Soldering iron/station

[Marll]

Can anyone that does mods frequently recommend a good soldering iron or station? I don't have my station any more, and just based on of the needs for Turbo repair and mods I'd like to see what people are using these days.

[Chuplayer]

At work, I use an older version of the Hakko FX-888.

http://www.techni-tool.com/821SO888

I've been meaning to get myself an FX-888 for home use. It looks like a toy, but I've heard it's every bit as good as the Hakko 936 which it replaced, and I freaking love the Hakko 936.

[Game-Tech.US]

Then you have to mod it!

[Todd Gill]

If you have the $100 or so, the FX-888 is definitely the way to go.

[Marll]

Sounds like a plan, looks like Amazon has one for about $80 right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Soldering-Station-FX-888-65W/dp/B004M3U0VU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350951933&sr=8-1&keywords=hakko+fx-888

I'll probably get one of these in the near future and slowly get back into soldering and start modding my systems. Thanks for the replies!

[fraggore]

i am using this had it for about 12 years its a work horse.

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equipment/Weller-WSD81-Digital-Temperature-Controlled-Soldering-Station-80W-230V-85-5291/?source=googleps&utm_source=googleps

[SignOfZeta]

If you can get a 12 year old Weller buy it. We've got some at work that are decades old. Word on the current production is that they are total junk.

[BlueBMW]

I love my Hakko fx-888  Its repaired / modded dozens of systems

[turbokon]

I bought a used metcal from a friend and its the best $75 I ever spent. If you can find one for $100, buy it. Heat up to full temp in a matter of seconds and no temperature dial or adjustment to mess with.

[fraggore]

That Hakko fx-888 looks pretty good for the money and that Ozzie guy loves it.

[burn_654]

Excuse my ignorance, but what all would a more 'pro' solder station like the hakko get me compared to your typical iron? Just curious, I've just been using a radioshack 2-temp switchable iron and a helping hands for years without much issue aside from having to get a new tip once in a while. I can understand a more advanced heat control, but is that the main difference?  Is the build quality that big of an issue? 

I'd just like to know more about the motivation to invest in such irons etc.

[Chuplayer]

My Radio Shack iron that I use at home takes forever to heat up, and sometimes I think it isn't even done heating up by the time I'm done. The old Hakko 936 I use at work heats up in 45 seconds.

Radio Shack iron tips suck. I get much more mileage out of the tips I use at work.

If yours continues to work for you, then go for it. Mine did, too, until I used the Hakko. It's just that much better.

[Todd Gill]

The higher end models have a couple benefits:

Heat up quicker
Hold their temperature while in use far better
Designed to have serviceable and replaceable parts like the heater element and etc
Built like something that will last a long time
Better grade tips that won't wear out after soldering a couple dozen joints (hello Radio Shack tips)

[BlueBMW]

The rapid heat up and ability to hold that temp during use is probably the best benefit.  Tip life is far longer than any radio shack tip/iron Ive used.

[Chuplayer]

Oh yeah, holding heat is a plus. At home, I'm amazed by how much heat gets zapped by my sponge. At work, it's a total non-issue.

[Frank_fjs]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24790

They have them in the USA warehouse but are out of stock at the moment, they've been selling damn fast. Compatible with Hakko tips.

Word is that they're not junk. A dozen or so people from an Australian arcade forum I frequent purchased them (at $25 delivered who could resist) and they've all said that they perform brilliantly. I'll be getting one myself once they get stock back in to the Aussie warehouse.

[Chuplayer]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24790

They have them in the USA warehouse but are out of stock at the moment, they've been selling damn fast. Compatible with Hakko tips.

Word is that they're not junk. A dozen or so people from an Australian arcade forum I frequent purchased them (at $25 delivered who could resist) and they've all said that they perform brilliantly. I'll be getting one myself once they get stock back in to the Aussie warehouse.

That's a bootleg Hakko 936.

[Todd Gill]

It might be a bootleg/clone of a 936, but i wonder how well it performs?

I need to replace my worn out cheapo Stahl tools station, and was planning on a FX-888, but this might be a decent cheapo replacement.

[fraggore]

yea that can be a problem with cheaper irons always found that with the cheap plug in irons some times wont heat the solder, good tip is to melt a bit of solder on the tip first to help heat transfer.

[Todd Gill]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24790

They have them in the USA warehouse but are out of stock at the moment, they've been selling damn fast. Compatible with Hakko tips.

Word is that they're not junk. A dozen or so people from an Australian arcade forum I frequent purchased them (at $25 delivered who could resist) and they've all said that they perform brilliantly. I'll be getting one myself once they get stock back in to the Aussie warehouse.

Once the US warehouse has them back in stock, I think I am going to snag one (or maybe 2) of these.
After reading some reviews of this Yihua 936 station, it looks to be a very high quality clone of the Hakko 936.

[vxbinaca]

yea that can be a problem with cheaper irons always found that with the cheap plug in irons some times wont heat the solder, good tip is to melt a bit of solder on the tip first to help heat transfer.

You shouldn't have to do that with a quality iron. It's also begging for cold joints. Just get an FX-888, do it right the first time, the extra money is worth it. Don't buy bootleg stations *or* tips. Got mine from Adafruit for $100 shipped, best money I've spent on an EE tool.

[thesteve]

even a boot can be a good iron.
the official one is made cheaply, just has a high profit margin.
that said, a boot could be crap as well.
someone should buy and test/inspect it.
i have a weller and dont need a replacement

[fraggore]

my weller ws80 is the best iron i have used well worth the cash for it.

[xcrement5x]

Well I wanted something better than my old radio shacker so I put a watch on that boot hakko as well, hopefully get an email when they're in stock again.  Does HobbyKing normally restock relatively fast?

[thesteve]

wow an old radio shack iron.
all my RS irons died young

[xcrement5x]

wow an old radio shack iron.
all my RS irons died young

Hehe, this is actually my second old Radio Shack iron so I'm sure that's indicative of the quality.  I've been looking for an upgrade for awhile and this seems to be a pretty nice option.

[vxbinaca]

the official one is made cheaply, just has a high profit margin.

Funniest thing I've heard all week.


Take bench grinders or heat guns, you don't need to buy a Milwaukee when Riyobi and a hair driver (for heat shrink) works well, but for soldering irons it's different. A decent Weller station or legit FX-888 should be considered the starting point, and nothing less (bootlegs included) should even be considered. Something with commonly available tips, not for replacement but for upgrade/change out.

If OP takes care of his tips, they'll last him decades or more. In terms of tip care, the FX-888 comes with everything you need.

[thesteve]

i agree the tips and heater need to be quality, but the rest is just a simple controller
had a new high end one fail at work due to shoddy assembly.
you do need tip compatibility.
i have had my weller for over 10 years, and the funny thing is the base is just a transformer
the temp controller is in the handle

[goombakid]

I just saw that Fry's has the FX-888 for $69.99. If I had the scratch, I'd pick it up when I saw it.

I've been using my Radio Shack soldering iron forever. I'm thinking it's time to retire it and go with everyone's suggestion.

[Todd Gill]

I picked up a Sparkfun 937b at Microcenter yesterday for $40.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/396467/Variable_Temperature_Soldering_Iron_-_50_Watt

It's a Hakko 936 clone. Even directly uses Hakko tips.

Includes a nice fine point tip. Soft, flexible cable on the iron to the base.

Heats up mad fast.

I have only briefly had a chance to use it, but so far seems pretty nice.

[xcrement5x]

Just wanted to note that the US version is back in stock at HobbyKing:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=19240

I figure I'll give it a try for about $15, but wanted to let others know in case they were interested.

[Nec.Game.head]

All this information on these soldering iron's is really good to know .. I just ordered a Hakko fx 888 early this morning .. Gonna repair my girlfriends TurboExpress .. I already repaired mine, bad capacitors of course .. I was just wondering what's a safe temperature to set my iron on ?? I lifted a few pads on my Express because I was using a cheap soldering iron with a fat tip and I would have to told down the iron on my pcb for long periods of time before the solder would melt ...

[thesteve]

700F is standard (800F OK)
tip must have shiny solder on it for fast transfer

[Nec.Game.head]

Thanks thesteve for the useful information !!!