Recommendations on Solder Station/Hot Air... All in one or seperate?

rwgast_logicdesign

So awhile back I was talking about building a digital PID controlled solder station, this is still in the works... the thing is setup using a propeller to PWM a logic level fet and heat up a Hakko936 handle. Eventually I would like to add hot air to this and make it into a commercial kit or product! Here is the issue though, I am finding more and more I need a quality Iron set up ASAP, and I also need hot air for a lot of things, especially scrapping parts! The best part of this is I am finally back to work and making decent money... this is somewhat nice because I can afford to buy stuff again, although it caps the time and effort I can put into searching for scrap parts on old pcbs, and scouring the net for samples to build the tools I intend to use right now!

Here is the issue I have heard a lot of great things about X-Tronic rework stations, there like 170 bucks and come with EVERYTHING even a magnifier and tweezers for pete sakes!

http://www.amazon.com/X-TRONIC-8060-XTS-DIGITAL-SOLDERING-TECHNOLOGY/dp/B00AEAL9XI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1367718393&sr=8-7&keywords=x-tronic+soldering+station

I also see a lot of nice Atten and Auyoue stations out there. The problem is I just don't know what to think about these guys, I mean they are chinese built to bottom price pieces of equitment. I know Andy (NWCCTV) has an X-Tronic and loves it.

Im wondering is I wouldn't be better off buying a Hakko FX888 Digital for 100 bucks, and then shopping for a separate hot air setup? The problem is Hakko hot air stations are $1000 and up! Im not sure what brands to look for as far as quality hot air stations for 200 and under. I was thinking of getting the hakko 888 at sparkfun along with this station they sell

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10706

but I am pretty sure it is a rebadged Aouyue or some other chinese brand.

What do you guys think?

RDL2004

I would definitely go with separates. Hakko soldering irons are very good quality, I have two of them. My hot air system is an eBay cheapo (knock off of a knock off 898D) that works okay, but I really don't use it that much. Certainly not enough to actually recommend it.

edit: This looks like the hot air unit I have - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-1-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-knda-898D-/330915429661

I've never even bothered to plug in the soldering iron on it since I have the two Hakko irons ( a 937 and an FX-888 analog).

frank freedman

If ya got a couple extra bucks kicking around in the rainyday fund, you could always check out Zephyrtronics. That is some cool stuff. Like their paste and dispensers. If things go right, will be trying out their air station and an airbath preheater system soon.

rwgast_logicdesign

Wow Zeph is pretty expensive stuff. I really don't know what to buy as far as a quality hot air set up that isn't 500 plus... I would have thought the one RDL linked to wouldn't have been the best quality but would have expected it to at least pump out air that is hot enough.

RDL2004

The Kendal 898D that I have isn't all that bad, it was well worth the $70 I paid for it. I've used it to remove soldered parts and for heat-shrink tubing. It does put out some hot air but I've never measured the actual temperature for accuracy and I haven't had it long enough or used it enough to vouch for its durability. The included soldering iron is a Hakko knock-off. The same tips that my Hakko 937 uses will fit on the Kendal iron, it also has a ceramic heating element similar to the Hakko.

Ron Czapala

rwgast_logicdesign wrote: »

Im wondering is I wouldn't be better off buying a Hakko FX888 Digital for 100 bucks, and then shopping for a separate hot air setup?

I just ordered the Hakko FX888D from Kimco for $91.35 and free shipping and free cutter.

NWCCTV

Andy (NWCCTV) has an X-Tronic and loves it.

Yep,that I do. I figured for the price it was worth buying the AIO unit. For one, I have limited space and buying 3 seperate units was just not feasable. I really like the suction feature on it. I can pick up small pieces and also Iam not inhaling fumes when I am directly over the part I am soldering!!! I have not yet tested the heat gun as far as how hot it gets. I have some old boards lying aorund so will give that a try and let you know how it goes.

NWCCTV

So I just tested the Hot Air feature on my XTronic AIO unit. It has a max temp of 896 degrees F. I dialed it up to 750 and had a small board with caps, resistors and other parts on it. I turned it upside down and within about 15 seconds parts started dropping off the board. I am pretty sure this thing will strip paint or whatever else needs heat!!!!

SRLM

I've been using the hot air station from Sparkfun, and it seems to work well. I prefer separate units for my tools: "all in ones" never seem to work out well.

NWCCTV

"all in ones" never seem to work out well.

Well, so far so good with the one I bought. Like I said, space is very limited on my work bench/desk so it definately fits the bill there. I have not had any issues and find it to be worth what I paid.

RDL2004

That X-tronic unit looks very, very similar to the Kendal unit that I have. The only big differences I see are the display and the arrangement of parts of the front panel.

Jasonan

rwgast_logicdesign wrote: »

So awhile back I was talking about building a digital PID controlled solder station, this is still in the works... the thing is setup using a propeller to PWM a logic level fet and heat up a Hakko936 handle. Eventually I would like to add hot air to this and make it into a commercial kit or product! Here is the issue though, I am finding more and more I need a quality Iron set up ASAP, and I also need hot air for a lot of things, especially scrapping parts! The best part of this is I am finally back to work and making decent money... this is somewhat nice because I can afford to buy stuff again, although it caps the time and effort I can put into searching for scrap parts on old pcbs, and scouring the net for samples to build the tools I intend to use right now!

Here is the issue I have heard a lot of great things about X-Tronic rework stations, there like 170 bucks and come with EVERYTHING even a magnifier and tweezers for pete sakes!

http://www.amazon.com/X-TRONIC-8060-XTS-DIGITAL-SOLDERING-TECHNOLOGY/dp/B00AEAL9XI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1367718393&sr=8-7&keywords=x-tronic+soldering+station

I also see a lot of nice Atten and Auyoue stations out there. The problem is I just don't know what to think about these guys, I mean they are chinese built to bottom price pieces of equitment. I know Andy (NWCCTV) has an X-Tronic and loves it.

Im wondering is I wouldn't be better off buying a Hakko FX888 Digital for 100 bucks, and then shopping for a separate hot air setup? The problem is Hakko hot air stations are $1000 and up! Im not sure what brands to look for as far as quality hot air stations for 200 and under. I was thinking of getting the hakko 888 at sparkfun along with this station they sell

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10706

but I am pretty sure it is a rebadged Aouyue or some other chinese brand.

What do you guys think?

Hakko, Atten, Aoyue, they all make good soldering & desoldering tools. My favorite combo station is Atten AT8586. It has all the features needed and low priced around $60. You can get it from Ebay here, Aliexpress here, and other electronics chain.