Soldering Iron

[tapeworm]

I was looking at getting a station. I didn't want to spend too much, I was looking at something around $100, any suggestions?  Pro's and cons? Any experience you have with some of the recommendations? Thanks in advance! 

[toli]

I'm a big fan of Hakko. I'm not sure what the prices where you live are, but you can get the 936 for sure. It has been replaced by the FX-888.
If you can get your hands on a 937 for the price its a great unit.

I've tried the 936 and actually liked it very much. I was going to buy the 937 myself, but for a little bit more I was able to get the FX-951 which is going to last me until I die probably, and I'm also going for something a better if I can afford it, I'm a fool for working tools

BTW, there are also various Hakko clones (I guess its one of the reasons they've replaced the 936 even thought it was a great seller). There's Aoyue for example which is even sold on Amazon and eBay so they are quite easy to get a hold of. Replacement parts are interchangeable with the Hakko from what I hear. I haven't tried any of these myself so I can't comment about these. If it was me I would just go for the Hakko as I trust them better.

[saturation]

There's an existing thread here with that info, check there.  It depends on how much you solder and if you do SMT.  Units go from $5-1000, your pick.
 

[Excavatoree]

I don't know where you are, but if you are in a country that can order from Marlin Jones (MPJA.com) (May be my or Dave's distant uncle)  Their temperature controlled irons (ZD-929C for 7-segment readout, can't find the bargraph model on their website) are a good value.  They are a bit more expensive than the cheao-o models, but they hold up well.  (oops, they are out of stock at the moment.) MCM sells the same one (digital readout  or bargraph) with their "Tenma" brand on it for a few dollars more.  I have one of these at work.

MPJA.com has el-chepo hot air stations also.

MCM has a range of soldering equipment.

I personally use some govt. surplus stations - a temp controlled Weller, and an old Ungar station that I have a few spares for.  

As previous posters say, it depends on your preference as well as how much you use one.  I could never justify an expensive unit, although I'd love to have one.

[saturation]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=647.msg11352#new

[tapeworm]

Thanks guys!

[tapeworm]

I was looking at some today at the local electronics store warehouse....and came across a Weller ECM2002M, was this unit replaced with the WESD51? I know the wesd51 has both F/C readings and also a temp lock out feature, but they are basically the same unit not?

[EEVblog]

Hakko 936 is pretty much an industry standard iron. Under $100.

Dave.

[kek]

...

[Time]

those irons look like they are going 1000 miles per hour!

[slburris]

So now I've seen Agilent meters and soldering stations with stick
on decals!  Is this a new trend?  Are the newest oscilloscopes going
to come with flames too?

I'm not sure I like the trend -- the Agilent meters in particular look
horrible.  Maybe some newly minted marketing person got hired at
Agilent.

Scott

[saturation]

Yes, interesting.  Given these, its very suggestive that the hobby market is a significant part of their sales.

So now I've seen Agilent meters and soldering stations with stick
on decals!  Is this a new trend?  Are the newest oscilloscopes going
to come with flames too?

I'm not sure I like the trend -- the Agilent meters in particular look
horrible.  Maybe some newly minted marketing person got hired at
Agilent.

Scott

.

[ModemHead]

Yes, interesting.  Given these, its very suggestive that the hobby market is a significant part of their sales.

I believe those "1000mph" irons are targeted for the electric RC car racing folks.  Having dabbled in that hobby myself once, I can say that some of those guys are pretty serious about their gear.

In any case, my Hakko 936 is basic black, sits still, and I'm quite pleased with it.

[Time]

just for the record, I was being facetious.

[squeezee]

If you live in the US/Canada the Aoyue ones are inexpensive and decent enough quality, most of the models are hakko ripoff style stations (compatible with hakko tips as well).

I bought the Aoyue 2900 a while back, which is some 937 styled base unit with an FX type integral heater/sensor/tip cartridge and i've had no major issues; Although the handle could be better insulated.

Here's some quick internal shots from my unit:


Nothing too surprising, everything is through-hole and the boards are covered with flux.

Their 937+ model should be similar just with a smaller transformer.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I believe those "1000mph" irons are targeted for the electric RC car racing folks.  Having dabbled in that hobby myself once, I can say that some of those guys are pretty serious about their gear.

..and easily impressed by dumb gimmicks like silly graphics....

[saturation]

Hakko recently discontinued the 936 line and the replacement is not backward compatible.

So if you're interested in it, now's a time to grab the overstock.

Dave's and other's recommendation for the Hakko is well supported.  After checking around, it indeed is a best bang for buck iron out there.  Very few to none negative comments about heat stability and tip longevity. Its been used in factory floors and is a testament to its durability and capability.

http://www.hakko.com/english/discontinue/index.html

A most extensive comparison of soldering irons by a true fan of the iron:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/416001/reviews-some-people-collect-amps-i-collect-soldering-stations/15#post_5561642

Hakko 936 is pretty much an industry standard iron. Under $100.

Dave.

I'm a big fan of Hakko. I'm not sure what the prices where you live are, but you can get the 936 for sure. It has been replaced by the FX-888.
If you can get your hands on a 937 for the price its a great unit.

I've tried the 936 and actually liked it very much. I was going to buy the 937 myself, but for a little bit more I was able to get the FX-951 which is going to last me until I die probably, and I'm also going for something a better if I can afford it, I'm a fool for working tools

BTW, there are also various Hakko clones (I guess its one of the reasons they've replaced the 936 even thought it was a great seller). There's Aoyue for example which is even sold on Amazon and eBay so they are quite easy to get a hold of. Replacement parts are interchangeable with the Hakko from what I hear. I haven't tried any of these myself so I can't comment about these. If it was me I would just go for the Hakko as I trust them better.

[squeezee]

Hakko recently discontinued the 936 line and the replacement is not backward compatible.

http://www.hakko.com/english/discontinue/index.html

Well for the rest of the world except north america that is, here the 936 is still the current model.