Reddit mentions of GBSTORE Blue 13" Sucking Vacuum Desoldering Pump Solder Sucker Remover Hand Tool

> along with a soldering iron to do repairs.

Totally agree. I would suggest any of the Weller pro series models(Indicated with the light blue chasis like the Weller WP35). Even their most inexpensive model is better than anything I have used off the shelf at Home Depot. Consistent tempuratures and fast heat up.

Additionally, I would also recommend a solder sucker and a flux pen. You could splurge for something like a Haako Desoldering gun which works great but unless you are doing entire board repairs the simple spring loaded ones work fine and costs considerablly less.

The Soldapullt is fantastic. If people havn't used one, then it makes sense that they are steering you towards the bargain bin. Get the Edsyn. The large diameter barrel makes a massive difference in the volume of air that this thing draws in. I likewise had the same concern as you regarding tip degradation so I picked up a couple spare tips when I bought mine. I'm still on the first tip though. For the record, silicone begins to degrade above 300C (it doesn't melt per se), while PTFE's melting point is 326C. I've never had a jamming issue and the one handed operation of flip and bump (it has integral bumper for this) makes it a fast workhorse.

I suppose if you're really trying to save dough, you can get a $6 knockoff:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K72SBWY

or this $9 one if you want spare tips:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U1SFNYE

UK cheapie:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZBUCNE0

Can't vouch for the durability of any of these clones though.

I would recommend starting with a macro pad. They're cheap, so it's better to mess one of them up rather than your nice keyboard. Plus, you get a functional macro pad when you're done.

I use this iron:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28UC

And these solder suckers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K72SBWY/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MJMXD4/

Here are some macro pads, if you're interested:

https://spacecat.design/products/launch-pad

https://spacecat.design/products/soyuz-number-pad-kit

https://keeb.io/products/chocopad-16-key-macropad-for-kailh-choc-low-profile-switches?variant=5603172220958

https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/keyboard-kits/sweet16-macro-pad-white/

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-programmable-mini-macropad-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit.html

If you don't have a solder sucker - I'd really recommend getting this exact model: https://www.amazon.com/GBSTORE-Sucking-Vacuum-Desoldering-Remover/dp/B01K72SBWY

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It makes it SO much easier to repair things when you can just remove all the old solder in one quick go.

So the one that I've used at my job is the Edsyn Deluxe Soldapullt but I've seen some third party clones on amazon for about the a third of the price, and they look pretty much identical and have the same design. I've personally never used any of the third party clones, but I can imagine it works just just as well as the Sodapullt. Here's the one I'm looking at on amazon, and it looks to have pretty good reviews. What's nice about this kind of desoldering pump is that you can 'reload" the pump while holding the iron in one hand and the pump in the other. Just push the end with the spring against the table and it will lock in place until you press the trigger to release it.