Soldering station for a Newbie

[analogo]

i would recommend anything that uses T12 Hakko tips.
that could range from 20Euro to hundreds.

What is good about the T12 Hakko tips?

I have a FX-888D (so T18 tips) bought from http://www.watterott.com/de/Hakko-Loetstation-FX-888D (official DE distributor, IIUC) and I find the T18 tips very nice. What makes the T12 tips better?

[stj]

T12 have the heater built into the end, they dont slip onto a seperate one.

a T12 "tip" is actually everything except the plastic handle.
this makes them heat and respond faster.

it's the way to go,
hakko did it first, but now jbl and weller have made similar irons.

[Electro Fan]

looks like a good deal on Hakko FX-888D

http://www.frys.com/product/7550776?source=google&gclid=CIe1_8mqsdQCFYQ1aQodgKsJ_w

- Edit:  was $68 June 9, back to $99.99 today

[Electro Fan]

maybe Hakko is changing product color

https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

[stj]

that's the silver option that's never in stock for long!

on the older 888(not D) it also came in a nice shade of dark red!

[P90]

I wondering why used Metcal SP200 are cheap used, are they no good?

[eugenenine]

@Mauroh :

Interesting that this iron took 22 seconds to melt solder.

I have read that the genuine hakko FX-951 takes something close to 5 seconds. So now I have to wonder what gives. Spec on the Bakon950D says 75W. Same as the Hakko.

I always wondered how T12 tip using only 15% more power can heat up that much faster than an 888.... which takes about 20 seconds from cold. I understand that the feedback loop can be tighter, which means you can potentially run at slightly lower temp for given joint sizes. But that doesn't significantly affect cold start time. Just looking at the tip, I can't figure out where it is that much more efficient. It looks like a significant chunk of metal... what is highly thermally capacitive and conductive, one might presume. When you swap a hot tip, is the entire back of the tip cold, or some other magic like that, due to special alloy and composite construction?

Or are FX951 users deluded when they say a cold start takes like 5 seconds?

I think its more 8-10 seconds but still pretty fast.

[stj]

yes we get robbed in Europe buying original Hakko stuff.
i dont understand why there is so much difference in price compared to the u.s.

[P90]

yes we get robbed in Europe buying original Hakko stuff.
i dont understand why there is so much difference in price compared to the u.s.

That's unfortunate, but look on the bright side, you don't have an asshole like Trump.
 ;-)

[stj]

we have our own assholes who are far less articulate or photogenic.
probably with the same banker/shadow-government hand up their ass.

[P90]

we have our own assholes who are far less articulate or photogenic.
probably with the same banker/shadow-government hand up their ass.

lol
not to derail the track, I haven't used a Metcal,  someone local  is selling a sp-200 no iron, for $50, is that any good?

[stj]

be carefull and do your homework,
not all metcal units are RF based.

[P90]

Yeah, they have so many damn models!

[KL27x]

looks like a good deal on Hakko FX-888D

http://www.frys.com/product/7550776?source=google&gclid=CIe1_8mqsdQCFYQ1aQodgKsJ_w

- Edit:  was $68 June 9, back to $99.99 today

I read your post and went 30 minutes out of my way to stop by Fry's, Monday. The deal was still going, and that was the 12th. There were two left on the shelf.

My first one is going on 8 years and I haven't changed or wore out even a tip, yet. But $68.00 is cheaper than even a genuine Hakko replacement iron.

I think its [FX950/1 cold start] more 8-10 seconds but still pretty fast.

Well, after watching the vid of one warming up in 17 seconds, I thought about it some more. It takes my 888 about 20 to melt solder, but the guy in the vid set his to 750. So I was shortchanging the 950. Turns out it takes my 888 around 27 seconds to reach 750F with a cold 3mm bevel tip. So I can believe under 10 seconds for just melting solder, and yeah, that is pretty fast. I bet the difference is pretty noticeable on computer motherboards and the like.

[Cliff Matthews]

This one warms-up in a few seconds (and it's portable).

[stj]

i love this guy's video's
he really lays into weller!

[Electro Fan]

looks like a good deal on Hakko FX-888D

http://www.frys.com/product/7550776?source=google&gclid=CIe1_8mqsdQCFYQ1aQodgKsJ_w

- Edit:  was $68 June 9, back to $99.99 today

I read your post and went 30 minutes out of my way to stop by Fry's, Monday. The deal was still going, and that was the 12th. There were two left on the shelf.

My first one is going on 8 years and I haven't changed or wore out even a tip, yet. But $68.00 is cheaper than even a genuine Hakko replacement iron.

I think its [FX950/1 cold start] more 8-10 seconds but still pretty fast.

Well, after watching the vid of one warming up in 17 seconds, I thought about it some more. It takes my 888 about 20 to melt solder, but the guy in the vid set his to 750. So I was shortchanging the 950. Turns out it takes my 888 around 27 seconds to reach 750F with a cold 3mm bevel tip. So I can believe under 10 seconds for just melting solder, and yeah, that is pretty fast. I bet the difference is pretty noticeable on computer motherboards and the like.

Cool, congrats!
I don't really need another soldering iron but I'm thinking I should have gone back; never know how many soldering irons might be required in case the 19 oscilloscope quota is ever reached

[eugenenine]

I think its [FX950/1 cold start] more 8-10 seconds but still pretty fast.

Well, after watching the vid of one warming up in 17 seconds, I thought about it some more. It takes my 888 about 20 to melt solder, but the guy in the vid set his to 750. So I was shortchanging the 950. Turns out it takes my 888 around 27 seconds to reach 750F with a cold 3mm bevel tip. So I can believe under 10 seconds for just melting solder, and yeah, that is pretty fast. I bet the difference is pretty noticeable on computer motherboards and the like.

I originally didn't want to pay that much (for the 951) but I haven't bought myself anything nice in a long time so I splurged and am happy I did.  Sure I don't need 10 seconds vs 30 seconds warm up but its nice to have.

[KL27x]

Ha. Just to clarify, i am thinking its more like 8 to 10 seconds vs 20 to reach the temp to melt lead solder.

Or 17 vs 27 to reach a toastier temp of 750F.

I have done my due diligence when i say that. Best i can do without having a 951, myself.

Unless u have new data to add, i would think claiming 10s vs 30s is comparing the one's apple to the other's orange.

[OctoTech91]

Very interesting topic!

[mikeys]

JBC might be a bit overkill, Dave used an 888 for years before he got his JCB and managed fine. I bought an 888D from an authorised reseller in the UK and it's really quite good.

[stj]

it depends what your doing.
i'v worked on ATX power supplies where i really wish i had the 250w JBC!! 

[Aviator X]

I'm going to try a couple of different soldering irons in the next few months. The Sywon K601 and the TS100.