Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

[DigitalStone]

Saw on ebay a seller has a bunch of beat up Hakko 937's. Listed at $30 -$40 each. Shipping adds about $12.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hakko-937-Solder...item4157ca426d

Anyone think this would be a good Idea? Between getting a new iron ($80) and a holder ($35) and tips. Add S/H and around $170 total. There would also be time spent calibrating it.

How durable are the 937's? I know Hakko is well know for quality but how long will one last. Thought about getting 2 just in case one dies.

I looked at some of the clones and with the exception of a xytronic 1600 I didn't feel the others were worth risking. Read too many bad things. Been doing more and more work and the Radio shack is just not going to make it another month.

What do the experts think?

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

NO!

I've done a ton of repairs, all using cheap sub $5 irons. I don't know why everyone here is espousing the use of expensive irons when the cheap ones do a fine job. And I get nickel plated replaceable tips for them for like $3 a piece.

[steve2]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I have had several radio shack irons and replaced the tips on them a few times before the heaters bit the dust. They work fine. The advantages of temp comtrolled is being able to set for a smd solder job, turn down temp to save tips and heaters, and the temp doesn't keep climbing til maxxed out. I still plug in the 60 watt weller when I just want to solder a few things, but I don't use it when I need to have an iron on for a long time. It's 7 years old with no problems. Just user preference.

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

Meh, I estimate I would have to go through several hundred tips to achieve the benefits of a station.

[DigitalStone]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I do agree that yes the RS iron has done an excellent job. It is an older model originally bought it to do mods on xbox 1. The tip does need to be replaced but that is after repairing several thousands worth of equipment. Its more than paid for itself. The only thing I'm having trouble with ( and one reason why I thought about upgrading to an adjustable temp) is its taking a bit longer to get the new caps in. Granted the tip it down to a nub. Its only 15 watts and it takes a bit to warm up.

I read in a couple of forums guys suggest a "chisel" tip. I'm not sure if they make it in that wattage for R shack irons or not.
Just checked RShacks site and the 25 watt pencil is 8 bucks. WTF why are Hakkos $80. That must be some serious markup ESD or no ESD.

One major reason for the upgrade/change was I have a led driver project that I want to do and would need to do a couple of SMD parts. Nothing too complicated. Still considering putting together a hotplate.

I know Ratdude747 posts a lot about the adjustable temp Xytronic iron for $20. Maybe I'll just go that route depending on what tips I can find for it.
Have to admit a Hakko 937 for $40 is tempting . Just don't know how long it would last.
Appreciate the feedback from you guys.

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

15 watts is a little low. I use a 30 or 40 watt iron I found in someone's trash.

As for tips... I tried a fine tip on someones 25-watt weller... It wouldn't melt the solder. I recommend a standart conical tip. Just keep shaving the sides to get the dirt and oxide off and keep it in a conical shape.

Yea the newer motherboards post-socket 370 have really small lead holes and they take some skill to get the caps in. Yes, a higher watt iron will help you here, but you can also acquire the skill to to it with the cheap irons. You need to flux the joints and have patience, but I've done it on many motherboards with great success.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I almost bought the 937 but ended up getting the FX-951 since the price difference wasn't that much new. The 937 is now discontinued so no chance getting it new anymore. IMO it's just the 936 with a digital display instead of a manual dial. The FX-888 is the replacement for the 936 no digital display on the low ends anymore.

I used an unregulated Hakko Dash 20W (around 30 bucks) for the longest time before I upgraded to a real station. The Dash blew Ratshack irons out of the water just like the FX-951 was an improvement over the Dash.

It's one of those things where once you use a real iron you won't want to go back to the cheap electronics store crap. If you're doing this for any extended length of time you WILL notice the difference.

I still remember when I left my Dash on for hours (doing board assembly work) the end of the plastic handle would get pretty hot. If the handle is that hot imagine the high temps at the tip. This is the result of no temperature regulation and if you're not careful and leave the iron in contact with the board for too long it will result in damage.

As for why it's so expensive I don't find 80 bucks for the FX-888 a regulated station expensive it's a pretty good deal. Stations aren't just a heating element plugged into the wall. The step down transformer and regulation circuitry cost extra.

Another example my Ratshack DMM was fine until I got my hands on a Fluke 87-5.

Did the Ratshack do what I wanted it to do? Sure but the continuity tester reaction time was horrible, the auto ranging speed was slow as hell (5 seconds), the current measurement wasn't fused at 10 amps, and it wasn't true RMS.

Bottom line with the two examples. If you don't have the cash can you get by with the cheap stuff? Yes but if you're working with your tools on a regular basis better tools are a wise investment. They'll make you more efficient and make work more enjoyable.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

Whoops sidetracked back to the original question.

I remember a similar seller selling the 937s like that when I was looking. The auction doesn't include the iron that plugs into the station. Those will run you at least 70 bucks from Hakko. Since the model is discontinued the parts will soon be too. I looked at replacement irons and the medium one said discontinued. This is probably why this guy is selling them in a hurry to unload them on unsuspecting buyers. Caveat Emptor.

When it's all said and done assuming you find the iron it will end up costing you as much or more than a new station and iron and you'll have a station that's beat up and rough around the edges. It looks like some morons stabbed the station face plates with the hot iron.

If you're looking for an unregulated iron to replace your dying Ratshack without breaking the bank that's well made and has a wide selection of tips (3-5 bucks each) look into the Hakko Dash series they come in 15, 20, and 25 watts. If you want an inexpensive regulated look at the FX-888 the tips are only slightly more.

[smason]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

Yes a cheap iron can do the job. I could maintain my car with a crescent wrench and a pair of pliers, but good quality tools really make a difference.

I've replaced the tip on my Weller station twice in ... thinking... holy shit, over 30 years.
I've gone through probably 20 sponges though.
Had to replace the element in my Hakko, but I got it from a place that left it on 8 hours a day, so no surprise there. Got it free, so not complaining.
I could never go back to a plain old iron.
A lot of my test gear is old too, but good quality.
Fluke 77 from 1985ish , Hitachi scope from 1981ish. Still good as new.
My point, good quality lasts.

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

Yes a cheap iron can do the job. I could maintain my car with a crescent wrench and a pair of pliers, but good quality tools really make a difference.

I beg to differ. My joints can't be told apart from those done from a fancy pansy iron. I can porivde evidence if you so desire.

[DigitalStone]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

WTF why are Hakkos $80. That must be some serious markup ESD or no ESD.

Should clarify that what I meant was just the handle of the 937 is $80. Its $74 on the Hako 888 while you can get the whole station for $6 more
Think I'll dig in the couch cushions for that deal.

FYI the non esd handles (White 900, 907) are only $55.

Been thinking about it most of the day.
Agreed that Quality does last and that was my intent in posting on if its worth chancing it or not. Cost does add up quickly for a complete unit.
Read a lot over the past couple of weeks about what station/iron to buy. Most have said what you guys have hit on here. The right tool for the right job.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice.

[smason]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I beg to differ. My joints can't be told apart from those done from a fancy pansy iron. I can porivde evidence if you so desire.

I didn't say the joints wouldn't be good, just that the job is easier to do.

To continue my car analogy, the old codger that replaced my alternator with a crescent wrench will say that the bolts are tightened properly, and they are.
But once he tries a real 12mm Snap-on or Craftsman box-end wrench, he'll never want to do it with a crescent wrench again.

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

In Linux I use autocomplete commands by pressing the TAB key. It works very well, but unlike the old DOS days, where you had to memorize filenames, number sequences and commands, the luxury of the Linux shell has made me lazy.

[bigbeark]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

If I understand correctly, mockingbird is able to use a 40-watt iron successfully because he applies flux before attempting to remove the caps.

I have a no-name 50-watt station that i used for a couple of months before the tip crapped out. It had a conical tip and took forever to heat the joint up enough to remove the caps. It was very good though for melting the solder remaining in the hole. The tip seemed to have a sheetmetal cover that eventually burned through.

With the Hakko, everything is quicker. It's a well made piece that should last a long time.

I made the mistake of cleaning the tip with steel wool, think it removed the thin tin coating.

I now have the Hakko brass tip cleaner, but I find their liquid tip cleaner much better. I will replace the tip at some point, but for now the tip cleaner helps. MUCH better and quicker with a CLEAN tip!!

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

The nickel plating never lasts long for me. It's really nice while it's there, but after a few heat cycles with the solderer, the plating turns black and I anyways have to expose the very end when it becomes dirty.

I use a little flux, sure. From what I have read about BGA reflowing, it is actually important to spray some liquid flux underneath the chip you're trying to reflow (Of course I'm speaking of non-leaded solder) or else each time you reflow it the length of operation decreases up till a point where you can no longer reflow because the solder will not bond to itself.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

The Hakko 927/937 are GREAT units.
Buying one [or some] would NOT be a mistake..

And contrary to 'popular opinion' the parts are readily available and cheap.

- You can get -TWO- handles here for $30 - with free shipping.
[I bought some from him, they are legit Hakko. Shipping was free.]
http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...ir/lid=2873570
They fit both the 927 and 937 Hakko units.

He also has a wide variety of tips [also legit Hakko] for $1.95 each.
[Enter "Hakko" in the search box in his store.]
-Or a 15pc assortment for $26.50.
http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...ol/lid=2873581

This is the same guy.
http://shop.ebay.com/kitmanlaw2008/m...id=p4340.l2562
Notice he has 10pc sets of tips [all same tip] for 18.99 w/free shipping.
- So when you know which tips you need most you can stock up.
.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I don't know why everyone here is espousing the use of expensive irons when the cheap ones do a fine job. And I get nickel plated replaceable tips for them for like $3 a piece.

That's right. - You don't know....

The tips are $1+/@ cheaper than what you buy AND last longer.
There is a wide variety of tip type options.
They are up to soldering temp in seconds.
.

[mockingbird]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I get a good 20-30 jobs with one tip before I have to buy a new one... What's the big deal?

Tip types? People who use screwdriver tips and fine tips should be shot. A good conical tip is all anyone with some good skill requires.

So what if they are instantly hot? So I wait a few minutes and my iron is hot, big deal. When the iron breaks from fatigue of use, I will buy another for probably less than $5.

If someone gives me a soldering station or I revive a broken one, I won't say I'll not use it. But I have done jobs that require tremendous attention to detail with these cheap irons and have never felt that I needed anything better. Indeed, like I mentioned, once I tried someone's expensive 25W Weller with a fine tip and it couldn't melt anything.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

I had the same opinion.... Until I got these Hakkos.....

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Buying a used Hakko 937- Worth it?

Should correct something.
926, 927, 936, and 937 all use the same handles.
There are three handle sizes that work in all of them:
900S [Small], 907 [Medium], 908 [Large]
--- And also ESD variants of those.
The 937 only lists the ESD variants as compatible although the non-ESD will probably still work.
They aren't kidding when they say small and large...
The one you'll want most often is the 907 or 907-ESD.
.

I have 926 and 936 units.
You know how it is... I had to take them apart to see what's in them...
Their PCB's have the same components, just in a different layout.

I don't see a need for an LED display as on the 937.
The non-LED versions have a light that goes steady or flashes to tell you tip status.
If I ever need another I'd get the 936.
[936 is stack-able on workbench. 926 isn't.]
.