Hakko FR-301 Desoldering Gun Review and Best Practices

A review of the Hakko FR-301 Desoldering gun, and how to get the most out of it. Links below:

Shopping links (supports my channel):

My SItes:

[gregwx]

Loved the cat fountain ASMR :) thank you for the advice friend. I just got mine... man I loved it, I mean the FR-301.

[surge]

If you can hold the board vertically while you remove the solder, you'll allow gravity to work in your favor. That's one thing I've figured out after a few projects with mine.

[rjgonyer]

Thanks for the video. Why do you add solder to the pins before de-soldering the chip in the demo towards the end?

[azmrblack]

I have the 301 and it was the best money I ever spent. However, it does seem to eat filters, but otherwise it's a great tool I wish I had years ago.

[tallB]

You add a touch of solder to the iron (sometimes) only to help with heat transfer, it's not to do the actual soldering. The soldering is as you described. And no, it doesn't corrode the iron - you clean it afterwards. But I agree about the recessed button - I was looking for a vid that shows the innards so I can modify that. The other thing is that the light should be on the back of the handle and stay on! I'm surprised by that design.

[skinsthewin]

What's the difference between the FR301-81 and FR301-82 models I'm seeing for sale on Ebay? The price on these seems to be the cheapest anywhere, around 220 shipped from Japan. Are these perhaps counterfeit? Price seems really good, maybe too good...

[pentiummmx]

my ZD-915 sucks, i am thinking of replacing it with the fr-301.

[RetroJay]

I want one of these but I am in the UK. Does anyone know where I can buy one and use it on the uk power grid?

[Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

There is no comparison. I use the hakko and wick. Bye bye soldder pump.

[steelcantuna]

Just a good sized used socket or cut off pipe instead of the cheap little "holder."