What soldering station would you recommend?

Too_Many_Tools

Returning to electronics after being gone for awhile, I find that I need to buy a new soldering station general/SMD work.

After looking at various reviews, it would seem selecting one is not straightforward...various comments about differing quality problems...so what brand and model of soldering station would you recommend?

Thanks

RDL2004

The Hakko FX-888 is a popular all around choice. Metcal makes some very nice ones, but they're pretty expensive also. I think JBC is popular in Europe.

W9GFO

RDL2004 wrote: »

The Hakko FX-888 is a popular all around choice.

That's what I would buy if I were going to get a new one.

LoopyByteloose

I use an empty tin can that once contained dog food and fill the bottom with pebbles picked up in the street. And my soldering iron is a 30watt cheapo without additional control. And an empty tuna fish can has a copper scouring pad in it for a tip cleaner. Another tuna can holds the solder and flux.

Of course, there are all sorts of options out there that you can spend money on.

Leon

Metcal probably makes the best soldering stations. They are expensive when bought new, but an older STSS power unit can be picked up quite cheaply on Ebay, and will use the later handpieces and cartridges. I've used an STSS with an MX-500 handpiece and an assortment of cartridges for many years.

Tymkrs

W9GFO wrote: »

That's what I would buy if I were going to get a new one.

Third this one. (Hakko Fx-888) - we have wellers, cheapo radio shack ones, and others - but the hakko is the one we like best

Leon

Hakko infringed Metcal's RF heating patents some years ago and was sued. They lost.

Ron Czapala

According to their web site, the Hakko the FX-888 has been discontinued (you can probably still find it).

I recently bought the digital version - FX-888D. This is my second Hakko and I have been very happy with it.

I didn't really NEED the new one but found a good sale price

wass

The Weller WSM1 is by far the nicest station I've ever used but it's crazy expensive::

http://www.all-spec.com/products/WSM1.html

I got the WSM1C (same as the basic version with a built-in lithium battery) for $250 a couple of years ago, maybe they'll put it on sale again:

http://www.all-spec.com/products/WSM1C.html

.......

I see that MCM has this on sale now for $300:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WSM1C-/96-2445

erco

Maybe I should be embarassed that I DON'T own a Hakko 888 for just $87 shipped at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888-23BY-FX888-Soldering-Station-Replaces-936-12-Solder-Station-/170990362664?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cfd1e028#ht_4612wt_852

But TTYTT I use this $15 TRW swap meet cheapie with good results: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldering-Station-/290831377922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b6e6a602#ht_159wt_921

Ron Czapala

erco wrote: »

Maybe I should be embarassed that I DON'T own a Hakko 888 for just $87 shipped at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888-23BY-FX888-Soldering-Station-Replaces-936-12-Solder-Station-/170990362664?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cfd1e028#ht_4612wt_852

A little better price than Kimco but Kimco is also free shipping and includes a CHP-170 Cutter...

Genetix

erco wrote: »

Maybe I should be embarassed that I DON'T own a Hakko 888 for just $87 shipped at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888-23BY-FX888-Soldering-Station-Replaces-936-12-Solder-Station-/170990362664?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cfd1e028#ht_4612wt_852

But TTYTT I use this $15 TRW swap meet cheapie with good results: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldering-Station-/290831377922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b6e6a602#ht_159wt_921

I fixed a Weller EC1002 that a company was going to trash. There was a short in one of the wires to the heating element so I just cut out the bad section and soldered everything back together. I just needed to buy some new tips.

Too_Many_Tools

FWIW...in the past I have worked with Weller stations.

When I looked at reviews of the current Weller stations, I have seen a number of comments of sporadic quality problems.

Any thoughts on that?

Also what brand has the best availability of parts and tips?

Thanks

prof_braino

We had this discussion a while back, can't find the thread, but the conclusion I came to:

Cheapest iron, smallest tip. You want to solder fast, so a hot tip does the job without cooking the surrounding parts. Get in get out. Once you figure out the "quick dab and go", a cheap one works better than a fancy one.

Of course, I'm a hack, pros would probably have a different opinion.

Ron Czapala

Too_Many_Tools wrote: »

FWIW...in the past I have worked with Weller stations.

When I looked at reviews of the current Weller stations, I have seen a number of comments of sporadic quality problems.

Any thoughts on that?

Also what brand has the best availability of parts and tips?

Thanks

Here is the link to the Hakko FX-888D manual - on page 13 they show 29 tips...
http://www.hakkousa.com/AHPDirect/download/UM/FX888De20120913.pdf

Too_Many_Tools

Could you provide 3 links to suppliers that offer those 29 tips at a reasonable price?

Thanks

Ron Czapala wrote: »

Here is the link to the Hakko FX-888D manual - on page 13 they show 29 tips...
http://www.hakkousa.com/AHPDirect/download/UM/FX888De20120913.pdf

Franklin

Here is one http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/hakko/accessories/soldering-tips/index.htm
and another http://www.all-spec.com/products/Soldering_and_Rework%7CReplacement_Tips%5E_Electrodes_and_Cartridges%7CTIP-07/?f=b&x=25&i=3

Too_Many_Tools

Thanks...there have been many complaints of soldering stations being sold with no tips being available.

Typical lack of support that is rampant these days.

W9GFO

Another source for soldering iron tips;

http://www.zeph.com/replacementsolderingtips.htm

Leon

Too_Many_Tools wrote: »

FWIW...in the past I have worked with Weller stations.

When I looked at reviews of the current Weller stations, I have seen a number of comments of sporadic quality problems.

Any thoughts on that?

Also what brand has the best availability of parts and tips?

Thanks

Probably Metcal:

http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products/hand-soldering-systems/tips-and-cartridges/mx-cartridges

Leon

prof_braino wrote: »

We had this discussion a while back, can't find the thread, but the conclusion I came to:

Cheapest iron, smallest tip. You want to solder fast, so a hot tip does the job without cooking the surrounding parts. Get in get out. Once you figure out the "quick dab and go", a cheap one works better than a fancy one.

Of course, I'm a hack, pros would probably have a different opinion.

For optimum heat transfer the tip should be about the same size as the terminal/pin being soldered.

The temperature is important, if it's too high the flux gets burnt off before it can work properly. Use the bit temperature recommended by the solder manufacturer.

Ron Czapala

Too_Many_Tools wrote: »

Could you provide 3 links to suppliers that offer those 29 tips at a reasonable price?

Thanks

The T18 tips - free shipping

http://gokimco.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=hakko+t-18

Too_Many_Tools

I would add proper static protection too...one zap and you compromise the semiconductor.

Too_Many_Tools

Again thanks for the leads to suppliers for tips...it is appreciated.

Publison

I always get beat up when I recommend the Radio Shack Digital Soldering Station. I have had one going on three years without a problem. There was a problem when they first started to carry them with the lack of tips. That has been rectified. Just search for product number 64-053.

It is actually a unit sold by Madell Technology Corporation out of California. Their part number is AT201D.

You can buy it directly for $67.00, but I like to save on shipping and go directley to the Shack.

Replacement tips are available through them also.

Too_Many_Tools

There seems to be love-hate relationship with that station.

And it would seem that Radio Shack originally did not stock tips..really bad move.

And apparently still don't stock replacement handpieces.

If the tips and handpieces are available for a reasonable price, the only downside I see from the reviews is the handpiece construction could stand some improvements...but at the price point they are selling it for it seems to fill a need.

Publison wrote: »

I always get beat up when I recommend the Radio Shack Digital Soldering Station. I have had one going on three years without a problem. There was a problem when they first started to carry them with the lack of tips. That has been rectified. Just search for product number 64-053.

It is actually a unit sold by Madell Technology Corporation out of California. Their part number is AT201D.

You can buy it directly for $67.00, but I like to save on shipping and go directley to the Shack.

Replacement tips are available through them also.

NWCCTV

I have been holding out on giving my opinion to see what others have said. I purchased the X-Tronic 9200 4 in 1 unit for myself for Christmas this past year and I LOVE it. It does everything I need, has a fume extractor and can remove soldered items in less than 15 seconds. A lot of people told me not to get an all in one unit but as of now I am happy that I bought it due to limited space and I feel for the money it was well worth it. The light that comes with it is a joke, but you get a variety of tips for both the soldering iron and the heat gun plus you get extra heating elements.

KT425

I would recommend the Hakko FX-888D it was the replacement for the discontinued FX-888. It's a great all around digital station and I have been very happy with it. It has great temperature recovery and tips are easy to find and buy.

I tried finding where I got mine but found this one... its on sale and free shipping to the US, if that is where you are located.
http://www.gotopac.com/Hakko_FX888D_23BY_p/fx888d-23by-hak.htm