Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

[digge]

I'm in the market for a new soldering station and wanted to ask you all if you have any good recommendations for me.

Currently i have a 50W Weller that has done me good so far but it has its issues. The screw holding the tip unscrews itself sometime and that's very annoying, especially when the iron is hot. The temperature dial is not numbered so can only go by feel of how warm it really is (yes i could probe it and stuff but who would want to do that all the time). And lastly there is no indication when it has reached the set temperature.

What I'm looking for is a good all round station. Tips should be easily available and hopefully somewhat durable. Good ability to fine tune temperature with a clearly readable display and something that tells me when the temperature is reached. As i do quite a bit of desoldering I'm thinking maybe go up a bit in power so maybe more then 50W?

Money is not a big issue, if a more expensive one is better then so be it, I go more by how good the equipment is for the job.

Sorry for the wall of text, hope i can get any pointers as to what brands/models to look for, or even your own experiences. Did make a search before but they all seem to ask for cheapest one. I'm more after one that will last then cheapest possible.

[smason]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

You can't go wrong with the Hakko FX-888 it's quite good for the money.
I think you'd have to spend quite a bit more to beat it.

Tips, elements etc. are readily available in many places.

[pretorlf]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Hakko FX-888 is a very good value for money. Definately a firm favourate with a lot of people.

Also have a look at the Metcal range and the JBC range of soldering stations. Both are more expensive, but they are both the "Rolls royce" of soldering stations. Very good value and spares are readily available.

Regards
Leon

[retiredcaps]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

You can't go wrong with the Hakko FX-888 it's quite good for the money.

I have one and like it. It is being discontinued, however, in favour of the FX-888D (digital readout).

For people outside of North America, expect to pay a significant premium for the 220V version (widely discussed over at eevblog forum).

[digge]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Took me quite some time to find a dealer selling Hakko in Sweden. Will mail them and ask for prices and stuff. However since its a company mainly focusing on big expensive soldering ovens and stuff im guessing they aint cheap. Will have to w8 and see, no prices listed on their page.

Isnt Hakko that popular in Europe or how come noone of the big sellers have them, like farnel or rs or something?

As for the JBC i just get blinded by all the options on their page, wouldnt know the difference between all of them so if you have any model to recommend im all ears

[Per Hansson]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

I'm looking at the Weller WS-81 myself, part number 4319-0107 in the Luna catalog

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Isnt Hakko that popular in Europe or how come noone of the big sellers have them, like farnel or rs or something?

Hakko and Europe is a confusing story all together.

The 220V models looks to have incredibly high pricing compared to 110V versions.

Second problem, there is lots a fakes on ebay.

Third problem, the mother company does not care to organize their distribution network.

Fourth problem, why to give faith in to something that it does not worth it.
Are you living with the hope that you will get a genuine Japanese heat element?

This is the only attraction in my eyes, which does not worth the risk about getting it.

[mikebw22]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

I've used this one for years and has worked well for me. When I bought it, it was $79. Heats up quick and is digital. Made by Xytronic-usa.
http://www.electronix.com/ceramic-el...n-p-11021.html

[pretorlf]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Hi Digge,
If you want to know more about the JBC range of stations, I would suggest you go over to the Eevblog (Dave Jones's site) and do a search there for JBC. I know some of the members on that site that actually ows and uses JBC equipment. The one guy called "Kibi" do own a station and I am sure he will be able to answer any questions you might have regarding the equipment. I myself can only drool to be able to own such a good station, but every report sofar that I have read was very positve on the JBC Stations.

As for the Hakko, I think Kiriakos have summed it up beatifully. The 220V versions are much more expensive than their 120V counterparts. Also there are a lot of fake sellers on fleabay, so you must make pretty sure that if you go that route ,that you at least buy an original Hakko and not a fake one.

Regards

Leon

[japlytic]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Mine is a Jaycar TS-1564 (48 watt), and it takes Weller-style barrel tips and rated for lead free work.
And I could not fault it.

[sam_sam_sam]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

I've used this one for years and has worked well for me. When I bought it, it was $79. Heats up quick and is digital. Made by Xytronic-usa.
http://www.electronix.com/ceramic-el...n-p-11021.html

I have them for about four years or so

I have two of these unit and they are very good until you have problem with the temp controller

Both of them have the same problem where you have to raise the temperature to 800* F to be able to solder with it

I had to replace all caps and readjust all pot to get it to work at 400 *F the way it should

[petarmiloseski]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

I'm in the market for a new soldering station and wanted to ask you all if you have any good recommendations for me.

Currently i have a 50W Weller that has done me good so far but it has its issues. The screw holding the tip unscrews itself sometime and that's very annoying, especially when the iron is hot. The temperature dial is not numbered so can only go by feel of how warm it really is (yes i could probe it and stuff but who would want to do that all the time). And lastly there is no indication when it has reached the set temperature.

What I'm looking for is a good all round station. Tips should be easily available and hopefully somewhat durable. Good ability to fine tune temperature with a clearly readable display and something that tells me when the temperature is reached. As i do quite a bit of desoldering I'm thinking maybe go up a bit in power so maybe more then 50W?

Money is not a big issue, if a more expensive one is better then so be it, I go more by how good the equipment is for the job.

Sorry for the wall of text, hope i can get any pointers as to what brands/models to look for, or even your own experiences. Did make a search before but they all seem to ask for cheapest one. I'm more after one that will last then cheapest possible.

Soldering station WELLER is very good one,however the perfect one is ADCOLA 100 (50w),there are no any problems with that station using long life soldering tips (PLATO).

[digge]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Bringing this thread up again cause im close to make my final descition and want some input.

Im leaning towards a JBC unit, more specifically the CD-2BC (or CD-1BC for you 110V ppl ). Does anyone own one or at least have used one and can tell me anything about how it performs/feels? Also how good are the tips, will they last long?

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Also how good are the tips, will they last long?

Such questions does not make sense, due the fact that it depents on your skills and tecniques used in soldering.

[digge]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Such questions does not make sense, due the fact that it depents on your skills and tecniques used in soldering.

It does make sense. This is hardly the first station anyone would buy, and you could compare with whatever station you were using before. So relative to whatever else you used it makes a lot of sense to ask.

[woodscroller]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

Well, I'm back! Whether or not I was missed, matters not!!!

At any rate, can we revisit the topic of soldering stations? I'm ready to buy one, more than just an iron but, not cost more than the gold that used to be at Fort Knox.

That Hakko looked good but, IIRC, I've seen somethings that looked a little more traditional, even had hot air, for about half of the Hakko's

Any further suggestions or recommendations?

$$ - 50-100 bucks 'should' be suffecient - no?

Such questions does not make sense, due the fact that it depents on your skills and tecniques used in soldering.

One can learn how to solder, properly. But, one also may want to know more about the difference between a good tip... and a bad one. Funny, you'd think an ego-centric electronics guy wouldn't mind sharing some 411. Just saying.

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

One can learn how to solder, properly. But, one also may want to know more about the difference between a good tip... and a bad one. Funny, you'd think an ego-centric electronics guy wouldn't mind sharing some 411. Just saying.

Please do for me the favor to retype your message in Greek, your lingo is far from basic English that some one could learn is a school.

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

It does make sense. This is hardly the first station anyone would buy.........

Regarding choices there is much more in every country, but you do get easily lost with them because they are re-branded with 50 names at list worldwide.

Either way this five layers PCB from motherboards requires a 90W soldering station so to remove those caps from them, those Hakko looking copies are not powerful enough.

[tron]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

they last long without
the required tinning,
but its a good
practice to
tin the tip
after
each use


and the jbc
station is
very sturdy and comfortable

Bringing this thread up again cause im close to make my final descition and want some input.

Im leaning towards a JBC unit, more specifically the CD-2BC (or CD-1BC for you 110V ppl ). Does anyone own one or at least have used one and can tell me anything about how it performs/feels? Also how good are the tips, will they last long?

[Agent24]

Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?

You get what you pay for. Cheap is cheap.

Unless it's second hand, if it's from eBay\China it's probably fake.