Can you recommend the best SMT iron under $500 ?

[jnz]

I'm looking at something like the basic Weller WX series
https://www.amazon.com/WX1012-Powered-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B005N712Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1465582083&sr=1-1&keywords=Weller+WX

And maybe a JBC like a
https://www.amazon.com/JBC-Soldering-Tools-CD-1SE-Compact/dp/B0195LSGKK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1465583134&sr=8-6&keywords=Jbc+Soldering+Station

I'm going SMT work with rare occasional through hole for connectors and things. I probably only turn the iron on once a month, but when I do, I'll have a 500 pad PCB to solder up. Its all prototype construction. I don't really like the idea of "special tips" as I almost never work on the same boards over and over and need the adjustability.

I can step up a little bit over $500 if it's important, but I'd like to keep it under if possible. I'm using a Weller WLC100 right now and it's killing me. I need better temp control.

Thoughts? Other options considering the price?

[mtdoc]

Don't forget to factor in the cost of a good selection of tips.

You can get a Hakko FX-951 and a good selection of tips for under $500.  It will be a HUGE step up from your Weller WLC100 (which was also my first iron).

Louis Rossman does a good review of the FX-951.  At the end of the video he does a performance/cost comparison with the JBC.

 

[D3f1ant]

I second the FX951, you also have option of adding a micro iron (fm2032) in the future if need something for very small or fine work.

[jnz]

I knew I should be looking into Hakko but forgot. Researching now.

EDIT: OMG I'm downing in the amount of flux that guy uses.    That said, yes, the unit does seem nice and I'll look into the other Hakko units, but the controls and beeping on that seem terribly annoying.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Not clear where you are located. That can impact cost and selection quite a bit.

There are a *lot* of very good soldering systems sold used. SMT has been around for several decades. Companies move or go out of business. The market gets flooded with this or that setup. Most of the better stuff is quite reliable / repairable. Prices can be low enough that buying two or three to have a spare still nets out way ahead of a new one.

Bob

[nctnico]

After having used JBC and Weller I'm got hooked on Ersa soldering gear.

[jnz]

After having used JBC and Weller I'm got hooked on Ersa soldering gear.

Looks great, but not for USA as it seems to pick up $100 over the cost in Europe.

[janoc]

ERSA i-Con Nano is pretty decent and very compact - not everyone has a huge amount of space on the bench. However, ERSA has a good selection of other models too, including hot tweezers and what not.

[jnz]

The Hakko 951 seems to be about $250, And the "low end" JBC (CD-S) is about $450. I'm not sure I am above paying $150 for the interface and name/support. The tip prices seemed about the same with JBC being $5-10 higher. $30-50 per. I really only need 2-3 tips, and for the majority of my work could get by with one.

Not a lot of love for the Weller I see.

[jnz]

ERSA i-Con Nano is pretty decent and very compact - not everyone has a huge amount of space on the bench. However, ERSA has a good selection of other models too, including hot tweezers and what not.

The only unit I've seen so far from Ersa in the USA is the Pico which is by a thread on this site, made in China and not great. If there is a USA distributor, I'd be happy to check them out... but then you get into another issue - tips. I like the idea of JBC and Weller tips I can get even off Amazon.

[nctnico]

ERSA i-Con Nano is pretty decent and very compact - not everyone has a huge amount of space on the bench. However, ERSA has a good selection of other models too, including hot tweezers and what not.

The only unit I've seen so far from Ersa in the USA is the Pico which is by a thread on this site, made in China and not great. If there is a USA distributor, I'd be happy to check them out... but then you get into another issue - tips.

With Ersa you just need one set of tips and you are set for at least a decade of daily soldering (unless you set the iron crazy hot which is bad for many things so lets rule that out).

[nanofrog]

The Weller WX gear is fine, but it's pricey. Hakko offers a lot more value, but you compromise on the UI usability (Hakko's UI's aren't intuitive at all). Weller has a much nicer UI, and offers a lot more tools that will interface with the power control unit, whereas Hakko offers one additional iron. May not matter, depending on what you need.

Ersa is available in the US; both directly on their US site (Kurtz-Ersa North America), and at Murray Purcival as well. A very important note, everything they offer in the hand operated stuff is 230V single phase, so it's likely you'd have to install the appropriate outlet or use a suitable step-up transformer. As mentioned, the tip quality is excellent, as is Hakko's.

Weller's tip quality depends on where it comes from. Those made in the US, Japan, and Germany are excellent, while that from Mexico and Bosnia have had a high defect rate IME (i.e. ~30% on the Bosnian stuff)*. Fortunately, the XNT tips used in the WXP65 iron are made in Germany, so you'd be OK there (RT series as well; some of the LT series is from Bosnia). There are 3rd party companies that offer clone tips for the more common plated types, such as Plato.

Tip cost and selection is something that should be taken into consideration as well; Hakko's common profiles aren't bad at all, despite the fact they're cartridge tips rather than just plated copper. Ersa's tip prices are decent as well (just plated copper). The XNT series is also just plated copper. JBC's tips are on the pricey side, as are the RT series should you ever decide to go with Weller and add that particular hand piece (WXMP iron).

BTW, the piezo speaker can be muted on the FX-951 (download the full manual from Hakko; need to make an account to do so, which is free). A previous solution was to put a piece of electrical tape over it.

* For disclosure, I own a WD series setup (WSP80 & WMP irons). FWIW, the WMP is the WXP65's daddy, but uses a different series of tip (NT rather than XNT). The newer model has a better tip selection & installation/removal (no special tool required).

[mtdoc]

BTW, the piezo speaker can be muted on the FX-951 (download the full manual from Hakko; need to make an account to do so, which is free). A previous solution was to put a piece of electrical tape over it.

Yep, it takes about 10 seconds to do.  BTW,  no registration needed for that manual. It's HERE

[KL27x]

Personally, WD series kills me. I have occasion to borrow one, fairly frequently. Although I tend to bring and use my own Hakko, when I know I'm going to need to solder.

Tips do not transfer heat instantly, despite the marketing. Tiny tip = tiny thermal mass, and no amount of marketing changes that (unless it includes RF Curie point tech).

Tips do not last (I hear quality is hit and miss, depending on where they were manufactured).

Stereo plugs are not adequate connectors for a soldering iron tip, by themselves. Just nope. When you put lateral pressure on the tip (which you will when it doesn't heat the joint quickly) the whole iron bends.

The handle is too small. Every time I pick up the iron, the cord gets in the way.

The stand is too ditzy. Every time I put the iron away, it's a chore.

Also seen one out of a fleet of 4 of these go out of commission within 4 years.

WX might be different, but it looks very similar to me. For occasional use, it will probably be fine, I'm sure. It looks the biz. (But for me, the WD series is the slickest looking POS available for the money. I like other wellers just fine).

Oh, I should mention that the tip to grip distance is quite short and the handle is quite light weight, if you want that. That is personally annoying to me, as well. I rather have more reach, and shifting grip doesn't give you enough with this iron, due to the short grip. A bigger, heavier handpiece is more stable and gives better reach and utility, IMO.

[bingo600]

I have a used metal , and love it.
Bought, a batch of refurbished tips

/bingo

[nanofrog]

Personally, WD series kills me. I have occasion to borrow one, fairly frequently. Although I tend to bring and use my own Hakko, when I know I'm going to need to solder.

Tips do not transfer heat instantly, despite the marketing. Tiny tip = tiny thermal mass, and no amount of marketing changes that (unless it includes RF Curie point tech).

Tips do not last (I hear quality is hit and miss, depending on where they were manufactured).

Stereo plugs are not adequate connectors for a soldering iron tip, by themselves. Just nope. When you put lateral pressure on the tip (which you will when it doesn't heat the joint quickly) the whole iron bends.

The handle is too small. Every time I pick up the iron, the cord gets in the way.

The stand is too ditzy. Every time I put the iron away, it's a chore.

Also seen one out of a fleet of 4 of these go out of commission within 4 years.

WX might be different, but it looks very similar to me. For occasional use, it will probably be fine, I'm sure. It looks the biz. (But for me, the WD series is the slickest looking POS available for the money. I like other wellers just fine).

Oh, I should mention that the tip to grip distance is quite short and the handle is quite light weight, if you want that. That is personally annoying to me, as well. I rather have more reach, and shifting grip doesn't give you enough with this iron, due to the short grip. A bigger, heavier handpiece is more stable and gives better reach and utility, IMO.

Which iron/s have you been using?

As per tips, I've only had issues with the LT series' stuff that was made in Bosnia. The US, German, and Japanese made tips I purchased are still going after 8 years. No issues with irons bending, but I don't use the WRMP either. FWIW, that particular iron is made for working with small SMD, including under a microscope, so there's not a lot of mass to the tips.

As per the RF Curie Point stuff, it's decent (especially useful for production, as operators absolutely cannot screw with the temp settings), but it's not the end-all of soldering tech anymore as you're implying either. Twenty years ago, sure; but no longer. For example, a Hakko FX-951 keeps up with it at a fraction of the price when buying new, and other stations have beaten it.

Ultimately though, any brand & model have their issues/quirks.

[nctnico]

One of the biggest problems I see when people are using a soldering iron is using a tip which is too small and the temperature set too high. A bigger tip has more mass and more heat conductivity so it will be easier to use. Just rely on the surface tension + flux to do the work and soldering will be quicker and better. Setting the temperature too high is especially bad for lead free because the flux wears off much faster and tin is already harder to solder to begin with.

[KD0CAC John]

I am surprised know one thought that with SMT , the need for 2 tips , so tweezers and or hot air ?
Not that you can not do SMT with one tip , but its too much work for frequent use , at least to me .
At this time I have JBC stations - single tip - vacuum , Metcal stations single tip , tweezer & vacuum , Hakko & copies hot air .
Now to build a oven with good controls  

[gamalot]

Quick 861DW hot air workstation works great for me, but I am not sure if they only have 220V version.

http://www.primedistributing.com/Quick_Soldering_QUICK861DW_p/quick861dw.htm

[janoc]

The only unit I've seen so far from Ersa in the USA is the Pico which is by a thread on this site, made in China and not great. If there is a USA distributor, I'd be happy to check them out... but then you get into another issue - tips. I like the idea of JBC and Weller tips I can get even off Amazon.

Pico I wouldn't recommend, that is the low cost version of the Nano, lacking a lot of features, including being ESD-safe

ERSA has an US office, you can try to talk to them directly:
http://www.kurtzersa.com/homepage.html

Kurtz North America
1779 Pilgrim Road
Plymouth, WI 53073
USA

Telefon: +1 920 893 1779
Fax: +1 920 893 1562

info-kna@kurtzersa.com
www.kurtzersa.com

ERSA tips are commonly available here in Europe, in the US I am not sure.

[uncle_bob]

The only unit I've seen so far from Ersa in the USA is the Pico which is by a thread on this site, made in China and not great. If there is a USA distributor, I'd be happy to check them out... but then you get into another issue - tips. I like the idea of JBC and Weller tips I can get even off Amazon.

Pico I wouldn't recommend, that is the low cost version of the Nano, lacking a lot of features, including being ESD-safe

ERSA has an US office, you can try to talk to them directly:
http://www.kurtzersa.com/homepage.html

Kurtz North America
1779 Pilgrim Road
Plymouth, WI 53073
USA

Telefon: +1 920 893 1779
Fax: +1 920 893 1562

info-kna@kurtzersa.com
www.kurtzersa.com

ERSA tips are commonly available here in Europe, in the US I am not sure.

Hi

I would put a "240V only" bench iron very far down on the list for US use. By the time you fiddle with connectors / cables / transformers, you have a very clunky and expensive setup. I would also question the degree to which a company is focusing on the US market if they don't even bother to wind a power transformer to match the normal bench wiring.

None of that is to say the gear isn't first rate or that they should change their approach. The US may simply not be significant to them for bench gear sales.

Bob

[KL27x]

Which iron/s have you been using?

I have had access to a metcal, for many months. But the iron I bought for myself are Hakko FX 888s. At about $100.00 each, they work great. Hakko's tip selector web tool is the best; and the selection and value of tips is fantastic. Been using them since before they distontinued the 888 analog, however long that is, and I have yet to wear out a tip or experience the first problem. I have spent more on tips than the cost of a single station... but all these tips are still in service. There are 5 or 6 I can't hardly live without, anymore. I have no problem changing the tip while hot with just a small pair of pliers with a bolt/fastener cutout in the jaws. 

I believe metcal is really good. I don't think it's good enough for the size and cost of the station, for my current needs. I'm sure the FX 951 is also excellent. I'm sure the WD is perfectly fine for some people, doing certain things, but it seems to me it is designed from the ground up for very fine, delicate, point to point rework. I personally see many disadvantages for general use, and not much if any advantage for fine point-to-point rework. I can handle a more normal sized iron just fine, so I only experience the disadvantages. For SMD board assembly/population, there is no need for iron this tiny to begin with, IMO. IOW, I see WD good as maybe a cell phone repair specialist tool, at best. Only where the boards you work on are always very small and fine pitch, and you do not assemble/populate larger panels, and you are doing only point to point rework under a microscope.

I won't call the 888 the best iron under $500.00. I personally find no significant shortcoming with it, other than the horrible UI on the digital version.

[shawnb]

The Hakko FX-951 seems highly regarded and one of the better values, and it can use the T15-CF3 bevel hoof tip for drag soldering.  But, a lot of people complain about the interface and toy-ish color scheme.

I had talked myself up to the Hakko FM-203, thinking with two channels I could add a micro iron and have both a bevel and micro chisel ready to go at the same time.

I ended up going with the Weller WX, it was pricey but general consensus seemed to be that they are built to old-school Weller's quality standards (unlike some of the cheaper models).  The WXP65 iron is smaller than I expected, I bought the WXMP micro iron too but not sure how often I will need something that small.

Seems like everyone has their preference/opinion as to inductive vs standard, brand, iron size/shape, tip size/shape, etc.  I agonized for a couple months trying to research what was "best" without the benefit of comparing them hands-on, but finally decided that as long as it was quality and had flexibility, I would be able to adapt to using it for "best results" as with any fine tool.

[nanofrog]

Quick 861DW hot air workstation works great for me, but I am not sure if they only have 220V version.

http://www.primedistributing.com/Quick_Soldering_QUICK861DW_p/quick861dw.htm

I own one of these*, and the unit you linked is the version designed for US voltage.   

FWIW, the last letter indicates the market; the version ending in W = 110V w/ US plug, S = 220V w/ EU plug, and A = 220V w/ UK plug.

* Plenty of info on these stations here in the forum for anyone interested, including teardown photos.

I'm sure the WD is perfectly fine for some people, doing certain things, but it seems to me it is designed from the ground up for very fine, delicate, point to point rework.

Actually, the primary iron that was designed for it, was the WSP80, which was later replaced with the WP80. Both of which are 80W, normal sized pencil shaped irons. They also offered 2x micro irons, the WMP & WRMP, as well as a couple of different tweezers, a solder pot, solder bath, and preheater plate. Please note that the WRMP and WMRT only work with the M versions (i.e. WD1M or WD2M).

WSP80


WP80

[KL27x]

Ok. Thanks for the clarification. I hope I didn't already steer the OP wrong.

This is what I do not care for:
http://soldertechnic.uw.hu/weller_soldering_stations/image011.jpg