Yihua 936 or 937D+, or KSGER STM32 Kit

[EdwardC]

I'm about to assemble my first self-designed circuit - it's entirely through-hole, but I expect in the near future I'll be doing some surface-mount stuff as-well. The electronics I usually play with are based around Arduino, Raspberry Pi, LED lighting and guitars. I don't really have the time for this to be more than an occasional hobby, so I don't feel like I need to shell out for a high-end, brand-name setup.

So, to the main question: given my fairly limited requirements, will I be perfectly well served by the Yihua 936, or are there features in the 937D+, or a KSGER kit that will improve the experience substantially?

Also, are any of them likely to kill me?

[Shock]

I'm about to assemble my first self-designed circuit - it's entirely through-hole, but I expect in the near future I'll be doing some surface-mount stuff as-well.

The Yihua 936 should be fine but only if you can get one cheap enough. Mine worked out to be under $16 each delivered years ago, but you want to use Hakko T18 genuine tips (Yihua 936 compatible). Hakko tips wet well and are reliable (they have a large variety including fine tips).

You can open the 936 up easily and check the wiring and soldering if required, as long as you don't have it plugged into mains or anything stupid like that.

But if your spending $50-$100 or more on some Chinese clone, that is a large chunk out of a reliable brand station, you are wiser to sink that money into something worthwhile and not a gimmick. So don't get too caught up in digital displays and all in one units.

[hayatepilot]

I have both the Yihua 936 and a KSGER (very similar to the set #5 in your link).
The Yihua sits somewhere never to be used again. The T12 Kit beats it in every aspect.

The only downside is the lack of a good stand, but those can be bought seperately.

Greetings

[EdwardC]

The Yihua sits somewhere never to be used again. The T12 Kit beats it in every aspect.

I don't doubt that it's better, but can you point to particular aspects that will make a big difference given my limited, relatively infrequent use?

[tester43]

Tip changing is very comfortable - before t12 i never did it.
Here you buy several integrated tips and change if needed in seconds.
Second: if heater breaks it's just in one tip. You still have several other tips somewhere.

[hayatepilot]

Also they heat up so much faster!
At first glance it may be not a big issue to wait maybe a minute to heat up the 936 but in reality staring at the iron for a minute is annoying.
The t12 heat up in about 15sec.
They also hold the heat much better which is great for soldering heavier components such as cables, heatsinks or big transistors.

And a big one is the short tip to handle distance of the FX9501 handle. It's much easier to solder, especially small stuff.

There are also cheaper options for good T12 soldering irons: Bakon 950D for example. The base version is just 24$. I have one as a spare and it's very good for ther price.

Greetings

[EdwardC]

Bakon 950D for example. The base version is just 24$. I have one as a spare and it's very good for ther price.

So now I need to work out whether I should get a T13 rather than a T12 or a T18 unit?! Ugh, maybe I should stick to my non-temperature-controlled 25W iron with the worn out conical tip ;-)

[hayatepilot]

Hmm you are right, some pictures in the link show a T12 iron and some a T13... 
I would choose the T12 since they are more readily available.

[stj]

T12 with fx9501 handle is the way to go,
the T13 uses shorter cartridges that cost more - essentially it's junk to avoid.