WTB: Good quality solder station

[reddish75]

Hi,

Looking to buy a decent quality solder station, something akin to the Metcal mx-500, anyone have anything? I'm located in the U.K

Thanks

Chris

[mark hodsman]

Have a maplin (Precision gold A55KJ) controller and a few tips.... needs a replacement iron...
£15 + postage?

[KD0CAC John]

I normally stay away from any product that has double additives in there name , and especially when one of them have meaningless terms as one of them [ gold ] .
The offer has a couple of things going for it , its in your country and 15.00 is not bad ?
Just did a quick Goggle on it and prices were more than halved depending - that usually an indicator , then one of the top replies was an EEVblog post talking about it as a Hakko clone .
Enough of that , not sure if you can find , I do a lot of shopping in eBay , and the more it costs the longer I will look , because given long enough almost anything will be sold over time for a term I learned going to auctions , sleeper , for any number of reasons an item is not seen / bid on or noticed and goes real cheap .
I have a bunch of high end professional soldering gear that most came from eBay , maybe the best deal and JBC Micro desoldering station , this was new in box's with replacement parts - 5 each of 3 different tips , filters , power supply vacuum pump complete , these retail for $1500 to $1700 , I got it for $420 including shipping .
Then a NIB  JBC single soldering station for $225 , and a whole bunch of Metcal stuff real cheap used 3 of the SST models off craigs list $30 for a box of all kinds of soldering stuff , including the Metcal , then one of the Metcal desolder guns , tweezers , and then someone that had about 80 tips of about 15 types all new in packages .
And other stuff , the point is get to know the gear , especially the beast gear , then keep an eye out for the sales that most everyone else missed , so you are not competing .
It could be an issue with sourcing on either side of the POND  
Shipping is getting way over priced .
Here is one that is a good started and on sale sometimes   http://www.frys.com/product/7550776
There are a lot of different soldering needs , and basically there is no such thing as one tool to do it all .

[Iwanushka]

my 0.02$ buy hakko fx-888, if you can afford better station (that heats faster) go with ersa nano/hako fx951 or used metcal if you like fixed temps

[Yellofriend]

I am looking for a new one too!

I have a Bakon 937A and I am not too happy with it. The power is a bit low, but worse, I have get that S-E error where the display blinks and the iron stops heating.

Now I am thinking Bakon BK3300 (200W ESD safe) or Atten ST-100 (100W and can preset 3 temperatures )

Comments are welcome!

[4CX35000]

I use a Katsu 936 digital solder station for everyday messing around. Can be found on eBay link below and soldering irons with replacement tips cost very little. There is a couple of downsides such as the length of the lead could do with being a little longer and the iron thermal conduction could have been a little better, but then I have used the iron regulary for well over a year and never had a problem and for me has been good value.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KATSU-936-Digital-Electronic-Soldering-Rework-Station-60W-312087-/292130123261?epid=1378510000&hash=item44044fedfd:g:Nt0AAOSwnK9ZRoph

or

https://www.aimtools.co.uk/products/312087-soldering-rework-station-936-digital?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=32291741002&gclid=COL_7vqF1tQCFU48GwodLwsOyA

Good video by a guy called Big Clive on the solder station.

[Shock]

Start a unique/new thread if you are looking for advice on what to buy and mention your budget etc.

Posting for help in others threads is considered poor etiquette and a form of thread hijacking

[BU508A]

I have this station:

http://uk.farnell.com/weller/wd-1000hpt/soldering-station-120w-230v/dp/2629106

[Yellofriend]

Finally bought the Atten ST-80

That is the US$150 class. Probably less than half of the Metcal mx-500 or BU508A's Weller, but IMHO a good work tool.

You can pre-set 3 temps with push button access. When you set something different - it's still there when you switch on the station next time. It shows the real tip temp.

I bought mine in China, so not sure if the seller replaced the tips, but the tip that was supplied was oxidated in a Minute. I have enough old (probably fake too) Hakko tips that fit and do the job - and last.

100% happy user here (not considering the supplied tip)

*********************
Update:

If like really high end and don't mind some DIY, there are Weller WMRP/WXRP DIY station plans (based on Arduino Nano) out there. You still need to use the original Weller tip (US$30-40 I think).

https://github.com/ArduinoHannover/Maiskolben  (in German, there are Gerbers for a THT PCB)

[Shock]

Finally bought the Atten ST-80 That is the US$150 class.

Bad advice.
Atten ST-80 is a copy of several Hakko designs. Similar controls, soldering iron looks copied, heater looks copied, tips are 100% fake.
Hakko Fx-888D is 70-100 USD for the 120V version and around 150 USD for the 220/240V version.

[Yellofriend]

Finally bought the Atten ST-80 That is the US$150 class.

Bad advice.
Atten ST-80 is a copy of several Hakko designs. Similar controls, soldering iron looks copied, heater looks copied, tips are 100% fake.
Hakko Fx-888D is 70-100 USD for the 120V version and around 150 USD for the 220/240V version.

Well, I get more power, 3 fix temp buttons and a nice standby mode. Tips are not branded, but after my tips 'expire' I will certainly buy original Hakko tips only ;-)

But no question that the Hakko is an excellent deal too and that's also a high quality tool. I like brand items.

Would I buy it again? Well, in terms of quality certainly. But I have already one and for 2nd one (in fact I need on in 2 locations) I might go the DIY road.

[EHT]

I would have bought one of those Hakko 888s ages ago if it weren't for the ridiculous 1-button interface. Why-o-why did they get rid of the rotary control to make it as unusable as the worst digital watch ever. I suppose if you leave it on the same temp all the time it doesn't matter but it would irk me. I wonder if they are going to bring out a new revision with say 2 buttons, "up" and "down"!

[microbug]

I would have bought one of those Hakko 888s ages ago if it weren't for the ridiculous 1-button interface. Why-o-why did they get rid of the rotary control to make it as unusable as the worst digital watch ever. I suppose if you leave it on the same temp all the time it doesn't matter but it would irk me. I wonder if they are going to bring out a new revision with say 2 buttons, "up" and "down"!

It really doesn't bother me. There are 5 presets that you can cycle through; 200-450 in 50ºC increments. I have not yet needed a lower or more specific temperature, for that I'd probably have to dig out the manual.

[Specmaster]

I also have the Katsu 936D from Ebay, fitted it with a Hakko tip, never had any bother with it at all. Not much difference in price to a normal 230v iron but boy, what a joy it is to solder with. I have never had a better iron in my hands. Its the same as the one in the video by Big Clive but with a different brand name on it. I never had any problems with the internal build quality or earthing issues, did have the sleeved earth pin on the plug though, binned that and fitted a decent plug and 3A fuse, very happy bunny and enjoy soldering now.

[Trakehner1]

Search the sales section, someone was selling an almost unused Hakko 888. Its looks are controversial (I like it) but its a great tool and tips are easily affordable.

While browsing I found the offer - https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-new-hakko-fx888-16by-(eu-version)/ 

[chris_leyson]

Have a PACE ST-75 analogue controlled solder station, TD-100 handpiece and stand, a tJ-85 hot air pencil and a pair of SX-90 desolder guns both with stands a couple of tips as well and a foot switch for the air. Most of it brand new except for the SX-90 desolder guns, they seen a bit of use. £200 P.S. the tips ain't so good with lead free solder.

[EHT]

[FX-888D] It really doesn't bother me. There are 5 presets that you can cycle through

OK, thanks - good to know. I'll probably get one then.

[Jwalling]

I have this station:

http://uk.farnell.com/weller/wd-1000hpt/soldering-station-120w-230v/dp/2629106

I like that the output power is 160W, but the price is a deal killer. My current iron is a 70W Edsyn CL1080 and sometimes 70W just doesn't cut it...

[sarel.wagner]

I do have a Hakko and Weller stations. See this link: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/trial-on-the-ai-controlled-ts100-soldering-iron/msg760180/#msg760180

Nice cost effective solution Mini TS100, mine is now on order.
Rgrds

[MosherIV]

Yes, from what I have read, the TS1000 is a very good iron.

Personally, I would recommend the Metcal (I just picked up a Metcal SP200 off ebay for around £50 - bargin  )
They normally go for between £80 to £120.

Another way is to pick up the PSU off ebay and then get the Thermatronics handle for it :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thermaltronics-SHP-S-replacement-hand-piece-Metcal-OKI-SP200-SP-HC1-compatible/253041697201?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

You just need to keey your eye out and keep trying, took me months before I won this one for the right price.
If you want a rf iron and want it new, look at the OKI (they took over Metcal) PS900. They come in at around £200 new.


If you are on a really tight budget but still want good performance, have a look at the Bakon BK950D
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/bakon-bk950d-soldering-station-my-opinion!!/
Just do not use the supplied tip and replace it with a proper Hako tip.

Happy soldering