Tell Me This is a Good Iron

[Brown]

Is this any good? It has to be better than my $40 Candian Tire Iron right? I'm just a beginner and want to mess around with hot air aswell.
Thanks

LINK:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-plus-1-SMD-Soldering-Rework-Station-HOT-AIR-2x-IRON-Free-Bonus-50-value-/181260757326?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item2a33fba94e

[Brown]

Or any sub $120 shipped to Toronto, Canada iron and hot air.

[Sigmoid]

It's scarily cheap.

The problem with Chinese stuff is that you have absolutely no way of telling the good from the bad.

Not all Chinese stuff is bad. In fact the brand name cool stuff you get is also made in China, and you can get the same quality for a fraction of the price if you know where to look.
I knew a guy who made a living of importing pro photo gear from China, custom branded. From the very factories that make the Manfrotto and similar brand named gear. I got a tripod from him that cost about as much as the cheaper ones you can get at Media Markt, and in construction quality and materials it's up on par with the mid-to-high level Manfrottos. It's a beast, and absolutely beautiful.

However, if you don't... (which is usually the case if you're on eBay...) I definitely wouldn't buy Chinese technology off eBay.

[linux-works]

don't buy that!

my rule: if its a blatant ripoff of a real company name, go NOWHERE NEAR IT.

hakko is the real name.

and I've seen quakko (not kidding!) being sold as hakko.  laughed my ass off.  quack-o!  seriously??

the no-name stuff is worse than useless.

buy real tools or just save your money for when you can afford them.  you will throw out cheap tools again and again and its not worth it.

[pickle9000]

Try this guy, seller.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SMD-Hot-Air-Rework-Station-GQ-5200-Welding-Soldering-Iron-/310368958756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item48436e7924

I have the same one but with the Gordak brand name, it's over 3 years old, a few hundred hours on it with no problems. He has been on ebay a long time, I have one of the programmers as well and it has been without issue as well.

I purchased this as backup at work and took it home when I retired. Of course you better off getting brand name but if you are going for chinese this one will be your best bet.

[Shock]

That last post is also a morphed clone of a hakko station.
The Bakku may be ok.  It's just an unknown entity that's all.

If you want  couple of irons at that price you might as well get a couple of Hakko 888Ds at frys when they come back down to $60 each again.
Then buy a hot air rework station for $50 or so if you need it.

[EEVblog]

It's scarily cheap.
The problem with Chinese stuff is that you have absolutely no way of telling the good from the bad.

This is scarily cheap:
A Hakko 936 ripoff for AU$16!
http://hobbyking.com.au/hobbyking/store/__19239__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_AUS_Warehouse_.html

[lapm]

Was about to say i would pay 100$ just for acceptable quality hot air unit. Thats has 2 soldering iron and hot air unit on same, sounds in my ear bit fishy cheap... Probably better still then 10$ supermarket soldering iron, but not much...

[Swake]

The station linked to in the first post looks as a rip-off. I can see no connection and no setting knobs for the second iron.
Left cable is power for the heat-gun
Middle is air for the heat gun
Right is power for one soldering iron


I have and use a Weller soldering station since 25 years, it never failed on me but did cost an arm and a leg back then.
Budgetary disciple pushed me towards an Aoyue hot air rework station a couple years ago and although I'm not impressed with the build quality it works well and I'm happy with it. Both heating elements (hot air gun and soldering iron) died quickly though. Replacement costs are so low it really does not matter. Aoyue became a known brand over the years and their reputation is good considered the costs of the equipement.


My conclusion is: For 'professional' and non-stop use always buy reputable 'professional' tools and equipment. On the other hand if it's for the hobby most of the time so called low-end brands is more than enough. Stay far away from the really cheap things however.

[MLXXXp]

Try this guy, seller.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SMD-Hot-Air-Rework-Station-GQ-5200-Welding-Soldering-Iron-/310368958756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item48436e7924

What kind of tips does the iron in this unit use (maybe Hakko)? Are replacements easy to find?

[bxs]

It's scarily cheap.
The problem with Chinese stuff is that you have absolutely no way of telling the good from the bad.

This is scarily cheap:
A Hakko 936 ripoff for AU$16!
http://hobbyking.com.au/hobbyking/store/__19239__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_AUS_Warehouse_.html

Haha, some days ago  bought something similar (in the exterior the mane is different  ) it cost me +- 36€, I have some pictures that I can post (but probably something similar already exist in the forum...)

EDIT: some pictures added  and yes, it's really bad, just look at the wires soldered to power switch  had to correct it before my brain gave me permission to power it up.

[electronics man]

Just don't buy it on ebay go somewhere reputable you probably get a good soldering station for the same price which is good quality. Jus dont touch that iron it could be dangerous, its for you own safety.

[Brown]

I want the Hakko 888D but I can't find any local stores that sell it. This is what the local electrical store sells (you may need to scroll down) They don'y have any Hakkos. Nor does any classified site. Are any of these good?
http://www.sayal.com/zinc/zinc_search.asp?txtSEARCH=35SOLDER&title=SOLDERING+%26+DESOLDERING&offset=50

[linux-works]

I have a few hakko 936 irons (real actual ones, bought at frys when they were closing them out) that I don't need.  I bought 4 (as spares) and 2 of them have never been opened and 2 have been used (one used once and one I'm using now as my main iron).  if you are in the US (ie, shipping is not outrageous) and want one of mine, PM me.  I'm looking to get what I paid for them, not looking for profit.

[staxquad]

I want the Hakko 888D but I can't find any local stores that sell it. This is what the local electrical store sells (you may need to scroll down) They don'y have any Hakkos. Nor does any classified site. Are any of these good?
http://www.sayal.com/zinc/zinc_search.asp?txtSEARCH=35SOLDER&title=SOLDERING+%26+DESOLDERING&offset=50

Canadian Customers:
All orders are shipped from ABRA's Montreal warehouse via Purolator or Canada Post using their standard rates. Please indicate your preference in the Comments section during check out. Otherwise we use the least costly method to your area. For a residential address we recommend Canada Post.

http://www.abra-electronics.com/products/FX888D-Hakko-Soldering-Station.html

$125



will be cheaper from NIOSALES by about $31, all inclusive $123.87 while Abra will be $125 + $16.25 tax + maybe $15 shipping
(edit:I'm Canadian, how can I forget the tax)

$123 complete, could be worse, you could be living in a country that requires 220v, then it's $160+, the horror, the horror

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-Station-Replaces-936-12-FX888-23BY-Analog-/380841241952?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58abe82d60