High quality tips for Aoyue? Hakko? (701A++)

[Chendy]

Hi gang,

Ive got an Aoyue 701A++ soldering station.

Ive seen mention that Hakko tips might be compatible... what high quality tips do people recommend for Aoyue stations?

thanks

[raz221]

As far as I can see, the Aoyue 701A++ is a Hakko 701 replica, and should be compatible with both 900M & T18 series tips (soldering iron) and A1003 nozzles (desoldering). You can source these from multiple places, such as:

http://frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&cat=&query_string=t18
http://www.tequipment.net/search/?F_Keyword=A1003
http://www.tequipment.net/search/?F_Keyword=T18
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=hakko+t18&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xhakko+t18+t.TRS0&_nkw=hakko+t18+tip&_sacat=0
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XA1003+desolder.TRS0&_nkw=A1003+desolder&_sacat=0
http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-900-5-constant-temperature-solder-tip-solder-horn-soldering-bit-silver-5-pcs-313639
http://www.dx.com/p/bangye-by900m-lead-free-sharp-point-welding-soldering-tip-silvery-white-10-pcs-306999
http://www.dx.com/p/jl-jl-900m-t-k-450-c-sharp-tip-head-for-electric-soldering-iron-black-373103
http://www.banggood.com/search/900m-solder-tip.html
http://www.banggood.com/search/907-solder-tip.html
http://www.banggood.com/23-Pcs-ATTEN-Soldering-Iron-Head-U-Shaped-Sharp-Elbow-Flat-Head-p-996728.html

Also, here's a table comparing the 900M to the T18 tips in model numbers:
https://www.hakkousa.com/news/default/font-style-font-weight-bold-color-f00-new-font-font-style-font-weight-bold-hakko-t18-tip-series-replaces-900m-bold-a.html

Anyhow, the 900M tips (to the best of my knowledge) are no longer being manufactured by Hakko.
So it's mostly either old stock, or replicas by other manufacturers (not all of which are bad though!)
But if you want a guaranteed Hakko tip, you should go with T18 ones (as they still make those)
Personally, I like using the 900M-T-2.4D/T18-D24 tip for most tasks, and the 900M-T-I/T18-I for small SMD components, combining wires together, or when working with joints that are extremely close to each other (with very little spacing). I also use both of these solders (depending on the task):
http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0810-0-8mm-soldering-tin-wire-silver-276456
http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0510-b-1-0-5mm-tin-solid-solder-wire-reel-spool-silver-262916
and this flux when needed:
http://www.dx.com/p/high-quality-intensity-soldering-paste-solder-flux-paste-grease-for-ic-pcb-saffron-150g-271982
But each to their own of course, and if you have other preferences, that's fine.
In my opinion though, you should avoid lead-free solder (as it's a pain to work with), and the 63/37 leaded solder (as linked above) is better than 60/40 (get's solid immediately after you release the soldering iron, unlike 60/40, which takes a few seconds more)
Anyhow, I hope you found my reply helpful!

Edit: I've double checked, and it seems that I was wrong on the desoldering nozzles (incompatible with A1003)
You can purchase replacement nozzles from em directly though:
http://www.aoyue.com/en/products/?bID=133&sort_id=168

[BradC]

Edit: I've double checked, and it seems that I was wrong on the desoldering nozzles (incompatible with A1003)
You can purchase replacement nozzles from em directly though:
http://www.aoyue.com/en/products/?bID=133&sort_id=168

You can make them fit "relatively" easily and it completely transforms the usability of the tool.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aoyue-desoldering-tips/msg534046/#msg534046

I have the 701A and a 968. With genuine Hakko tips and consumables they both do what I need them to do at a price I could afford.
The 701A needed some "tuning up", but once it was finished it works as well as the Hakko it cloned.

[nanofrog]

Anyhow, the 900M tips (to the best of my knowledge) are no longer being manufactured by Hakko.

Not all of the 900M series has been discontinued (quite a few still remain actually; primarily those that don't have T18 replacements). Hakko's Tip Selection page will show you what's still manufactured in the 900M series (go to the Tip Series drop down menu). 

I also use both of these solders (depending on the task):
http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0810-0-8mm-soldering-tin-wire-silver-276456
http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0510-b-1-0-5mm-tin-solid-solder-wire-reel-spool-silver-262916

and this flux when needed:
http://www.dx.com/p/high-quality-intensity-soldering-paste-solder-flux-paste-grease-for-ic-pcb-saffron-150g-271982

Genuine Telecore Plus from Alpha Metals is good stuff, though I personally prefer Energized Plus, as it's RA rather than no-clean.  What you linked however, is of dubious origin (might get something that works one time, but not the next  ). There's even a thread in here that compares Asian brands of solder wire, which clearly show the complaints of garbage to be true (Quick dirt-cheap ebay solder comparison).

The stuff with the dull appearance may in fact have the materials reversed by the look of it (i.e. 60 - 63% lead, 37 - 40% tin  )

Flux is a gamble as well. For liquid, MG Chemical's 835 (RA) comes in small bottles suited to hobbyists (available in multiple markets).  For paste, I find Kester's RF741 is really good stuff. Not all markets carry the same products though, or are hideously expensive, but there are other quality brands that can be had (Stannol and Multicore/Loctite are easier to locate in the UK/EU market for example). For more detailed info, search the forum, as there's multiple threads on it.

[raz221]

Edit: I've double checked, and it seems that I was wrong on the desoldering nozzles (incompatible with A1003)
You can purchase replacement nozzles from em directly though:
http://www.aoyue.com/en/products/?bID=133&sort_id=168

You can make them fit "relatively" easily and it completely transforms the usability of the tool.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aoyue-desoldering-tips/msg534046/#msg534046

Interesting.
Thanks for the info! 

Anyhow, the 900M tips (to the best of my knowledge) are no longer being manufactured by Hakko.

Not all of the 900M series has been discontinued (quite a few still remain actually; primarily those that don't have T18 replacements). Hakko's Tip Selection page will show you what's still manufactured in the 900M series (go to the Tip Series drop down menu). 

Thanks for the correction. But still, original 900M series tips are hard to find nowadays (lots of em have a so-called hakko packaging, but no actual hakko markings on the tip itself, so it can be misleading sometimes) so the T18 ones are preferable IMO.
But there's pro's and con's to this of course (as the 900M ones are cheaper, and not all replicas are that bad)

Genuine Telecore Plus from Alpha Metals is good stuff, though I personally prefer Energized Plus, as it's RA rather than no-clean.  What you linked however, is of dubious origin (might get something that works one time, but not the next  ). There's even a thread in here that compares Asian brands of solder wire, which clearly show the complaints of garbage to be true (Quick dirt-cheap ebay solder comparison).
The stuff with the dull appearance may in fact have the materials reversed by the look of it (i.e. 60 - 63% lead, 37 - 40% tin  )

As I previously mentioned, I was speaking from experience.
I've used it myself many times (and ordered from the exact same place) so I can definitely vouch for it.
It's exactly as on the picture, and does act like a 63/37 solder would, plus flows extremely well.
And I'm not sure how you've made it to the conclusion that it's not 63/37 just by "the looks of it" 

Flux is a gamble as well

I honestly don't understand where you're coming from this with all this!
I have made recommendations to some solder/flux that I've used myself (and found to work well)
Now, it's one thing to say that you prefer using something else (I have no problem with that) but trying to
discredit my recommendations based on speculations (just to make your own look better) is something else. 

[nanofrog]

Thanks for the correction. But still, original 900M series tips are hard to find nowadays (lots of em have a so-called hakko packaging, but no actual hakko markings on the tip itself, so it can be misleading sometimes) so the T18 ones are preferable IMO.
But there's pro's and con's to this of course (as the 900M ones are cheaper, and not all replicas are that bad)

I never said the T18 should be avoided; they're excellent tips. And I'd take them over the 900M series as well. But they don't yet cover all of the shapes in the 900M series, such as drag soldering tips.

As per locating them, Hakko will sell directly if you can't find a distributor (or one with stock).

As I previously mentioned, I was speaking from experience.
I've used it myself many times (and ordered from the exact same place) so I can definitely vouch for it.
It's exactly as on the picture, and does act like a 63/37 solder would, plus flows extremely well.
And I'm not sure how you've made it to the conclusion that it's not 63/37 just by "the looks of it" 

Great. You've been lucky.

Generally speaking however, the supplies coming out of China are terrible performers. Now consider it's very easy for a beginner to simplify your statement as Chinese solder & supplies are good, even though that's not specifically what you wrote.

And even though you've gotten some consistency with the particular products you linked, the source may fold, cut corners, or be dismissed by DX for a lower cost replacement at any time. With the buyer likely being unaware of any changes at the time of purchase.  So although it may be better than most of the stuff flogged on eBay, DX, ... , it's still a gamble vs. buying something from a reputable manufacturer.

As per the looking at it comment, the appearance becomes duller as you add more lead to the mix. Ever worked with 50/50 tin-lead for plumbing? That's not as shiny as either 63/37 or 60/40. Worse yet, would be car battery posts. I've also a materials background as well as electronics that resulted in experience testing this sort of stuff (testing incoming components, supplies, ... prior to clearing it for production).

...trying to
discredit my recommendations based on speculations (just to make your own look better) is something else. 

You're making assumptions here. See above.