Solder station, FX-888D or T12

[Kantilo]

Hello, do you think the T12 is better than the FX-888D?
Thanks

[pqass]

Have a look at this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/t12-clone-vs-888-practical-test-results/

[Kerlin]

I have found the FX-888D not up to what I require.
It's made of thin flimsy plastic and as a result bends and flexes too easily when used and doesn't stand much wear and tear.
All the plastic and metal parts have been made too thin, saves a few cents.
Have used it at home, at work in the lab. Tried it on a production line as the sales rep insisted it was ok
, found the same problems in less than a week.

[Kantilo]

Thank you so I will take the T12

[bdunham7]

I have found the FX-888D not up to what I require.
It's made of thin flimsy plastic and as a result bends and flexes too easily when used and doesn't stand much wear and tear.

What part of it bends and flexes during use???

[floobydust]

The FX-888 is a high quality soldering station, nothing wrong with it for general purpose work. I don't find it flimsy with the die-cast base.
Production seems to like them, aside from the clunky user interface.

It's not the greatest for fine SMT work or high heat, so the T12 does better there. I prefer Weller for GP work.

[JeanF]

I have found the FX-888D not up to what I require.
It's made of thin flimsy plastic and as a result bends and flexes too easily when used and doesn't stand much wear and tear.
All the plastic and metal parts have been made too thin, saves a few cents.
Have used it at home, at work in the lab. Tried it on a production line as the sales rep insisted it was ok
, found the same problems in less than a week.

I have the older FX-888 version (with a potentiometer for temp control), if I'm not mistaken the FX-888D is identical except the front panel and control circuit ; they have the same chassis, same iron, holder etc.

I also have a KSGER "T12 soldering station" version 2.1S in extruded aluminium case that I bought on Aliexpress.

I'm not in a production environment and don't know the specifics of Kerlin's requirements, but as a hobbyist, in my opinion it is actually quite the contrary. The FX888 iron and station have been very reliable for me over the years. The T12 station has nowhere near the same build quality, its PSU is junk with safety issues which have to be addressed as soon as you buy it, and the iron itself is crap made of brittle plastic.

"Cartridge" technology VS "traditional heater + separate tip" has been discussed many times here, I highly recommend you dig a little bit with your favorite search engine. Obviously there are better irons than the classic FX888D, but I actually don't think a T12 clone is one of them. Just my 2 cents !

[Kerlin]

The FX-888 is a high quality soldering station, nothing wrong with it for general purpose work. I don't find it flimsy with the die-cast base.
Production seems to like them, aside from the clunky user interface.

It's not the greatest for fine SMT work or high heat, so the T12 does better there. I prefer Weller for GP work.

Hey you don't use the base to solder eh? eh?

Hold a 888 iron and you will note that its is extremely light weight.
Hold a cold 888, by the part you use the handle eh?,  and press the tip down on a bench top a little bit and see what happens,  the 907/901 series does NOT do that.
I have had a massive trouble getting parts for Weller here in Australia. The sales representatives told me to call Coopers Tools, I called them and they don't have and wont get any spares.
Both were embarrassing to me as I recommended them for production use at work.
For home use were we expect them to be universal and solder larger items, in particular for high power projects, a larger medium size temperature controlled iron is the way to go. They can be fitted with a small chisel tip bit and handle SMD quite well.

[xavier60]

The hand piece of my FX888D is light, rigid and strong.
It's the 936 clones that have the weak nipple nut, https://cdn.wes.com.au/prodimages/Section14_Images/Hakko/b2022.jpg
I only ever use the T18-S4 tip with my FX888D. It can deal with SMD to soldering M5 screw terminals into 2 oz PCB.
https://core-electronics.com.au/hakko-t18-s4-soldering-tip.html

[floobydust]

I could not bend my FX-888 handle at all, in fact I could kill someone with it as a great weapon.
I wonder if you have a fake or maybe just a really strong hand. It's doesn't flex for me.

The T12 clones are shit in comparison, china will never make a decent soldering iron stand lol.

[tkamiya]

I have three FX-888D.  It's a fine soldering station and pencil style iron.  I don't think it's weak in any way.  The tip changing system is rather ingenious, I think.  Also, Hakko will sell you any parts you might need; rather unusual for a Japanese manufacturer.

An only complaint is its display and how to adjust temperature.  Can't really make any changes without taking out the instructions note.  Even then it's confusing and difficult.  I'd prefer analog dial actually.  But since I don't change temperature once it's set to my liking, it hasn't been a problem.  It's a bargain at $100US or little less.

[Doctorandus_P]

I've looked at a bunch of T12 clones (both from sellers and youtube reviews) and there is a lot of quality difference in the handles. The cheapest go for EUR 8 or less and are just crap (flimsy PCB) while the more expensive versions look quite good. There are at least 4 different versions of the internals from the crappy EUR 8 handles to nearing EUR 30 for just the handle and cord (no tips or electronics).

China is also quite a big country with over a billion people and a culture which likes to copy and laws that promote it. And those copies vary in quality.

So it's the same old story. You get what you pay for. (Unless you're Murphy, then you pay top prices for the crappiest stuff).

[RayRay]

I've looked at a bunch of T12 clones (both from sellers and youtube reviews) and there is a lot of quality difference in the handles. The cheapest go for EUR 8 or less and are just crap (flimsy PCB) while the more expensive versions look quite good. There are at least 4 different versions of the internals from the crappy EUR 8 handles to nearing EUR 30 for just the handle and cord (no tips or electronics).

China is also quite a big country with over a billion people and a culture which likes to copy and laws that promote it. And those copies vary in quality.

So it's the same old story. You get what you pay for. (Unless you're Murphy, then you pay top prices for the crappiest stuff).

The basic handle (all plastic, black handle with rubber grip) is fine for most soldering work, for SMD stuff, the 9501 style handle would be more suitable (less spacing between the tip to the handle) Anyhow, there's absolutely no justifable reason to spend 30 euros on any T12 handle (it's def not worth it). As for T12 stations themselves (in terms of quality) I'd say you're talking nonsense. T12 stations are very high-end can work just as well as an FX888D (and for lesser money!) that said, some T12 stations use a metal case (with the case itself not grounded) which is not so good in terms of safety (but there are ways to easily address that) and it's also possible to get one with a plastic case, or build a T12 station yourself from parts. This kit for instance provides excellent value for money:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32790086981.html
Also, there are generally two type of controllers for T12, led and oled. Personally, I prefer the standard (led) one.

[rdl]

This is one of the biggest problems buying Chinese products. You literally never know what you're going to get. Two items which appear to be identical are often completely different in every other way.

...
China is also quite a big country with over a billion people and a culture which likes to copy and laws that promote it. And those copies vary in quality.
...

[RayRay]

This is one of the biggest problems buying Chinese products. You literally never know what you're going to get. Two items which appear to be identical are often completely different in every other way.

You do realize that over 90% of consumer electronics (incl TVs, phones, routers, kids toys, computer motherboards and monitors) are made in China, right? Just because a product is MIC it doesn't necessarily mean it's of poor or questionable quality.

[xavier60]

I'd be concerned about ending up with one of these T12 stations that has high EMI which could be a real nuisance on the bench.
Has anyone experienced this?

[floobydust]

The cheapest T12 clone 24VDC PSU is unstable, too small capacitors so it does make a lot of extra EMI.
The more expensive PSU has no TL431 compensation and I haven't scoped the output to see if it runs stable and how much EMI it spews. None are the greatest designs, it's all about lowest cost.

Hakko FX-888 just a mains power transformer, nice and electrically quiet.

[rdl]

I said nothing about quality, only consistency.

... Just because a product is MIC it doesn't necessarily mean it's of poor or questionable quality.

[RayRay]

I'd be concerned about ending up with one of these T12 stations that has high EMI which could be a real nuisance on the bench.
Has anyone experienced this?

Never, and honestly, it sounds like some made up BS excuse to sway people into shelling out more money on needlessly expensive stations. Btw, I'm using this PSU with the standard LED T12 controller:
https://www.banggood.com/Geekcreit-AC100-220V-to-DC-24V-Switching-Power-Supply-Board-AC-DC-Power-Module-p-969204.html

[RayRay]

I said nothing about quality, only consistency.

... Just because a product is MIC it doesn't necessarily mean it's of poor or questionable quality.

That's pretty much the same thing (you're just playing with semantics!) and I still strongly disagree. A lot of things MIC do have consistency.

[xavier60]

Prices for the FX88D had risen a lot since buying my first, putting me off buying a second.
I have just snapped up one of these, https://www.oritech.com.au/hakko-fx888d-soldering-station.html

Mektronics also, https://www.mektronics.com.au/hakko-fx-888d-digital-soldering-station-genuine-incl-free-roll-of-solder-mc334.html

[tooki]

I have three FX-888D.  It's a fine soldering station and pencil style iron.  I don't think it's weak in any way.  The tip changing system is rather ingenious, I think.

How do you figure? It seems like a clunky, exceptionally annoying design to me.

[Old Printer]

I have had my FX888D for at least five years, it is anything but flimsy and weak. Hakko tips are excellent as well and last a long time if reasonably cared for. The one catch is to make sure you do not get a counterfeit unit or buy knock-off tips. There are a lot of them out there so it is important to buy from an authorized dealer and pay the going rate. Never make your purchase decision based on one opinion.

[HobGoblyn]

I have three FX-888D.  It's a fine soldering station and pencil style iron.  I don't think it's weak in any way.  The tip changing system is rather ingenious, I think.

How do you figure? It seems like a clunky, exceptionally annoying design to me.

I like my FX888D, but I hate having to have to change the tip when hot

[tooki]

I have three FX-888D.  It's a fine soldering station and pencil style iron.  I don't think it's weak in any way.  The tip changing system is rather ingenious, I think.

How do you figure? It seems like a clunky, exceptionally annoying design to me.

I like my FX888D, but I hate having to have to change the tip when hot

Indeed. I’m sure it solders well, I was only commenting on the tip retention system. I can’t understand how anyone would call it “ingenious”. Of all the tip retention systems I’ve ever seen, it seems like the most annoying of all!