ebay - ridiculously cheap solder pots

[Macbeth]

Anyone got one of these devices? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161639284003 or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131585070439

I'm in the UK and so 220VAC/150W just means my pot will probably get hot a little quicker  (~240VAC/~160W) rather than emit the magic smoke.

I notice the more colourful one claims to have a titanium pot - is it worth the extra 50p?

Also - any good as a super cheap small board pre-heater, for example to replace Raspberry Pi's U16 chip like Wraper does so expertly in his video on TopLosers thread? (with a much better device I have to add!)

Sorry. It's like the poundland. I can't resist buying cheap chinese tat sometimes 

[PlainName]

Yeah, I got one of the coloured ones. IIRC, it does what it says it does but I haven't used it in anger since - it is currently shelfware.

Edit: it is not what you want to warm PCBs. The thingy Wraper has isn't very expensive and is basically just a warm air blower. [Checks] Well, it wasn't when I bought one but they seem a bit pricey now!

eBay auction: #390832778579

[Macbeth]

Thank you. I threw caution to the wind and got the colourful titanium one for 54p extra, despite him selling only 3 of 'em vs the other sellers hot cakes 46. I really hope I haven't been ripped off. I now hold you personally accountable for coercing me to get the yellow one, despite the obvious risk of it burning down my house setting off the gas mains underneath and leading to the worst terrorist explosion incident in Liverpool ever 

[Deathwish]

you need to get one of these next

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2055119.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xlead+soldier+mold.TRS0&_nkw=lead+soldier+mold&_sacat=0

[PlainName]

I might've saved your life - the paint on it will protect you from getting a full electric shock when you plug it in.

[aargee]

I've got one of the Blue 'Kai-LiTe' ones. Wiring was a bit dodgy. Re-did the earthing. Thermal control is all over the place as far as controlling temperatures.

Costs more to fill the pot with solder than the device did. 

It is great for swiftly removing multi-way connectors and large thermal mass stuff like transformers, etc.

[wraper]

Yeah, I got one of the coloured ones. IIRC, it does what it says it does but I haven't used it in anger since - it is currently shelfware.

Edit: it is not what you want to warm PCBs. The thingy Wraper has isn't very expensive and is basically just a warm air blower. [Checks] Well, it wasn't when I bought one but they seem a bit pricey now!

eBay auction: #390832778579

Yes I'm using Aoyue preheater because I already have it (bought 5+ years ago) and it works. But it's crap, especially for the money it cost. I replaced the fan inside it, because it was too noisy and vibrating like hell together with all preheater which made the boards to move by themselves  . The way how air path is made is very different from Hakko and Quick units I have taken apart. It is made so stupidly that sevrely prevents air to be pushed through. With a new fan it is actually OK, bit still noisier than should be because of the need to use high RPM fan to be able push enough air through it. Decent units are very quiet on the other hand.

[kripton2035]

I bought this station a year ago and I'm very pleased with it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YIHUA-853AA-2in1-function-preheating-rework-station-Stazione-Saldante-IR-/221516785406?hash=item33936de6fe

it would be nice if this thing had a built-in timer but I can live without.

[SL4P]

Solder Pots are great for tinning the ends of stripped wires.
dip in flux, then in pot - done.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I have a similar one -only use occasionally but works OK

on mine the knob is  power control not temperature - turn to max til warmed up then turn down to 2-3

[orion242]

>turn to max til warmed up then turn down to 2-3

And don't forget to turn it down from max.  It will discolor/burn the $hit out of rubber esd mats if left too long @ this setting.  Max seems just short of destruction on my model.  Great for the initial warm up, not so much should you forget about it...

At least on this clone, which looks more or less identical.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291538859692?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I cracked it open and the quality didn't look awful for the price.  Earth was connected to the enclosure (no lock washer), high temp wire to the pot at least.  No temp control, just power to the heating element.