For The Solder Extractor

I use a manual vacuum solder extractor or sucker with the teflon tip. It can be a handy tool, but here is a modification that can enhance it's performance. It involves the addition of a soft tip made from 4mm silicone tubing. The tubing resists heat and can be brought into contact with a circuit board pad or a knot of wires and make a much cleaner extraction. I use a small diamond file to rebate the teflon tip, with a slightly smaller diameter at the extractor end and cut a piece of tubing to go on the end that is long enough for the push out rod to come out at the tubing opening. I then put a drop of superglue on the rear of the tubing. It helps hold it on the teflon tip when pushing the debris through. The tubing can be found at auto performance shops and on Ebay.

That's a good idea. Seems I wear my tip down over time.