Hi there, Beginner looking at Soldering Stations & other tools

[LeWidget]

Hey guys,

I'm a complete beginner with electronics, but have had an interest over the last few years & decided I might make a start . I've also made an intro over at another forum too (Austech) but decided to branch out to other places.

My interests at this stage are primary hobby related, I'd like to eventually get into model building (those plastic kits) but modify them with LED lights , as-well as repairing monitors/tv's & other smallish electrical devices.

I'm currently in the process of getting my tools together, but am currently at a crossroad for choosing a soldering station. :\ My current choices are either,

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ATTEN-HOT-AIR-GUN-SOLDERING-REWORK-SMD-STATION-AT8586-3-Nozzles-SYDNEY-WRT-/261267782623?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3cd4c5fbdf&clk_rvr_id=520373349431

or

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-In-1-Soldering-Iron-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Rework-Station-YH-852D-/380663190785?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item58a14b5501&clk_rvr_id=520371860664

I know they're Chinese & not the greatest, but I'm willing to accept that as at this stage I don't think I would use it as often as I would if I were more experienced & didn't feel like spending more until I atleast had more experience.

My question is, is there much difference between the 2x stations ? They're also both HAKKO clones (in some way?) so their tips would be usable...or am I mistaken ??

I will be ordering some other tools shortly (solder pump, wick, wire etc..)

Looking forward to feedback & learning from you guys ,

Kind Regards,

[Rigby]

I've seen these on eBay before.  I've been poking around these forums a great deal lately, trying to absorb whatever I can, but I've never once seen anyone say anything at all about either of these.  The general consensus here, though, is that cheap Chinese crap is cheap, Chinese, and crap, and therefore best avoided.

That said, I've not seen anyone declare any opinion at all on these stations or any stations like them.

[LeWidget]

Hey Rigby

I've been poking around these forums a great deal lately, trying to absorb whatever I can, but I've never once seen anyone say anything at all about either of these.  The general consensus here, though, is that cheap Chinese crap is cheap, Chinese, and crap, and therefore best avoided.

I've come across reviews about the chinese clones of the HAKKO soldering iron stations & have had some positive feedback saying, though they're Chinese, they still preformed quite well & many people were happy with them (to some degree).. however, I've never seen reviews regarding these rework stations, so I'm not too sure either :\

[iloveelectronics]

I have both a genuine Hakko FX-888 and a Yihua 862D+ 2-in-1 station. Maybe I don't do enough soldering but to be honest I don't really feel a big difference between them (the soldering iron part). The Hakko heats up a little bit faster but other than that the Yihua works just as well, even with cheap Hakko clone tips. I don't use the hot air gun part that often (most of the time I just use it on heat shrinks..LOL), but the few times I needed it, it worked fine.

[LeWidget]

Thanks for the feedback guys

I was going to get the Hobbyking soldering station but they no longer stock in the AUS warehouse .. & getting from international costs more than ebay :\

The next thing I was going to suggest is a Uni-T UT61E multimeter which is also good value and features for around $60.

Multimeter I have, picked one up from Jaycar http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1548&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1060#1.
Others have suggested I get an ESR Meter which I might do later on. I have small screwdrivers too (mix of heads). Will be ordering some wick, solder pump tip cleaner etc..

Anyone have an opinion on
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heavy-Duty-Soldering-Solder-Iron-Tip-Cleaner-Steel-Wire-Cleaning-Ball-With-Stand-/400458751869?pt=AU_Hand_Tools&var=&hash=item5d3d339f7d

or should I avoid the material the wool is made of ??

Thanks again for the feedback, really appreciate it

Regards,

[Fsck]

don't buy online.

go into a grocery store or megamart-type thing (like walmart), and buy some brass wool (should be beside things like copper wool and steel wool). you want *brass* wool for cleaning soldering tips

stick it in a container of your choice, I stuck it in what was a glass jam jar.

[LeWidget]

don't buy online.

go into a grocery store or megamart-type thing (like walmart), and buy some brass wool (should be beside things like copper wool and steel wool). you want *brass* wool for cleaning soldering tips

stick it in a container of your choice, I stuck it in what was a glass jam jar.

Thanks for that , for some reason it didn't occur to me to look at a local store lol  . Why 'brass wool' though & not other types ?

Thanks again, will definitely look today 

Regards,

[Fsck]

brass is nice and relatively soft and also doesn't oxidize
copper oxidizes like a whore and tends to be a pain in the ass to live with
steel is much harder than the tip, you'll just damage your tips.

[Shock]

Steel wool from the supermarket also falls to bits, rusts and they put soap in it.

[LeWidget]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice

I went ahead and bought 2in1 SMD Hot Air Gun Rework Station WEP off ebay, now looking for some tips for it. I can only find 'Lead-Free' though. Does anyone know where to get HAKKO tips compatible with lead solder ? I hear lead is easier to work with ??

Regards,

[rdl]

I think they mean the actual tip is lead free, not that it's for lead free solder only. I use Plato tips on my Hakko, I get them from Mouser for like $5-$8 or so.

[LeWidget]

I think they mean the actual tip is lead free, not that it's for lead free solder only.

ooh ok, so you can use leaded or lead-free solder with the tips ? I was looking at http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400426609696?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 but wasn't sure.

Thanks for the reply

Regards,

[con-f-use]

I know you already bought a station but: Back 2008 when I was a poor student I bough an Aoyue 2703A+ and never regretted it. I've worked on Esra, Weller and Hakko stations and sure they are fancy and shiny but I still use my Aoyue. The parts are cheaper, it is very robust and hackable and comes with extensive accessories.

[nanofrog]

ooh ok, so you can use leaded or lead-free solder with the tips ?

Absolutely. 

Just rinse the tip with your leaded alloy solder a few times before using it (tin with leaded solder, wipe & repeat a few times) to get the lead-free alloy off of the tip IMHO. Skips any potential problems associated with a weird alloy mixture until the lead-free stuff is gone from the tip. Only takes a couple of minutes at most.

[nukie]

If you purchased one of these Chinese models and report back with an issue I'm sure there will be a few friendly members who are more than willing to help you fine tune your station. Unless of course if you have bought those lastest induction style stations from Quick or Best. They are Chinese designed copied technology. I don't think there are many owners here.

Yes Chinese is cheap but it does not mean its crap. They do however need a little electrical work to get up to safety standards and perhaps some parts upgrade then you will be on your way. This makes them affordable and more money for other stuff like your scope.

I would happily use a Hakko clone on my left and a Jbc iron on my  right to desolder, all you need is simply a good tip plating, controlled temperature and sometimes high thermal power.

This only apply to soldering stations, I don't think it applies to other items like DMM or DSO.

I've seen these on eBay before.  I've been poking around these forums a great deal lately, trying to absorb whatever I can, but I've never once seen anyone say anything at all about either of these.  The general consensus here, though, is that cheap Chinese crap is cheap, Chinese, and crap, and therefore best avoided.

That said, I've not seen anyone declare any opinion at all on these stations or any stations like them.

[LeWidget]

Hey guys,

My new Station arrive today. I dismantled it just to have a peak inside & see if anything seems suss (not that I know what im looking at 

here's some pics I took,

http://s998.photobucket.com/user/Widget1983/library/Soldering%20Station

If you guys see anything odd, let me know

Thanks,

[con-f-use]

Dodgy hot-glue action going on here...
...power transistor next to ELCOs...
...poor quality components...
...yep, it's china-ware but should work.