Author Topic: Soldering station recomendations ?  (Read 7260 times)

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Offline Tarloth

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #25 on: October 13, 2018, 04:29:32 am »
In all the areas that I know, someone always supposes that they can manufacture some quality product for a much lower price.

They do not take into account the profits of the intermediaries, transport from the factory, stock (money cost), taxes, die-making, support, design, etc. Hopefully Hakko earns 20 dollars for every 888 that he sells! I suspect that they finally earn even less per unit.

Believe me lordvader88, take the offer of blueskull, it's actually a marvelous offer.  If it were not because I have one I would have accepted it :-)
 

Offline mrpackethead

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Offline Tarloth

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #27 on: October 13, 2018, 06:32:53 am »
If you need to do a good alternative to original one it's neccesary take note of some points

a) NOT use a Switching power supply! No good brands uses a switching power supply. Two problem with it. A transformer isolates galvanically mains from the tip, a Switching power source NO. Second problem, switching DC with PWM generate a lot of high frequency noise, with a transformer the controller blocks entire cycles of AC and the noise it's inexistent because the chop it's at zero crossing.

b) Original handle and cable of all big brands are ESD safe. If you choose a clone handle use a metalic one (clever option) or a plastic tha conducts ESD, most of Chinese handles aren't ESD safe and some components are very sensible.

c) Again, design the circuit for ESD safe! Several years ago I saw a group in a school pull hair appart because some circuits worked and some not. The failure was aleatory. The only solution was use a ESD solder and a good ESD matt in the desk. All circuits work like a charm after that. 

If you have the transformer it's a very big saving, If not, think in buy a used original controller, good transformers are not cheap. A good handle it's mandatory, if you can make one with a metallic tube and ground it to the station it's safe and cheap.

But not any T12's controller variant can be compared with a product that was designed to last decades and work under severe certifications.

It's possible to make a good replacement? Yes, but with some precautions. TS100 cost the same that a new 888D and it's worse than it. Some T12 clone units cost (using a transformer) the same that a used 951 with all the components.
 

Offline benii

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #28 on: October 14, 2018, 03:05:26 pm »
Looking for recommendations in EU area, Im currently looking models ERSA icon-1 325€ or icon nano around 200€, those seem to be easily available, JBC starts from 500€ and pace I didnt really even find.
 

Offline Tarloth

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #29 on: October 14, 2018, 03:38:51 pm »
I buy mine Hakko from Batterfly Italy, excellent service and send to all europe and rest of the world!
 
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Offline TheBay

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #30 on: October 14, 2018, 04:01:11 pm »
I buy mine Hakko from Batterfly Italy, excellent service and send to all europe and rest of the world!
I keep meaning to check Batterfly, I use Dancap in the UK for my Hakko stuff and supplies.
 

Offline Shock

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #31 on: October 14, 2018, 05:13:13 pm »
Looking for recommendations in EU area, Im currently looking models ERSA icon-1 325€ or icon nano around 200€, those seem to be easily available, JBC starts from 500€ and pace I didnt really even find.

Pace on their website links this distributor but it should be carried by most Pace distributors in Europe or they can at least get it in for you. I believe list is 325€ as well.
http://www.prodi.fi/node/30

I'm biased obviously as I knew about the Esra stations but went with the new Pace stations when they came out. But anyway here are my thoughts on it:

The Pico is not ESD safe and has a pretty average stand so take a good look at it before buying. The Nano has an antistatic design and better stand. Both are similar performance according to Esra (68W according to the manual).

They are about half the weight and size of the Pace ADS200 in fact the ADS200s transformer looks too large to fit inside an Esra case. Aside from 120W power the ADS200 has several features those two Esra stations are missing the biggies are no calibration required, aluminum iron, shorter tip to work distance, quick tip swapping. The Pace, Metcal and JBC equivalents are cartridge based irons they all take about 5 seconds to do a tip swap. Pace includes the best tool for the job in my opinion.

Looking at the Esra handle the tip distance it seems longer, there is extra plastic taken up by the collar that is used to secure the tip to the iron. You might also want to check the prices on those tips compared to Paces cartridges. The only other thing that strikes me with those two Esras is the temp set digits look super tiny and you might want to check if it has an LCD backlight.

If you do decide to get a Pace ADS200, for a little more you can get the instant setback version this has a cable that connects to the station to allow a configurable triggered low temp mode. So good if you are only doing intermittent soldering and want to keep the station on and save power. Ensure you also order some cartridge tips.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 

Offline benii

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #32 on: October 15, 2018, 01:42:17 pm »
Looking for recommendations in EU area, Im currently looking models ERSA icon-1 325€ or icon nano around 200€, those seem to be easily available, JBC starts from 500€ and pace I didnt really even find.

Pace on their website links this distributor but it should be carried by most Pace distributors in Europe or they can at least get it in for you. I believe list is 325€ as well.
http://www.prodi.fi/node/30

I'm biased obviously as I knew about the Esra stations but went with the new Pace stations when they came out. But anyway here are my thoughts on it:

The Pico is not ESD safe and has a pretty average stand so take a good look at it before buying. The Nano has an antistatic design and better stand. Both are similar performance according to Esra (68W according to the manual).

They are about half the weight and size of the Pace ADS200 in fact the ADS200s transformer looks too large to fit inside an Esra case. Aside from 120W power the ADS200 has several features those two Esra stations are missing the biggies are no calibration required, aluminum iron, shorter tip to work distance, quick tip swapping. The Pace, Metcal and JBC equivalents are cartridge based irons they all take about 5 seconds to do a tip swap. Pace includes the best tool for the job in my opinion.

Looking at the Esra handle the tip distance it seems longer, there is extra plastic taken up by the collar that is used to secure the tip to the iron. You might also want to check the prices on those tips compared to Paces cartridges. The only other thing that strikes me with those two Esras is the temp set digits look super tiny and you might want to check if it has an LCD backlight.

If you do decide to get a Pace ADS200, for a little more you can get the instant setback version this has a cable that connects to the station to allow a configurable triggered low temp mode. So good if you are only doing intermittent soldering and want to keep the station on and save power. Ensure you also order some cartridge tips.

Thanks prodi gave me an ok price for ads200, think I'll go with that, I like its metal construction more.
 

Online tooki

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Re: Soldering station recomendations ?
« Reply #33 on: October 15, 2018, 03:09:42 pm »
Looking for recommendations in EU area, Im currently looking models ERSA icon-1 325€ or icon nano around 200€, those seem to be easily available, JBC starts from 500€ and pace I didnt really even find.

Pace on their website links this distributor but it should be carried by most Pace distributors in Europe or they can at least get it in for you. I believe list is 325€ as well.
http://www.prodi.fi/node/30

I'm biased obviously as I knew about the Esra stations but went with the new Pace stations when they came out. But anyway here are my thoughts on it:

The Pico is not ESD safe and has a pretty average stand so take a good look at it before buying. The Nano has an antistatic design and better stand. Both are similar performance according to Esra (68W according to the manual).

They are about half the weight and size of the Pace ADS200 in fact the ADS200s transformer looks too large to fit inside an Esra case. Aside from 120W power the ADS200 has several features those two Esra stations are missing the biggies are no calibration required, aluminum iron, shorter tip to work distance, quick tip swapping. The Pace, Metcal and JBC equivalents are cartridge based irons they all take about 5 seconds to do a tip swap. Pace includes the best tool for the job in my opinion.

Looking at the Esra handle the tip distance it seems longer, there is extra plastic taken up by the collar that is used to secure the tip to the iron. You might also want to check the prices on those tips compared to Paces cartridges. The only other thing that strikes me with those two Esras is the temp set digits look super tiny and you might want to check if it has an LCD backlight.

If you do decide to get a Pace ADS200, for a little more you can get the instant setback version this has a cable that connects to the station to allow a configurable triggered low temp mode. So good if you are only doing intermittent soldering and want to keep the station on and save power. Ensure you also order some cartridge tips.
Ersa, not Esra. And they were comparing the i-CON 1 and the nano, not the pico and the nano.

I have the i-CON Nano. The distance from the edge of the grip to the tip of the included 1.6mm chisel is 52mm (ADS200 page states 48mm). Ersa tips are very inexpensive, under €10 for normal types. As long as you also buy an extra ferrule for each tip, changing tips is easily done with no tools, even while hot.

The Nano (and pico) LCD is not backlit, which is annoying IMHO. (I modded mine with LED sidelights.) The i-CON 1 and bigger all have backlit graphical LCDs.

The Nano (and pico) uses idle-time based setback, with wake up determined by sudden temp plunge from touching the brass wool. Works well most of the time, but when it's in a cooldown phase (e.g. cooling from working temp->setback, or setback->standby), it's expecting a temp drop and won't wake automatically. (Pressing any button wakes it.) The i-CON 1 and bigger use an accelerometer in the handle for setback.

Ersa's specs are maddening, in terms of wattages. The nano and pico are both rated 68W, or 80W, depending on where you look. (Is the 80W peak??) The i-CON 1 is rated at 80W — or 150W. The 1 and nano share the same heater module, which is rated 150W. (The pico uses a cheaper plastic-bodied heater.)


Ersa is a bit more affordable in Europe, thanks to being a European brand. But it looks like the ADS200 is probably a bit better. For sure, as of right now, Ersa is more readily available in Europe.
 


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