Soldering station

[SuperMiguel]

So i need to get a new soldering station mine broke yesterday.. (it was a $5 one)
Which one you guys recommend? i want it to last for my entire degree (im an ee student 3rd year)

Alot of people recommend the WES51  for around $100 anything better than that? or you guys also recommend that WES51?

[Vexer]

I'd get that one or a Hakko FX-888(though it doesn't seem to be available in the US right now).

[JohnS_AZ]

I have a Metcal station but about a year ago I had to run out and grab a backup while I waited for a new heater for the Metcal to be shipped. I snagged one of these...

http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

Granted at $40 US it's a cheapo (I think it's a rebranded Hakko 936), but the thing has really performed well. Far better than I expected.

Turns out it's nice to have this one to drag around so I can leave the Metcal on the bench (the Metcal is crazy expensive).

[SuperMiguel]

alot of people are also recommending Aoyue 937+ , you guys have any input on that?

[SuperMiguel]

bah just ordered the Weller WESD51

[bearman]

I just bought a Hakko 936-12

Tequipment has them on sale for $78.98  USD.  They have great price on extra tips also.  I picked up several tips along with the 936 order.   I hate not having spares on hand

They must be clearing them out for when the FX888 hits the USA.

It is my first solder station.   I love it.    I always had crap Radio Shack type irons.  Boy did I miss out on a great tool all these years.

Tequipment had fast shipping also to USA midwest area.

[nyo]

I have a Hakko 936-12 as well and it rocks. Bought for under US$90 on ebay and it came with 10 different extra tips.

[ModemHead]

Regardless of which iron you get, do get a dry tip cleaner (the one that looks like a pot-scrubber).  You'll never mess with a wet sponge again.

[djsb]

Pace MBT350

http://www.gsaservice.com/pace_desoldering_soldering_bga_rework_fume_extraction.htm

Expensive, but will last a lifetime.

[SuperMiguel]

Regardless of which iron you get, do get a dry tip cleaner (the one that looks like a pot-scrubber).  You'll never mess with a wet sponge again.

this: http://store.curiousinventor.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/r/dry_tip_cleaner_main.jpg ?

[kaptain_zero]

Regardless of which iron you get, do get a dry tip cleaner (the one that looks like a pot-scrubber).  You'll never mess with a wet sponge again.

OK, I'm probably dating myself, and I'm probably proving I'm a tightwad, but, my tip cleaner actually IS an old brass pot scrubber! I eventually decided to moisten it with some liquid flux but it's worked quite well without. I've never actually used one of the commercial versions....  The local shop wants $20 for a Hakko unit...... I get a 3 pack of brass scrubbers for $2 at the grocery store. One day I'll break down and buy a *real* one as they hopefully work even better.

Regards

Christian


PS: I did pick up a new Hakko 936, they were going cheap here too (Canada). 

[SuperMiguel]

Regardless of which iron you get, do get a dry tip cleaner (the one that looks like a pot-scrubber).  You'll never mess with a wet sponge again.

OK, I'm probably dating myself, and I'm probably proving I'm a tightwad, but, my tip cleaner actually IS an old brass pot scrubber! I eventually decided to moisten it with some liquid flux but it's worked quite well without. I've never actually used one of the commercial versions....  The local shop wants $20 for a Hakko unit...... I get a 3 pack of brass scrubbers for $2 at the grocery store. One day I'll break down and buy a *real* one as they hopefully work even better.

Regards

Christian


PS: I did pick up a new Hakko 936, they were going cheap here too (Canada). 

how is the Hakko 936 compared with the weller wesd51, besides that it looks cooler

[kaptain_zero]

Well, I don't have any experience with the Weller unit you reference, but by the specs I'd say that if it were anywhere near as cheap as what a Hakko 936 goes for you your end of the world, I'd buy it vs the Hakko. The Weller has a temperature readout that the Hakko 936 does not..... Both are industry quality gear otherwise and so there you go.

Around here, Weller has always been well supported and easily purchased, Hakko has only fairly recently moved in on the scene. My previous station was a Weller, but it wasn't as fancy as the the 51 and I didn't like the way the element was wired in the hand piece, but to be fair, I purchased it second hand and I only ran it until it broke after my cheap as possible repair lasted.  Perhaps someone else with more experience can chime in?


Regards

Christian

[TopherTheME]

I don't own a wesd51 but I've used them a lot at a previous employer. They are a good iron, not as nice as some of the metcals, but for the money they are pretty good. My only real complaint about them is the very ugly blue color and the tips always seemed to wear out kinda fast.

[david77]

A Weller station for around $100 (~85,00EUR)?
I don't believe it! The cheapest Weller here in Germany (WTCP51 - Magnastat, not temp. controlled!) starts at about 170,00 EUR!

It might be worth checking out the shipping cost from USA...