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The unit is supplied with three stainless steel wires to be used to clear clogs but
they do not work very well. The stainless steel doesn’t have the ability to conduct
enough heat to melt the clog. The best solution is to get some copper wire of
different gauges to use for ram rods.
The copper takes the heat from the hottest part of the internal vacuum tube and
conducts it to the solder clog and melts it. You will need different gauges for the
three different tip sizes, Small, Medium, and Large that are supplied with the unit.
Another undesirable side effect of solder buildup at the exit point of the vacuum
tube is it will block removal of the solder collection container. Even after the
release button is activated and the back seal pulls away there is not enough room
to clear the excess solder. The best way to deal with this is to insert a small screw
driver between the rubber front seal of the solder waste container and the body
of the desoldering gun. Be careful not to cut the rubber seal with the tip of the
