• The SX-80 can remove solder from both surface-mount pads and through-hole joints.computer board image by Ivan Polushkin from Fotolia.com
  
  Pace, the SX-80 manufacturer, no longer makes the SX-80 model desoldering iron. A newer version, the SX-90, has replaced it. However, desoldering tips are still available for the SX-80 iron. The SX-80 allows the user to remove solder from both through-hole and surface-mount joints. Pace offers three different styles of tips: desoldering, precision and Flo-D-Sodr tips.
  
  

Desoldering Tips

• The standard desoldering tips for the SX-80 work for most general through-hole solder removal jobs. According to the Pace operation manual, the desoldering tips "...are tinnable and provide enhanced thermal performance for thru-hole desoldering on high mass boards."
  
  The desoldering tips available include: Thermo-Drive, Thermo-Drive flathead, Extended Reach Thermo-Drive and Thermo-Max. The inside diameters available range from 0.76 mm to 4 mm.
  
  

Precision Tips

• The precision tips offer smaller inside and outside tip diameters to allow solder removal on smaller joints and surface-mount pads. According to the operational manual, the precision tips, "...feature smaller ID sizes with larger mass for improved thermal recovery."
  
  The precision tips available come with several different inside diameters to choose from, ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.52 mm.
  
  

Flo-D-Sodr Tips

• The Flo-D-Sodr tips provide removal of excess or older solder from surface-mount pads. According to the operation manual, "These tips provide rapid, continuous extraction of old or excess solder..."
  
  The Flo-D-Sodr tips available for the SX-80 include a standard size, plus three precision-size tips. The inside diameters range from 0.5 mm to 1.52 mm.