Author Topic: advices for a new soldering station (Read 9054 times)

_ROBERTO_ · « **on:** April 15, 2014, 11:46:04 am »

Hi to everyone!
I apologize in advance for a new thread similar to Others, i can delete it if necessary

I introduce myself: I'm Roberto and i'm from Italy. I'm a student and a fan of technology, looking for a good soldering station for 2/3 months to use for hobby that should last many years.
I would take it used and budget max 200€.
I've read about:

jbc
metcal/oki/thermaltronics
weller
ersa
pace
hakko...

Jbc seems to be the best, but they cost about 250€ on ebay --> i can find a like new jbc cd 2bb for 220€ shipped, but it's too expensive

Hakko are expensive in Europe, but i can find a fx888 for 130€ new.

Ersa analog 60 costs 140 shipped and seems to be better than rds80. The minimum price for ersa 2000a is 150€.

About weller i can find only the older models, in general are expensive.

Pace is hard to find there (interesting the many tools avaible with mbt series)

About metcal i found a mx500 with handpiece and desoldering gun for 170€ shipped, but was used for industrial purpose (...and i'm worried about usury)

What is the best soldering station (also used but that i can find in good condition) for this budget?

Thank you and sorry for my bad english

Roberto

GreyWoolfe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2014, 12:02:15 pm »

Roberto, there is nothing wrong with your English, don't worry about it. As a Hakko 936 owner, I would vote for the FX-888D if you want to keep your budget under control. This way you have money to buy an assortment of tips. You can get away with the cheap Chinese tips but they won't last as long as genuine Hakko tips. I would love to have a JBC or Metcal, but I can' afford them either

. If you are planning to solder large wires together or components on large solder pads, make sure to include a tip of about 3.2mm in your assortment. My Hakko takes about 30 seconds to come to temperature and has a reasonably quick thermal recovery time. I think you will enjoy it. You do realize that you will probably get 20 eevBees's giving you 30 different suggestions.

ehler · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2014, 12:05:26 pm »

I can only speak of personal experience, but on a similar budget I got an Oki Metcal PS-900. I'm very happy with the result. Easy to change the bit, heats up in seconds. It doesn't have a temperature dial, others will have to advise on the necessity of temperature control for hobby electronics.

_ROBERTO_ · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2014, 08:40:58 pm »

Quote from: GreyWoolfe on April 15, 2014, 12:02:15 pm

You do realize that you will probably get 20 eevBees's giving you 30 different suggestions.

Ahahah you're right
About hakko, i'm warried about clones and the research of tips.
Indeed i was attracted by the metcal or maybe i can take an ersa 2000a with tech tool for 135€...

Teledog · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2014, 10:14:21 pm »

I'd say it depends on your use.
if you're just doing through-hole & the odd household repair, almost any station would do (Weller WTCPT is a great basic workhorse, interchangeable tips).
For finer stuff 0402 & 0.3mm pitch I'd look for a JBC with the 030 tips.
Keep looking on eBay.com Just grabbed 2 JBC AD 2700s this morning ($175 each).
The US sellers don't always have items listed for other countries (eBay.it, eBay.ca, etc.)
It's sometimes difficult to message the US seller to see if they will, in fact, ship out of the US (eBay.com often tries to prevent international messaging, in order to coerce US sellers to use their Global Shipping scam).
Good luck and happy hunting!

miguelvp · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2014, 02:07:40 am »

Correct me if i'm wrong, but a friend of mine has a metcal, and he has to replace tips often, also you need different tips for different temperatures.
And they are not cheap (the tips yet alone the station).

Monkeh · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2014, 02:10:06 am »

Quote from: miguelvp on April 16, 2014, 02:07:40 am

Correct me if i'm wrong, but a friend of mine has a metcal, and he has to replace tips often, also you need different tips for different temperatures.
And they are not cheap (the tips yet alone the station).

He's doing something wrong.

And yes, the tips are fixed temperature. Why do you need to change temperature all the time?

theatrus · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:01:11 am »

A used Metcal is a great deal. The tips last forever.

Teledog · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:21:16 am »

Always used #8 (800f) tips in the Weller WTCPT -smaller tips for the through hole, the large chisel for removing/installing tin RF shields & large wicking jobs
Always ran the variables (Weller and JBC) at ~800F
Hot & fast does the job! {don't be texting while soldering!}
Use a clean wet sponge, lots of rosin flux and tin/lead {yes, lead} 60/40 type rosin core solder, and NEVER no-clean, acid or this week's other "trendy" crap. (have some ventilation, BTW!)
Always gob the tips up with fresh solder when shutting the units down.
Rarely ever replaced tips,..except when co-workers dropped them - tip down on the floor!
..have to say I'm not a big fan of Metcal....couldn't give me one for free, but I'm a JBC snob

beginner · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2014, 08:25:49 am »

I am a beginner but have recently got myself the FX 888D and done a little work with it, finding it a breeze to use. Can't really compare to anything else as I've previously only used the straight plug in or butane irons. Can say however I'm impressed with the build quality and it's giving me no issues even with my low skill. if it fell out the window I'd buy another one without hesitation.

ciccio · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2014, 09:54:29 am »

You can buy an original Hakko station from the Italian distributor :

http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko_fx-888d

Best regards

electronics man · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2014, 10:13:16 am »

How about something from xytronic, there soldering stations are very well built, I have one and I love it

pallisi · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2014, 08:51:59 am »

I am also in the same situation, trying to find a good soldering station (not for much smd work). I have heard, but I am not very sure that if the station is not made for 220V you will hear a small sound from the transformer.

Additionally, I would like to ask if it easy to find soldering tips for Hakko in europe.

ErikTheNorwegian · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2014, 09:16:33 am »

I have for one year used a station from these People. Great service, very good pricing.
I can recomend them fully. Got a US shop also.

http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/soldering?cat=47

Ps If you buy for 50 pound, you get a free DMM, but remember to check it out during ordering.

_ROBERTO_ · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2014, 05:09:27 pm »

Thank you for replies!
I'm hunting...

By the way, a CHAUVIN ARNOUX 5220 can be a good multimeter for about 40€?

sorry for the many questions, I'm starting from scratch and I'd like to buy good equipment

linux-works · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2014, 05:40:57 pm »

metcal mx500 user here. recently bought one used on the bay. can't say enough good things about it! got a 'starter tip' pkg from a friend but you can find many tips used and new.

I used most of the irons over the last 40 or so yrs. did not try metcal until just this week. now, I won't go back unless I have no choice or am at a friend's house

if you are starting out, so much the better: don't waste money on middle steps. go right for the best; and used mx500's can be affordable and the tip selection is *heaven*.

nanofrog · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2014, 08:07:39 pm »

For soldering stations, I'm of the camp that if you absolutely know you're going to stick with it, save up and buy a top notch station.

Worth checking into to see if there's a trial/demo you can use before making a final decision, as at the top end, it's the small details that make the difference IME (i.e. comfort and convenience more than raw performance, as they all can make good joints).

wraper · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2014, 10:26:22 pm »

+1 vote for i-con nano. I personally own i-con 2. But i's little brother nano will offer very similar performance as handpiece is the same, except color. As in Europe Hakko is expensive, you will get completely different class soldering station for a similar price.

nanofrog · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2014, 10:37:33 pm »

Quote from: pereczes on April 25, 2014, 09:46:18 pm

I am happy that I stopped at the price of 170 Euros and bought the Ersa I-con Nano.

I'm with wraper; better than the entry level Hakko, and cheaper than JBC or Weller (EU pricing), so it makes a nice sweet spot regarding value.

_ROBERTO_ · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2014, 07:29:37 pm »

Hi to everyone!
Finally i bought these objetcs: Gossen Metrahit 28s and Oki mfr 2200!
Can you suggest me guides, tricks and important threads on the forum for a good soldering?
Thank you for your disponibility!

nanofrog · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2014, 08:32:27 pm »

Quote from: _ROBERTO_ on August 01, 2014, 07:29:37 pm

Hi to everyone!
Finally i bought these objetcs: Gossen Metrahit 28s and Oki mfr 2200!
Can you suggest me guides, tricks and important threads on the forum for a good soldering?
Thank you for your disponibility!

Couple of Training Video Series' on YouTube to get you started:

Basic Soldering Lessons 1 - 9, (by Pace)
*EXPERT LEVEL* Soldering Tutorials (by TTC Avionics, #1 - 5)

There's other threads on this, which will have other useful links as well. Particularly "How To Solder" type documents from solder equipment & solder manufacturers.
Weller: Better Soldering (direct .pdf link)
OKi/Metcal
Lead-free Hand-soldering – Ending the Nightmares, by Kester (.pdf)
SOLDERING TIPS, by Tom Hammond, NØSS (.pdf)

_ROBERTO_ · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2014, 09:55:29 am »

Thank you!

Now I read with calm

nanofrog · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2014, 08:44:53 pm »

Quote from: _ROBERTO_ on August 02, 2014, 09:55:29 am

Thank you!
Now I read with calm

You're welcome, and enjoy.

Also, why not make some popcorn, sit back, and watch the videos?

Pure electronics geek porn right there...

MrJohnnny · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2014, 09:13:11 am »

That Pace training videos are awesome, even though they are old

If I have nothing to do, I usually watch them again


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Author Topic: advices for a new soldering station (Read 9054 times)

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