Author Topic: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?  (Read 7358 times)

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Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #25 on: October 30, 2018, 06:43:10 pm »
So what I'm gathering from this is that X-Tronic is a poor crap copy of XyTronics -- an actual American company, and that XyTronics makes good products?

I found this on Amazon: http://a.co/d/0mJ4zhS
 and I would actually buy this for my brother if it's a better (safer) product than his X-Tronic thing. But I need knowledgeable advice since I have no experience with this stuff.

Regards,
--James
« Last Edit: October 30, 2018, 06:44:54 pm by JJST »
 

Offline helius

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #26 on: October 30, 2018, 07:56:25 pm »
Xytronic is a Taiwanese company that has been making soldering tools for about 40 years (founded in 1980).
X-Tronic is a company that rebadges Chinese devices (such as the W.E.P. 853D shown above) and slaps their name on them—their web site was created in 2011.
There is no relationship between Xytronic and X-tronic, despite a similar-sounding name. The whole affair is reminscent of a "white box speaker scam".
 

Offline westfw

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #27 on: October 31, 2018, 02:14:04 am »
Meh.  It'll work fine.   2x or more markup is about standard for companies that import and re-brand Chinese-manufactured products.  And there are VERY MANY of those...
The replacement you suggested doesn't have hot air or the power supply, both of which are very useful.
 

Offline nanofrog

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #28 on: October 31, 2018, 02:48:39 am »
If it were me, I'd opt for:Similar money, but decent quality (definitely an upgrade from the X-tronic).

TEquipment offers a 6% discount for EEVBlog members.

Last but not least, Hakko's Tip Selection page will show you what shapes are used for what.
 

Offline cdev

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #29 on: October 31, 2018, 02:58:08 am »
Can you afford around $100? Get a Hakko Fx-888D from Frys. It comes with a nice chisel tip and its solidly built, heats up quickly. Presets are fine, just leave them as is.

Its built very well. Mine is blue and yellow.

The chisel tip is very versatile - it has a point - with a flat surface in one tip- it really is two tips in one. Since I got it I have not needed to use any other tips yet. The hakko is a pleasure to use-  vs. my old iron would not regulate the temperature as well as I wanted with different kinds of work. I had to adjust it a lot, up and down.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2018, 03:32:52 am by cdev »
"What the large print giveth, the small print taketh away."
 

Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #30 on: October 31, 2018, 03:09:41 am »
Well, I'm a writer making a writer's wage... not independently wealthy by any means. But if the X-Tronic is a safety hazard, I would help my brother out, who is currently taking paid online classes for electronics. and on a tight budget.

As I think he has said, this isn't the time for top of the line gear and spending a lot of money, it's about just getting usable equipment for him to practice with and apply some of what he is learning. My main concern was if this is a safe unit for him to do it with. He can upgrade when he starts making his own money with his skills.

I know that he wanted a combo unit for the space-saving. He looked at even cheaper units, but even he thought that they were dodgy.

Regards,
--James
« Last Edit: October 31, 2018, 03:12:35 am by JJST »
 

Offline SpinDoctor

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #31 on: October 31, 2018, 02:58:54 pm »
see this is what i dont get
Everyone except westfw says that the xtronic is cheap chinese crap

then they say to get the quick station

What's the difference   
they are both foreign

And if mine is really a piece of junk thatll start a forest fire like james thinks, then what is a good solder and hot air for the same price as the xtronic?
 

Offline wraper

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #32 on: October 31, 2018, 03:14:52 pm »
What's the difference   
they are both foreign
The difference is that you paid almost twice of what it actually costs, therefore expect quality as if you bought it for $130. BTW don't expect that built in PSU can output maximum 5A current for prolonged time and not fail. Quick has proven to make excellent equipment at reasonable price. At least heater should be thermally protected thus preventing from possible fire.
 

Offline SpinDoctor

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #33 on: October 31, 2018, 06:24:19 pm »
Ok heres the thing.  This the a quick hot sir station
Quick 861DW 1000W Digital Rework Station with LCD Display https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EID23J6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jdF2BbRWV1PHS

alone it is more expensive than my xtronic and has no reviews st all
but forget that
here is another unit
VIPFIX 110V 1000W QUICK 861DW Hot Air Station with 3Pcs Free Nozzles Original Soldering Station for iPhone Miro Soldering Rework (Full Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B7KL943/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6eF2BbDZTNBDK

this one is the exact same unit just with gray paint instead of white.
How fo we know that quick is not doing the same as xtronic?

I really dont understand the point you are trying to make wraper, or what it has to do with my unit burning down a house, or why people think one is safe and one is not
 

Offline wraper

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #34 on: October 31, 2018, 07:19:26 pm »
Ok heres the thing.  This the a quick hot sir station
Quick 861DW 1000W Digital Rework Station with LCD Display https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EID23J6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jdF2BbRWV1PHS

alone it is more expensive than my xtronic and has no reviews st all
but forget that
here is another unit
VIPFIX 110V 1000W QUICK 861DW Hot Air Station with 3Pcs Free Nozzles Original Soldering Station for iPhone Miro Soldering Rework (Full Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B7KL943/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6eF2BbDZTNBDK

this one is the exact same unit just with gray paint instead of white.
How fo we know that quick is not doing the same as xtronic?

I really dont understand the point you are trying to make wraper, or what it has to do with my unit burning down a house, or why people think one is safe and one is not
Did anyone suggest you buying 861DW?  |O, people including me suggested buying <$100 model. I'm not aware of single Quick that melted like W.E.P. Build quality is better and needed thermal protection is in place unlike crappy W.E.P units. Also when I was working in repair business in a decade ago, Quick was among the equipment authorized by Motorola. BTW 861DW has plenty of positive reviews, teardowns and even videos from popular bloggers.
 

Offline wraper

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #35 on: October 31, 2018, 07:25:09 pm »
Here you have your reviews. https://www.tequipment.net/Quick/861DW/Desoldering-Equipment/Rework-Stations/
People usually don't buy soldering equipment from Amazon anyway, especially if it's not sold by amazon itself but 3rd party sellers.
 

Offline KL27x

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #36 on: October 31, 2018, 07:38:39 pm »
I have a combo X-tronic station. It is one of the fancier models. The only things "wrong" with it, is low quality plastic in the handpiece. The plastic will undoubtedly (IMO) eventually break from heat exposure. If you use it a lot, I put the over under on 3 years. This is very common in the clone stations. The plastic used in the real Hakko is something that the cheap cloners don't really care to spend on. The real hakko also has a overmold closed cell sovent-resistant foam grip that is super durable and reduces heat escape/transfer and which doesn't wear out and doesn't get slick from sweat or get sticky when you get flux on it.

The construction and internal soldering and grounding of the case were completely fine on my X-trronic unit. I wouldn't worry about it burning my house down anymore than I take care to unplug or switch off from the outlet any heat gun when I'm not using it.

I would note that the heater in the hot air station died after very little use. It lasted maybe a year or two, but I barely used it. It came with a replacement, which i installed. Also, this thing had the worst unboxing smell I've ever experienced from a made-in-China device. The moment I opened the bag, the smell of cancer was overpowering. It was the kind of smell you leave on the front porch for a couple days before you bring it in the house.

I have an 858D that cost $30.00, and I have used it 30x as much as the (retired) Xtronic, and it is still working fine with no maintenance. I've never used a Quick, and I'm sure they're great. 1000W is probably a lot more power than most of these cheap units. But the 858D does everything I need, ATM. For soldering iron I am very particular, and I use a genuine Hakko. But for something you are going to put away when you're not using it, I can imagine a combined unit might be handy.

With any tool/equipment you use frequently, it is hard to go backwards. But for a first station, you could do a lot worse than the X-tronic stuff. Overpriced, maybe. But if you already bought it, use it 'til it breaks. Or until you get a job/situation where you need to use it daily and you want something that will make things easier, for ergonomics or power or reliability, or whatnot. But any hot air station should be switched off when not in use. If the handle gets knocked off the cradle (or the sensor goes out of whack), then you will have a problem.
 
« Last Edit: October 31, 2018, 08:09:36 pm by KL27x »
 

Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #37 on: October 31, 2018, 08:23:26 pm »
Guys, please try not to get too upset with my brother (I know he can be terse, even dense at times) but he is a good kid, and he is working hard trying to learn.
I really didn't want this to devolve into an argument, so let's focus in on the point here:

Point A: We all realize that the X-Tronic is a Chinese unit, that is not on par with a name brand piece (such as the Hakko or Weller that I hear everyone mention).

Point B: This is a unit that he is going to practice and learn with, and put away when not in use. It is not something that is going to sit on a desk all day. Which is why he wanted a space-saving combo unit.
 
Point C: The main question that (admittedly) I had, and my brother didn't really care about at the start, was whether this unit was SAFE to use -- not whether it was as good as a Hakko or Weller that costs four times as much money. Obviously it can't hold a candle to those.

So assuming that my brother doesn't do anything exceedingly foolish such as leaving it plugged-in and unattended (like the video on the first page), and takes all of the usual precautions that one would take when soldering (whatever those may be), would this unit burn up in his face?
In other words: Is it a physical hazard, above and beyond a typical soldering / hot air unit?

Can there be at least somewhat of a consensus on this?
And if the answer is YES the X-Tronic is a hazard: then can someone recommend good quality (read: SAFE), equivalent stations for around the same price (in USD)?

Regards,
-- James
« Last Edit: October 31, 2018, 08:27:27 pm by JJST »
 

Offline KL27x

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #38 on: October 31, 2018, 10:18:04 pm »
I think if he can unplug it and stick a multimeter between the metal housing/air-nozzle and the ground pin on the power plug and verify continuity, then he's fine. Better yet, open it and make sure those connections are not going to fall apart, easily. Then just use common sense.

There is a shock hazard, if the insulator between the coil and the housing/nozzle is burned through. The ground connection is there to trip the breaker, in case this should ever happen. Beyond that, hot air stations have a heater that can get hot enough to melt and ignite stuff when something goes wrong, period.
 

Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #39 on: November 01, 2018, 05:55:41 am »
I think if he can unplug it and stick a multimeter between the metal housing/air-nozzle and the ground pin on the power plug and verify continuity, then he's fine. Better yet, open it and make sure those connections are not going to fall apart, easily. Then just use common sense.

There is a shock hazard, if the insulator between the coil and the housing/nozzle is burned through. The ground connection is there to trip the breaker, in case this should ever happen. Beyond that, hot air stations have a heater that can get hot enough to melt and ignite stuff when something goes wrong, period.

Okay, thank you.
I honestly don't know what your instructions mean, so I will pass it onto him if he hasn't seen your post already, and let him deal with it.

Regards,
-- James
 

Offline SpinDoctor

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #40 on: November 01, 2018, 04:44:43 pm »
Kl27x, i checked the ground between the hot air gun and the ground pin from the back of the station and they are connected

not sure what you mean by metal housing? if you are talking the outside of the case there is no continuity there between yhe case and the ground from my test. did you mean open it up and check the metal frame...... I havent done that yet
 

Offline james_s

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #41 on: November 02, 2018, 06:29:04 am »
*Any* exposed metal part on the unit should have continuity with the ground pin on the power cord. If it doesn't then that is a potential safety issue that should be corrected.
 

Offline SpinDoctor

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #42 on: November 02, 2018, 08:05:07 pm »
can you or someone post a short video of what a properly grounded unit looks like....... I think i might be doing it wrong or not understanding
 

Offline KL27x

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #43 on: November 02, 2018, 09:23:44 pm »
If the case is sheet metal (steel), it's usually painted. But it should still be grounded. The acceptable way to ground a metal case is with a small machine screw and a nut and a locking washer. The ground wire will have a ring terminal on it, and it will be locked down to the case with the screw and nut. Or sometimes it will be locked to the top corner of the transformer with the nut and lock washer, and the transformer will be screwed down to the chassis/housing.

In some cases, the paint wasn't removed, adequately, from the grounding spot, so the ground doesn't get connected to the housing. If you were concerned with with safety of a cheap product, this is one thing to check for and remedy. But even this wouldn't keep me up at night. Paint is a modern miracle and is really tough stuff. I'm not sure the dielectric rating, but I bet most paint is good for 110VAC. It would take a freak chain of events for a painted case to shock you. If the insulatino were inadequate, you'd think the current would rather go through that bit o paint at the grounding terminal rather than through paint + human, due to kichoffs and ohms laws. But technically, paint is not regarded as an adequate insulator. (For instance, wood working routers which have an aluminum outer housing for the ridigity to lock to jigs, they have to have a sheet of high temp plastic insulator covering the inside of the housing to be considered double insulated.. A bit of a different animal being unpainted on the outside and ungrounded at all and the fact you're supposed to hold it when in use.... that's a much shorter chain of things going wrong).

Most important safety info regarding electrocution: If the thing stops working, unplug and put your shoes on before you start poking around on metal bits.
« Last Edit: November 02, 2018, 10:05:35 pm by KL27x »
 

Offline SpinDoctor

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #44 on: November 03, 2018, 07:42:00 pm »
thanks.
What i did so you know, is i stuck one probe on the ground pin on the back of the case (in my pictures earlier) and the other probe on the hot air nozzle. That produced continuity

If i leave the obe probe on the ground and put the other probe on the case, i get nothing.
I do think it's painted as you say but i had no idea paint was so good.

I just bought some practice soldering kits so i guess ill find out soon enough if this is a good thing or not
 

Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #45 on: November 08, 2018, 03:36:24 am »
Hey guys,
Just a quick thought that I had.
My brothers practice boards arrived today and he's going to start using it tomorrow to practice his soldering.

As an extra safety measure, would it help to place a surge protector between the X-Tronic and the wall outlet? Or would that just be a waste (or maybe even harmful)?
I have no clue, just an idea I had.

Sorry if it's a really foolish question.

Regards,
-- James
 

Offline wraper

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #46 on: November 08, 2018, 09:31:38 am »
As an extra safety measure, would it help to place a surge protector between the X-Tronic and the wall outlet? Or would that just be a waste (or maybe even harmful)?
Complete waste. You could place GFCI for a whole workbench if you don't have one in electric box.
 

Offline cdev

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #47 on: November 08, 2018, 02:25:11 pm »
This applies to all soldering appliances.: Are parts wired correctly? Are the tip and case grounded and safe? What will happen if its accidentally left on and forgotten? Does it present a fire or shock risk? Those are the basic, most important things.

Chances are any reputable manufacturer has a good safety record but there is a real problem with some products being knockoffs or even brazenly counterfeited. The knockoff and counterfeit versions are a mixed bag with way too many of them being dangerous.

"What the large print giveth, the small print taketh away."
 

Offline JJSTTopic starter

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #48 on: November 08, 2018, 07:30:28 pm »
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your responses and help (and my brother does too).


{snip}
Chances are any reputable manufacturer has a good safety record but there is a real problem with some products being knockoffs or even brazenly counterfeited. The knockoff and counterfeit versions are a mixed bag with way too many of them being dangerous.

Indeed. I suppose that was my overarching point of this entire thread, was that neither I or my brother (who is using the X-Tronic as I type this) know whether X-Tronic is a reputable company or not... there really is very little information about them.

As I have repeatedly stated, I have no experience at all with electronics, or electric safety -- and my brother is just beginning to learn all of this -- so his knowledge is firmly embedded at the beginners level.
The only "reputable brands" that we know of are Hakko, Weller and JBC -- all three of whom are cost prohibitive to beginner students like my brother or myself.

The Quick brand model which was recommended previously in this thread, received rather poor reviews on this very site, so if anyone truly knows of a safer unit than the X-Tronic, that doesn't require selling a kidney to acquire, I am definitely open to it... and would most likely help my brother buy it, just because I care about his safety as he learns (and the rest of us as well) :D

Regards,
-- James
 

Offline wraper

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Re: X-Tronic XTS-8080 -- Is it safe?
« Reply #49 on: November 08, 2018, 08:28:27 pm »
The Quick brand model which was recommended previously in this thread, received rather poor reviews on this very site, so if anyone truly knows of a safer unit than the X-Tronic, that doesn't require selling a kidney to acquire, I am definitely open to it... and would most likely help my brother buy it, just because I care about his safety as he learns (and the rest of us as well) :D
I guess you read the thread with one poorly packaged thus having kinks on it's hose. Overall reviews of it are good.
 


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