Possible discounts on soldering stations

[Parak]

Hey folks,

This doesn't exactly fit this forum, but I suppose this might be the closest one for it. Mods feel free to move or delete as needed.

So, there's this site called Massdrop and their niche is negotiating with various vendors to get better bulk pricing on all sorts of products if certain MOQs are met (with a cut for themselves, of course). They determine the products to ask discounts for via polls, where the top voted choices are the ones that they negotiate for, then offer up for individual sale at various price breaks, typically decently below what they usually retail for. Anyway, I've made a poll for what I consider 'proper' soldering stations over here:

https://www.massdrop.com/vote/low-to-midrange-professional-soldering-stations

I've elaborated at some length about the choices provided, having some experience in the matter, so if anything that information might be of benefit to someone here. Some relevant disclaimers:

• The site requires free membership to see the group buys as well as to vote. Not much I can do about that I'm afraid.
• I'm not affiliated with the site, but I've bought from them in the past.
• Once the poll gets enough votes, it may still be some time before anything happens buying-wise. They may even fail to negotiate any discount with the vendors listed given various distribution agreements said vendors may have in place.
• As an organizer of the poll I may be entitled to the winning product provided of course that both the poll, negotiation, and the group buys all succeed.
• To be honest though, I did not make the poll with that in mind as I already have stations from most of the brands listed. It's more of a PSA. For that matter, I don't even know if that promotion is still valid.
• Feel free to add your own choices! Someone already has that doesn't even fit the poll thematically
• As such I don't particularly care what wins the poll, though I know that JBC stations are popular here due to Dave reviewing and owning one. I just happen to like Pace just as much if not more

Let me know if you have any questions and stuff!

[bbjk7]

Thanks Parak,

Love this site, although it's often hard to find relevant products. Bought some highly discounted Rotoring mechanical pencils from here.

I've voted for the Hakko 951, though I'm pretty sure they should be able to get it a lot cheaper than $270?

Like I said in the discussion page of the drop:

"My IPC trainer has both, reckons they are more or less equal.. but you can get the Hakko at a cheaper price and he reckons it has slightly better temperature control. I know you can find Hakko tips everywhere.. but how readily available are the Pace tips?"

[TopLoser]

Parak, if you like Pace equipment I've got a HUGE amount of 1, 2 and 3 output stations plus irons, tweezers, desoldering tools. All of it new and boxed, 50% discount off retail price.

I've still got lots of Weller equipment as well. Might be time to post a big list again.

[Parak]

Like I said in the discussion page of the drop:

"My IPC trainer has both, reckons they are more or less equal.. but you can get the Hakko at a cheaper price and he reckons it has slightly better temperature control. I know you can find Hakko tips everywhere.. but how readily available are the Pace tips?"

Posted a reply on the discussion page - hope it helps!

Shame it's US voltage.

Pace does have 220v options for each station available. I'd think that Massdrop would be able to coordinate something for that at purchase time, but verification would be needed when that time comes of course.

Parak, if you like Pace equipment I've got a HUGE amount of 1, 2 and 3 output stations plus irons, tweezers, desoldering tools. All of it new and boxed, 50% discount off retail price.

I've still got lots of Weller equipment as well. Might be time to post a big list again.

Sure, if you can PM me the list of Pace stuff, I'll (or a friend of mine) probably have some things that would want even though I have an MBT-301 already Maybe hot air...

[bbjk7]

Parak, if you like Pace equipment I've got a HUGE amount of 1, 2 and 3 output stations plus irons, tweezers, desoldering tools. All of it new and boxed, 50% discount off retail price.

I've still got lots of Weller equipment as well. Might be time to post a big list again.

Me too please!

Thanks Parak.. bit of a disappointment that everyone on the drop page is voting for the weller :/

[nanofrog]

I assume you mean 220/230/240V mains for those not on 120V, so why not add in an option for an Ersa iCon Nano?

[motocoder]

Parak, if you like Pace equipment I've got a HUGE amount of 1, 2 and 3 output stations plus irons, tweezers, desoldering tools. All of it new and boxed, 50% discount off retail price.

I've still got lots of Weller equipment as well. Might be time to post a big list again.

Me too, please.

[Parak]

I assume you mean 220/230/240V mains for those not on 120V, so why not add in an option for an Ersa iCon Nano?

I actually like Ersa, but I have major concerns with tip availability and choices if one doesn't reside in the EU, as well as 110v support. I found an excellent performance comparison pdf from Ersa some months ago that was quite thorough with their methodology - unfortunately I can't find it now for the life of me. It's definitely on the list of stations for me to try out, but I couldn't write about it on the poll without really doing it the needed justice.

[nanofrog]

I assume you mean 220/230/240V mains for those not on 120V, so why not add in an option for an Ersa iCon Nano?

I actually like Ersa, but I have major concerns with tip availability and choices if one doesn't reside in the EU, as well as 110v support. I found an excellent performance comparison pdf from Ersa some months ago that was quite thorough with their methodology - unfortunately I can't find it now for the life of me. It's definitely on the list of stations for me to try out, but I couldn't write about it on the poll without really doing it the needed justice.

For the US, I would agree on tip availability. Seems an excellent candidate for EU members IMHO though.

FWIW, Ersa has their own office in Wisconsin (website), and it's the only source for their stuff in the US. Not a single independent distributor thus far, and I'm not sure this will change (seem to be more interested in the production equipment side). It's possible to get it from overseas sources of course, but it's not convenient, and likely not very attractive cost wise.

As for how Massdrop works, would the existing account be feasible for both 120V and 230V versions of a station where offered by the manufacturer (i.e. cover multiple P/N's)?
Or would those needing 230V input voltage need to try and do something like this themselves as a separate event?

Just curious, as members in Europe could really benefit from something like this IMHO.

[Parak]

Aha, found the PDF - makes for pretty interesting reading:

http://www.marctechnologies.com/iCON%20Short.pdf

So I do believe that Massdrop would be able to supply either voltage choice depending on what is needed by a particular buyer, as they often do per buyer customizations for other products like color choices and similar. They ship internationally, too.

With Ersa I'll try to add it as a poll choice, or anyone could for that matter, though it is a question of ability to get them in 110v and what they would cost as it doesn't seem like a standard option.