I’ve owned an Edsyn DS 017 Soldapullt for probably as long as I’ve owned my Weller TC202 soldering station.
Edsyn claims that this is the original de-soldering soldering tool, and it very well could be. It works great, I’ve de-soldered many joints with it over the years.
A couple of months ago, I decided that maybe this tool could use some rejuvenation. At the very least, I wanted to find a replacement O-ring to see if that might improve the suction. There is a maintenance kit for this unit, but it costs almost as much as a new one! So, I decided to hold off on that.
In the meantime, one of my students emailed me asking for some advice about soldering equipment. While I was searching Amazon for links to send him, I happened upon the Edsyn PT409. I’m not sure why, but Edsyn is selling this model for $10.50, including shipping.
The nice thing about this unit is that it’s listed as “static safe,” whereas the DS017 does not claim to be. Anyway, I joked to my student that I thought that this was such a good deal that I decided to buy one myself. It arrived yesterday. I haven’t actually unsoldered anything with it yet, but it looks like a quality product—as you would expect—to me.
As far as the old DS 017, I think what I’ll do is take the O-ring down to my local hardware store and see if I can find a suitable replacement. The tip is still in pretty good shape, so I don’t really need one of those. If they don’t have something that will work, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Edsyn has a minimum $25 order. Newark Electronics has them, but it looks like it will cost me $10 shipping (for a $1.30 part). I can’t find the ODS310 O-ring on the EAE Sales website, but I can’t imagine that they don’t have them. I’ve emailed them and asked if they’ll sell me one.
Have any of you replaced the O-ring in your Soldapullt? If so, what size did you use?
I have used these many times over the years and they work well.
Were I to buy one today, however, I’d likely get the SS-02 by Engineer. While more expensive, the reviews are all great and you can use Silicone or Teflon tips. I want to try one!
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-SS-02-Solder-Sucker/dp/B002MJMXD4/
Stumbled across your post. I think I have an EREM “Soldavac”. I acquired it new sometime around 1980. I think this is the design BEFORE the EDSYN DS-017. Mine has a blue rubber cover on the plunger and the trigger button is gray. I recall a few years after I acquired this one that the type you show, the EDSYN started to show up (with the yellow plunger tip and trigger). I use mine often enough and it has worn well over the decades.
I recently thought I should replace the O-ring but had difficulty figuring out the dimensions. Using calipers and someone’s post for a McMASTER-CARR part, I arrived at 7/8″ OD, 11/16″ ID and 3/32″ Thickness. The -O-ring should be loose around the collar. I ordered 3 silicon O-rings off of eBay from a vendor in Georgia for US$2.99 (including shipping). BTW: the ORIGINAL O-Ring from 1978 is STILL GOOD. Also, people keep saying to use silicon grease on these and I say “No!”. I’ve never used silicon grease on this and the suction has always been quite good.
Peace and blessings,
JQ
Oh, the O-Ring is a size “115”. JQ