Is this 936 soldering iron likely to be any good?

[smjcuk]

Firstly, Hi - first post

I've started my electronics hobby again after a decade long hiatus. Consequentially I'm looking at a new iron. I've done some reading and the Chinese Hakko clones look pretty good value for money even if they're not 100% perfect. They appear to turn up in various incarnations. Is this one likely to be ok?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291045808706

I've had Weller TCP irons in the distant past but TBH I don't want to throw £180 on the table if there's something 80% as good for £30

[dcel]

Please just get the FX888d. I have three and you cannot go wrong.
Chris

PS add your country flag to your profile. I guessing UK?

[smjcuk]

I looked at those but they're difficult to get in the UK. They're also half way to Fluke territory.

Flag added - yes UK.

[grumpydoc]

I have this one which has been fine so far - https://labtronix.co.uk/drupal/shop/soldering/898bdplus

[Zucca]

...there's something 80% as good for £30

Welcome, when it comes down to solder I need 100% quality not 80%. Do not go cheap please.
Try to contact TopLoser, he is living in the UK and have a lot of great deals.

[wraper]

Please just get the FX888d. I have three and you cannot go wrong.
Chris

Easy to say for you lucky yanks  .

[3roomlab]

i think there is a thread discussing clones of 936. there is so many clones. i actually bought 1 to try, it is on the way to me. there is now a "cloner" factory that sells a hakio 936 to the effect of "we make good clones, better PCB than other clones"  ... (have a search, good read imo). the number "936" is now like a "brand" in itself lol

for something cheap and reliable, you might as well go for the traditional nichrome heated 20-30w types like GOOT? but @ GBP30-40, i think there is actually a genuine weller with temperature control?

[neslekkim]

I looked at those but they're difficult to get in the UK. They're also half way to Fluke territory.

Flag added - yes UK.

Are these difficult to deal with?
http://www.dancap.co.uk/soldering/fx888ddigitalpricelist.htm

[smjcuk]

I looked at those but they're difficult to get in the UK. They're also half way to Fluke territory.

Flag added - yes UK.

Are these difficult to deal with?
http://www.dancap.co.uk/soldering/fx888ddigitalpricelist.htm

I looked at them but on the basis I can't use my credit card to buy anything from them (therefore losing purchase insurance), I won't use them. I usually buy stuff from CPC.

Regarding the comment about the cheaper Weller models, they're like 1950s soldering irons.

[smjcuk]

Found a second hand 936 clone for less (beer money amount). Will try that first. Failing that or if that fails, I'm just going to use it for leverage to raise a purchase order for a Weller TCP with the my significant other finance department 

[picandmix]

Only just seen your post,  but I bought this solder station from Aim a few months ago, the picture does not show the  stand it comes with so makes you think is a bit poor, but its properly boxed and complete, a good little unit with a modern smd pcb in it.
Tested the tip temps at seems very accurate

Its got a temp sensor in the iron and takes all the standard 936 type tips you can buy for a few pounds.

Expect the one you show is similar , just flashier !
Good quick delivery from Aim

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312086-936-Electronic-Soldering-Rework-Station-400-Degrees-Temperature-Control-/291045808647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43c3ae9a07

[smjcuk]

Thanks for the pointer. I was going to grab one of those for a tenner second hand but I decided that was too close to the "new" price about 30 minutes ago.

Well after Googling for about 2 hours, there's a place about 30 mins drive from me that allows collection and stocks a somewhat more respectable clone so I'm going to snag that: http://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/aoyue-937-soldering-station-2309.html - £38

Comes with a spare element as well (hopefully not an indication it'll need replacing after 5 minutes)

Also they stock full lines of spares and they have proper fused IEC sockets and RoHS cert too.

[nanofrog]

...there's something 80% as good for £30

Welcome, when it comes down to solder I need 100% quality not 80%. Do not go cheap please.
Try to contact TopLoser, he is living in the UK and have a lot of great deals.

+1 

OP, you didn't state a budget, but if at all possible, do follow up on this (best prices I've seen on name brand equipment such as Ersa, Weller, and JBC in the UK & Europe).

If that doesn't work out, you should take a look at Batterfly (located in Italy & sell to the UK; great prices on the FX-888D & Rigol products).

Please just get the FX888d. I have three and you cannot go wrong.
Chris

Easy to say for you lucky yanks  .

[smjcuk]

Nice. If I had €383 I'd bad this one right up: http://www.batterfly.com/shop/oscilloscopi/70MHz/bundle-ds1054z-fx888d

[nanofrog]

Nice. If I had €383 I'd bad this one right up: http://www.batterfly.com/shop/oscilloscopi/70MHz/bundle-ds1054z-fx888d

Both pieces of gear are very nice, and I'm not aware of any other vendor beating that price for your location.  Something to save up for IMHO.    

[smjcuk]

I've given up saving. Every time I save for something, my car decides it needs something to make it feel better

[nanofrog]

I've given up saving. Every time I save for something, my car decides it needs something to make it feel better

• Take it to a remote location & destroy it.
• Report it stolen.
• File an insurance claim.
• Get a more reliable car.

     

PS. Don't get caught. 

[smjcuk]

I have a "like for like" policy which means I'd get stuck with another Fiat

[nanofrog]

I have a "like for like" policy which means I'd get stuck with another Fiat

I thought modern Fiat's were reliable these days. 

Only aware of the older ones from the '70's & early '80's that were known to be highly problematic (were referred to as "Fix It Again Tony" here in the US; was so bad in fact for their reputation, it drove them out of the US market entirely for ~27 years). Didn't return until the Chrysler merger.

[smjcuk]

Nope still lemons. Has had new EGR valve, timing chain, front arms, shocks, window motor, brake cylinder, heating resistor, headlamp, clutch. The ECU and ignition system went pop during warranty as well. Last week the full beam headlights stopped working reliably due to a switch problem on the stalk.

Was mostly reliable until the day the warranty was up. It was on a flatbed the day after. Its only 5 years old and has done 42k miles.

To be honest bar the ECU, EGR and clutch, Ive done the repairs myself with a pirated service manual and some tools from machine mart so that's been OK. The Fiat dealer service is awful you see; took 11 days for them to work out how to replace the timing chain.

This is the same line of vehicles if that is any reference:

[nanofrog]

...lemon...

PM sent, as we've gotten off topic. 

[smjcuk]

Certainly has!

Back on topic, I am now the owner of an Aoyue 326 so I'm going to take it to bits later and take some photos. Make sure it's not going to try and kill me

[nanofrog]

Aoyue 326 so I'm going to take it to bits later and take some photos. Make sure it's not going to try and kill me

How would an Aoyue 326 kill you? It's just a PCB holder (steel sheet metal & some magnetic clamps). 

[smjcuk]

That'll teach me for drinking and typing 

936!

[nanofrog]

That'll teach me for drinking and typing 

936!

You're not alone on that one.