and rubber piston. An order of at least 1,000 units has a 20-day lead time.

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15 to 100W

Available in 15, 30, 40, 60, 80 and 100W power ratings, the HS-060A-C-100 soldering tool from Hangzhou Frankever Electronic Co. Ltd has 110 or 220V voltage rating and 3 to 5min preheat time. It uses a 1.2m-long VDE wire measuring 2 or 3x0.5sqmm. The 1,000-unit minimum order has a lead time of 20 days.

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Leak-resistant oil seals

Shenzhen Atten Technology Co. Ltd’s AT-E210D-03 desoldering tool has a rust-resistant spring, built-in tip, leak-resistant double-lip oil seals and nonslip handle. The supplier requires a minimum order of 15 units. Lead time is 15 days.

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150W

From Shenzhen Atten Technology Co. Ltd, the ST-2150 soldering tool has 150W power rating, ±2 C temperature stability and a five-level temperature control. It uses a four-core PTC heater with a blue LED indicator and a soldering tip interchangeable with this supplier’s T2080, T2150 and T900 series. The required minimum order of 100 units is delivered within 15 days.

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