The Best work station

[stefanblum]

I have searched and not found the best answer. I am beginning in electronics and wish to stay t it for a very long time. I have the art of electronics 3rd edition, electronics for dummies 8 in 1.  I wish to know for soldering, desoldering. Do I need a 3 in 1 or 2 in 1 workstation. I wish to eventually lead free solder, desolder and use the hot air gun. I am willing to spend up to $800.00 aust What is the best recommendation out there. Which books or youtube tutorials are the best for designing a circuit from the amplifier aend load backwards if you know what I mean. If you have an amplifier and speaker; How do you design backwards from this.

[kj6gss]

I personally am not a fan of multi-in one workstations. While I don't have a hot air gun, I do have two soldering stations. My trusty Hakko FX-888 and a Sparkfun version I got in a eBay grab with some other stuff.

I like having the two soldering stations because I can have two different soldering tips ready to go if needed.

For desoldering I use solder wicks and a cheap solder sucker. I don't desolder enough to make one of the fancy desoldering guns worth my while. With the kind of money you are willing to spend you can get some good tools. I'd probably look at getting a Rigol oscilloscope with some of that money before any fancy hot air gun/hot air desolder station etc.

There are probably many opinions on the hot air gun but I'd certainly get one separate of any soldering station. Realistically you'll use your soldering iron or the hot air gun more, so having them together will become annoying. Since you're just starting, I would start with the soldering iron, solder wick and solder sucker. Get some quality solder, perf-board and parts and have at it.

[bitseeker]

If you have the budget and bench space, go for separates. As many like to say, if you have an all-in-one, what will you use to fix it when it breaks? Also keep in mind that you don't have to buy everything new. Finally, when buying brand-name equipment online, beware of counterfeits.

[tautech]

I have searched and not found the best answer. I am beginning in electronics and wish to stay t it for a very long time. I have the art of electronics 3rd edition, electronics for dummies 8 in 1.  I wish to know for soldering, desoldering. Do I need a 3 in 1 or 2 in 1 workstation. I wish to eventually lead free solder, desolder and use the hot air gun. I am willing to spend up to $800.00 aust What is the best recommendation out there. Which books or youtube tutorials are the best for designing a circuit from the amplifier aend load backwards if you know what I mean. If you have an amplifier and speaker; How do you design backwards from this.

Until you are experienced stay with lead based solders.

I've not needed a de-soldering gun for hobbyist use. Sping loaded solder suckers work just fine but like most tools practice is needed. Many also use desoldering braid and swear by it, although you can live without it.
Hot air is best for re-work, although once you have one you find all sorts of additional uses for it. Excellent for shrink sleeving. I find a soldering and hot air station fine for my needs.

There are several threads on soldering and rework stations in the "Other Equipment & Products" board:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/

Names that keep cropping up are:

Pace
Metcal
Hakko
Weller
Goot

Designing backwards as you put it is called "Reverse Engineering".
Here is a thread with some excellent tips:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/pcb-reverse-engineering/

[GreyWoolfe]

I support the separates also.  I have a Hakko FX-951 with tips less than $300 USD from TEquipment.net.  A Metcal MX-500P II with Talon tweezers and tips for $190 USD used gotten through some bartering and smart shopping.  I have a Yihua 858D hot air station, $50 USD shipped off of eBay and a ZhongDi ZD 985 desoldering station $150-it's up to $169 USD shipped.  Dave did a review on the Blue Rhino labeled version.  Substitute the FX-888D for the 951 and leave out the Metcal, and you can buy all 3 pieces and get a Rigol DS1054Z with your budget.  You'll even have money left for solder and wick, which I still use even with the desoldering station.

[nanofrog]

Another vote for separates and using lead based solder. 

If you want quality gear, buy it over time as needed. For example, start with a decent iron (with say 5 tips <i.e. 3 or more chisels, a bent conical, and a drag tip>). Add some wick and a desolder pump, and that takes care of your desoldering needs. And that should leave enough to get a 1054Z, which you'll get more use out of than either a hot air rework station or desoldering station/gun IME.

Then add a hot air rework station and desoldering station/gun as needed when funds allow. 

[Fat]

Separates.