New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

[budm]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

I wonder what the seller will say this time. This makes me worry about my Hot air work station that I bought from them also.

[lookimback]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Well, I have a $180 paperweight again. This time the heating element burned out. Haven't used it more than 6 times. Don't anyone waste their money on one of these. They are absolute garbage.

[keeney123]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

If manufacturer wants to keep selling them they will have to keep their customers happy by making sure they work. Sounds like the seller is a honest company. I worked with some very good Chinese Engineers and Micro-biologist and I have come across a very few that just do not know what they are doing. I guess that is life, as Forest says, "it's like a box of chocolates."

[tibimakai]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Lucky me. Tequipment sent me, an abandoned cart reminder. On 03/14, the price was $234.95 and the eevblog discount of 14.10, free shipping, no tax and the total is $220.85.
Now, the price is $249.95.

[tibimakai]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

I have learned my lesson, with these Chinese tools. Thank you, but no thank you.
I rather, save up a little bit more and get the good tool.
I'm about to get the Hakko FR300. I rather pay $50 more and get a good tool, with improvements too.
There is a eevblog coupon code as well, that can save you a couple of bucks.
If I remember well, the FX888 used to have some stickers that you can apply over the main unit, no?
http://www.bdent.com/hakko-fx888-rc-...-wmhoCpLLw_wcB
I actually, like the blue/yellow theme.

[lookimback]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Hopefully, it works out for you. I've purchased from SRA Solder in the past - good company.

I just wish they sold Hakko products.

[capkid]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Update: I contacted them on the 15th and they didn't give me any hassle at all. They offered me an exchange, and considering all the good reviews on these, I decided I'd take a chance. I got an email the next day from UPS stating that a return label was being sent to me. To my surprise when I went to pick it up on Friday, it was not only the return label but also the replacement unit. The new one has more suction than the original one ever did. I've been using it all weekend with no issues. For now, I'm going to say I'm happy with the quality of it, but better quality control is clearly needed to prevent defective units from being sold. As for SRA-Solder.com and their eBay store, I highly recommend them.

Hopefully, it works out for you. I've purchased from SRA Solder in the past - good company.

[lookimback]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

The Chinese translation of 'Quality Control' is 'Pot Luck'...

A truer statement has never been spoken.

[Agent24]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

The Chinese translation of 'Quality Control' is 'Pot Luck'...

Good to hear it's sorted though. Will be interesting to see how much life you get out of this one.

[lookimback]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Update: I contacted them on the 15th and they didn't give me any hassle at all. They offered me an exchange, and considering all the good reviews on these, I decided I'd take a chance. I got an email the next day from UPS stating that a return label was being sent to me. To my surprise when I went to pick it up on Friday, it was not only the return label but also the replacement unit. The new one has more suction than the original one ever did. I've been using it all weekend with no issues. For now, I'm going to say I'm happy with the quality of it, but better quality control is clearly needed to prevent defective units from being sold. As for SRA-Solder.com and their eBay store, I highly recommend them.

[capkid]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

i had a weller ds80, the cleaning is always a problem on vac tools.

to get the flux and other crap out of the end, use a drill-bit that is smaller than the hole when it's cold.
and if you use it a lot, empty the collector and inspect the filter atleast once a day.

Yeah, I vaguely remember my attempt with a drill bit - been awhile, and it didn't work well. I bought a drill press last year, so I might try using it if the issue comes up again.

[Agent24]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Depends if you opened it or not, I suppose. Might have to, to do it properly (like around switches etc). But like most companies they'd probably use any excuse they could to get out of honoring the warranty.

You'd need something like this I guess: http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

[keeney123]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

One could always get artistic and paint the Hakko the color they like, but would check with the company first to find out if that would void the warranty. It should not as it is only cosmetic.

[retiredcaps]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Yes, fortunately I bought it from a US seller.

That is fortunate. Well, send them an email and point to this thread as evidence ASAP so you can stay within the 30 day warranty period.

[lookimback]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

Did you buy this from an USA seller or China seller? If the latter, shipping the unit back to China might cost you quite a bid especially if you need a tracking number and signature to show it arrived back to the seller. Otherwise, the seller can claim they never received it.

Yes, fortunately I bought it from a US seller. I almost didn't, but I decided I wanted it fast. I bought it from SRA-Solder on eBay.

[Agent24]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

I might be the only one here who likes the FX-888 blue/yellow color scheme and the shape doesn't bother me at all.

Each to their own, I guess. Enough people must be OK with them considering how many they've sold. I know I won't get one though.

[Agent24]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

the 888 was made in blue/yellow, silver, and blood-red among other colours.
i wish my chinese base looked like someone had been killed over it instead of being bright blue!

Well if you can somehow manage to knock off the CEO of Vestel with it you'll get your wish and do the world a favour too...

[retiredcaps]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

The colours are OK on their professional series, but I think the FX-888 is awful due to the shape. If anything looked like a kid's toy it would be the FX-888, based on shape alone. The colours do not help.

I might be the only one here who likes the FX-888 blue/yellow color scheme and the shape doesn't bother me at all.

It goes well with my yellow/grey multimeters.

I was going to buy a clone, but Dave's (eevblog) teardown convinced me otherwise to spend a few more $$$ for quality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtlN0b-gkic

[retiredcaps]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

The seller has a 30 day return policy, so I think I'm good.

Did you buy this from an USA seller or China seller? If the latter, shipping the unit back to China might cost you quite a bid especially if you need a tracking number and signature to show it arrived back to the seller. Otherwise, the seller can claim they never received it.

[stj]

Re: New tool, Aoyue 8800! Desoldering just got easy!

the 888 was made in blue/yellow, silver, and blood-red among other colours.
i wish my chinese base looked like someone had been killed over it instead of being bright blue!