Hakko FX-888D

[Prospero]

I was going to buy the Hakko FX-888D on ebay, mainly because I live in Ireland and the shipping was good
Link : http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-Station-FX-888D-/271492542653?

In order to use this in Ireland (we use the UK standard 240V) I need a transformer which I found on amazon. Will this work?
Link : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NIYH94/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AAFA5BUP4HVE1

I know there are guides on converting the station however, 1. I have little knowledge of electronics, 2. Most require a soldering iron and 3D printer, and 3. I don't want to tear apart a €100 station.

Finally, it works out at:
€90 for the station with shipping and charges
€50 for the transformer
 
Is this a good price and is it ok to run it off a transformer?
Or should I just buy a cheap soldering iron and convert it myself?

P.S I know there are other posts relating to this, however I am mainly asking about the transformer
Also I found this website in Ireland dont know if its fake or not.
Link : http://www.svs.ie/index.php?route=product/product&path=100_138&product_id=93

[kolonelkadat]

Sure, you can swap the transformer and it will work, but its not worth the cost or the hassle.

The hakko is a fine beginner iron in the USA where it can be had for like 50 euros. In europe, youd be much better off spending the 150 euros on an ersa analog 60.

[Prospero]

Yea, it does not look like a bad option. I always found the transformer idea a bit dodgy.

[nanofrog]

Your combination of the separate step down transformer & US station will work. Cost wise however, you may be able to find an alternative for similar money that's a better performer.

Ersa iCon Nano would be worth a look IMHO, as it seems to be the best value of a new station in the UK & EU markets right now (newer tech than the RDS80 or Analog 60, but these are still worth considering at the right price on the used market). JBC would be really good to locate if possible (expensive new, but do come up used from time to time). Weller too (i.e. WS81 or WD1 w/ WP80 or WSP80 iron), but I'd look for Ersa and JBC first.

[Prospero]

So you wouldn't recommend the Hakko at €136 http://www.svs.ie/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

I was looking at Ersa I found this one for €130 http://ie.farnell.com/ersa/i-con-pico/soldering-station-80w-240v-eu/dp/2057377
What do you think?

[aon]

You could also get the Hakko for slightly less from Batterfly: http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko_fx-888d?filter_name=fx-888d

[nanofrog]

So you wouldn't recommend the Hakko at €136 http://www.svs.ie/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91

I was looking at Ersa I found this one for €130 http://ie.farnell.com/ersa/i-con-pico/soldering-station-80w-240v-eu/dp/2057377
What do you think?

Assuming the seller is legitimate (was only aware of dancap.co.uk as an authorized Hakko distributor in the UK; they sell them for ~135GBP IIRC), it's about what you'd spend on a US version + step down transformer. Less clutter on your bench, but that (or a larger) step down can allow you to use other fixed US input voltage spec'd gear.

From my perspective, ~136EUR is a lot of money for an FX-888D. As mentioned, it's a decent little station (much better than the Chinese imports), but it's entry level (bottom end). Ersa Pico is the same way (it's Ersa's cheapest station), and it's missing features, such as ESD compliance (will also be the slowest at thermal recovery). Personally, I'd recommend stepping up to the Nano instead (owners put it on par with the Weller WD1 & WP80/WSP80 iron performance wise, but tips are better quality).

Due to costs being so high for quality stations for your location, used is certainly something to consider IMHO. Just need to be sure it has the bare minimum parts to make it work as received (i.e base unit & iron), and that tips are still available (models I mentioned do).

[gmit77]

hello Prospero 
low cost soldering station can become an headache 
there are so many products on the market

maybe a good advice is to pick a product you can find easily spare parts and tips

Hakko FX888D is a decent product, you can read about it in many post, EU version is not only about the transformer but also CE and safety tests. those tests are often the cause of late delivery to Europe when they are first released.

Here to help!

[Prospero]

I was looking at ERSA I-CON PICO do I need a soldering station that is ESD safe?
It is €150 more for the Nano.

[gmit77]

I was looking at ERSA I-CON PICO do I need a soldering station that is ESD safe?
It is €150 more for the Nano.

see here http://www.hakko.com/english/static/pages/esd.html

[nanofrog]

I was looking at ERSA I-CON PICO do I need a soldering station that is ESD safe?
It is €150 more for the Nano.

The following might be of interest. 

Q: What is the meaning of "ESD-safe" in soldering stations?
A: "ESD-safety" guarantees that static energy from your body (hands, etc.) will be "dumped" to ground via the plastic soldering iron handle or solder station plastic housing. Otherwise, the ESD would transfer to the soldering tip, thus destroying the IC you're soldering. The solder station essentially discharges your body's static charge to ground every time you pick up the soldering iron. (Naturally, you should take additional ESD precautions if you're handling *extremely* sensitive components -- and not rely on the solder station for all ESD-safety in the lab!)

Source (the rest might be of interest as well). 

So the short answer is Yes.

For a home lab, an ESD wrist strap, 2 layer rubber ESD mat, and ESD compliant soldering station should be sufficient for most anything you'd be working on.