Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

[brethin]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

Thanks Toasty that looks like what i need. Just wondering how reliable it is and who makes it.

[Toasty]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7789

[ratdude747]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

fixed the sucker, impressed as always. i may never buy the 808 even if i had the money... NOT!

i bet the 808 is a snap to use!

[larrymoencurly]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

The Hakko 808 desoldering gun is around $160 at Fry's, and Fry's has had the Hakko 936 soldering station on sale for $60 a couple of times in the last few months (maybe because Hakko has discontinued the 936).

I've read of people taking the $11 Radio Shack desoldering iron and souping it up with either an electric vacuum pump or by increasing the amount of heat delivered to the tip by wrapping the part above the tip with insulation and cutting the pipe to the sucker bulb and splicing in a short piece of silicone hose to act as a thermal break.

[ratdude747]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

I have never used a desoldering station so I can't attest to how well they work.

I just use desoldering braid it takes some skill to use it though.

If you're serious about a desoldering station in that price range I think the only brand you could afford second hand is Xytronic. That's desoldering ONLY the soldering/desoldering combos are way more expensive.

I'd invest in a good soldering STATION first.

The Hakko 936 is a good entry level station at around $80 while if you want something more advanced with more tip choices you have the digital 70W FX-951 that I use at around $250.

idk. i was using the xytronic 258 last night, (yesterday, i got it a new stand like i said i should) and i was impressed. my job went well. Considering that my solder sucker was out of commission (snapped lock ring), i didnt screw up uch. i solved the sucker problem by putting a sewing pin in a pair of mini vise grips... it was easy as pie to clear solder holes... and the gaming mouse i found at goodwill ($2, bad usb cord) works again! no desolder station needed. i DO recommend getting either a high quality spring sucker (all metal body and tip holder, the vellman high quality sucker is a good one, my model) or a bulm sucker (can be a pain). never used desolder braid, ive wanted to try it but its consumable, which is a turn off to me. i like reuseable.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

Scratch that check this out:

http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/988d.html

Around $299. The soldering iron looks like a Hakko 936 clone the same slender pencil form.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

I have never used a desoldering station so I can't attest to how well they work.

I just use desoldering braid it takes some skill to use it though.

If you're serious about a desoldering station in that price range I think the only brand you could afford second hand is Xytronic. That's desoldering ONLY the soldering/desoldering combos are way more expensive.

I'd invest in a good soldering STATION first.

The Hakko 936 is a good entry level station at around $80 while if you want something more advanced with more tip choices you have the digital 70W FX-951 that I use at around $250.

[ratdude747]

Re: Recomend a Solder/Desolder Station around $200?

i personally like the xytronic 258.

note- its an iron, not a station, but its temp controlled and the tips are high quality. i use mine a lot, maybe 1-2 1hr sessions a week. not to mention they go fore around $30 a pop. id also recommend getting a decent stand for it. idk about you, but for what you are doing, id go with the 258.

[brethin]

Im looking for a Soldering/Desoldering Station for personal use (like maybe a couple of motherboards a month). My budget is around $200 and I am a bit new to soldering.

Basiclly I want to be able to do cap replacements and light work and want to aviod using a solder sucker etc. Any thoughts would be most welcome.