Author Topic: Complete Rework station or separate hot air gun, soldering iron, infrared thermo  (Read 2306 times)

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Offline nrxnrx

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Hi!

Those don't seem in any way equivalent. The combined station at least attempts to regulate temperature (which is what matters), while the heat gun and soldering iron you linked to do not. Don't think you can use the IR thermometer to do it by hand - you end up measuring nearby board areas and whatever reflects off those shiny solder blobs.

If you're going for electronics, absolutely get the combined station. If you need to strip paint, go for the heat gun.

If you post your budget and your needs more experienced members can point to the better tools. If the budget is as low as possible (everyone's budget, really), just post requirements.

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Mihai
 
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Online wraper

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LOL, that heat gun is only suitable for welding linoleum or removing paint. Soldering iron is simply junk.
I would recommend getting things separate. But if you are going for very bottom end as it seems, combined station probably will be better.
 
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Offline robsimsTopic starter

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Guys you're right.  I had irons, but never had a soldering station before. I don't want to spend a lot of money for now. Along the way i will see what my needs are and then spend more money. My budget is around $100. Shipping included. The shipping company in my country asks a fee of 22% of the price of an item, to ship it to me. So with shipping included, i don't want to spend more than $100. Do you have other better alternatives?
 

Offline Brumby

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Of the options you've presented, the combined station is the better way to go - but even then, you are going to have some challenges.

I have a different model (852D+) with a different brand (W.E.P.) - but it is no doubt made in the same factory.  The layout is very similar.

The good thing is that both the iron and hot air make an attempt at temperature control.  I found my hot air absolutely brilliant for heatshrink tubing and sort of functional for SMD reflow soldering.  The iron, however, was not well made and the air gap between the element and the tip ensured problems would come my way.  I just don't use it as I have a separate temperature controlled soldering iron that does a far better job.


I agree with others about the heat gun you linked to - paint stripping is where it will shine.  The soldering iron is not on the "recommended" list - but I have seen many people develop very competent skills with that type of iron.  The problem, though, is that I speak of a time where through hole was king and packages were generally larger.  These days, such uncontrolled power can wreak havoc unless you are really careful and have developed a high degree of finesse.  Even then, the risks are much higher than with a tool designed for the job.  That iron would be better suited for light to medium car wiring.

The IR thermometer is an unknown.  Why did you want it?  If it was to monitor the temperature of something like a large heatsink, then, while it won't be highly accurate, it could be helpful.  If you want it to monitor a soldering iron, then forget about it.  If you want to measure the temperature of a PCB that you are pre-heating, then it might be helpful.  You would probably need to check if the emissivity factor either (a) is adjustable or (b) matches the material you will use it on.  (If you don't know what that's about - Google it).  I grabbed a cheap IR thermometer a few years ago and I only use it to check on my ceiling temperatures in Summer.
 
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Offline Mechatrommer

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  • reassessing directives...
Soldering iron is simply junk.
do not underestimate the cheapy junk. recently i bought heat gun that came with free cheapy iron similar to that, but to my surprise, it has temp/power knob on the handle that i didnt notice in ads picture.. this..
Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature

anyway, recently i've upgraded my soldering station, from 2in1 852AD (that i dont use much as i dont know how to use it correctly) to space saving more portable unit...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32969987439.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.30f14c4d9GpWYr
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32904835171.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.30f14c4d9GpWYr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/YIHUA-938D-Portable-Hot-Tweezers-Mini-Soldering-Station-110V-220V-for-BGA-SMD-TX/283384398565?hash=item41fb06c2e5:g:Ne0AAOSwZFJcah7v
they dont have dedicated station box, just small controller hanging about separately. i recovered much of my bench space after replacing 852AD with them (controllers hanging on the wall near power outlet)
Nature: Evolution and the Illusion of Randomness (Stephen L. Talbott): Its now indisputable that... organisms “expertise” contextualizes its genome, and its nonsense to say that these powers are under the control of the genome being contextualized - Barbara McClintock
 
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Offline robsimsTopic starter

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Thanks Mechatrommer. They sure look good too. Brumby,  the IR thermometer would be for controlling heat and measure temp of components.  Can the soldering iron on you're (W.E.P.) be replaced  if it fails? I don't see they sell loose irons with the 5 pin cable.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2019, 07:02:05 pm by robsims »
 

Offline Brumby

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Be careful about your expectations of such an IR thermometer.  Definitely read up on emissivity and understand how that can affect measurements.  Make sure you know the field of view and how accurately the displayed figures are (or aren't) against actual temperatures.

As for the soldering iron handle, while it is a screw-in fitment, I'm not sure about replacements.  I've never bothered because the thing that came with the unit was really pitiful.  Yes, it could solder, but it was not an enjoyable exercise.

It may be possible that there is something decent out there that is compatible - even if it requires re-wiring - but I haven't tried chasing that down.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2019, 11:24:25 am by Brumby »
 
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Offline robsimsTopic starter

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Many thanks Brumby. I'll buy the station, but not the IR meter. I'll look for another one. I want the  thermometer to read the temp of heatsinks and components. Also want to use it for other stuff at home.  If someone knows a reliable thermometer, please let me know
« Last Edit: July 31, 2019, 01:34:16 am by robsims »
 

Offline JustMeHere

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 Seperate always.   Multifunction tools always give away bit to single task tools.
 

Online bdunham7

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Hi,

I need a new soldering iron and hot air blower for my bench. I'm deciding between a complete rework station and separate tools like  hot air gun, soldering iron and infrared thermometer. I need some help in deciding, so please share you're experiences

Link to the rework station is

https://www.amazon.com/Smartxchoices-Soldering-Station-Display-Nozzles/dp/B01CBKWG3A/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?keywords=rework+station&pd_rd_i=B01CBKWG3A&pd_rd_r=367dfd0c-0093-4ab3-a793-9d3e86bf1e20&pd_rd_w=1QcsJ&pd_rd_wg=6Zd1e&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=4KY2T0DAKTTT0RZZ90XD&qid=1564370832&s=gateway#customerReviews

Links to the separate tools are:

Infrared meter
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-1022-Thermometer-Temperature-Refrigerator/dp/B013X0NQT0/ref=zg_bs_9931459011_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=JP31HG698ZEG5SEBR5H2&th=1

Heat gun
https://www.amazon.com/Genesis-GHG1500A-Temperature-Nozzle-Attachments/dp/B00EU2T8GG/ref=zg_bs_13837381_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y4V7QNP1R9SCJJMARPHT

Soldering iron
https://www.amazon.com/Businesscastle-Electric-Soldering-Welding-Solder/dp/B07V6NGMBC/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=soldering+iron&qid=1564408150&s=home-garden&sr=1-8

I actually have the standalone version of that hot air station and it isn't pro, but it actually is a halfway decent tool.  I use it more for heatshrink, label removal and plastic welding, but it works well for SMALL surface mount soldering tasks.  You can't really expect much more for a $40 tool.

The soldering iron appears to be a Hakko clone?  I have a genuine Hakko FX-888 and I tried some clone tips and while they work, there's a night and day difference.  I'm sure the rest of the clone iron is equally second rate. Still, I'm sure it's way better than the $3 iron you have listed and it may work fairly well for most things.   

So, for $40 the station is the way to go, quite clearly in my view.  You just can't expect much at that price and reliability is hit and miss.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 
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Offline Shock

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Yes it looks like a Chinese Hakko 907 iron clone (same as Hakko 936), as mentioned never buy cheap all in ones only go for quality multichannel stations.

If you must buy a knock off you can get a Chinese T12 clone for cheap which should outperform this station. The only concern is the smps safety and like any cheap made for China product quality, warranty, and longevity. The 858D+ hot air stations are fairly cheap and if you look around for good prices should be able to get both for under $100 shipped.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 
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