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Getting Started with Equipment

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chiguy:
Hi, recently discovered the blog and videos and new to the forums here  :)

I'm looking into getting some 'real' equipment after using cheap, low quality irons for the past few years.  I'm just wondering what to get.  So far I've looked at the following:

Hakko FX-951  (I know about the Hakko FX-888 but I like the digital display)
Hakko FM-203 (or should I get 2 single iron stations?)
Weller WX2002

I was also thinking about hot air stations and looked at the following:

Hakko FM-206 (I like the combination of things but is it better to get separate pieces of equipment?)
Hakko FR-802

I've also looked at the much cheaper clones and equipment from China (Aoyue being one of them).  However I'm not sure if these are worth it or if I'm just tossing money away when these break down the road and I'm forced to buy replacements.

Any thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.  Thanks!

gxti:
When I was looking for my first "good" iron I, too, thought that maybe I should get one with a digital display. Trust me when I say that you won't need it. I'd recommend just getting the FX-888 and maybe later get a cheap hot-air station if, and when, you need it.

T4P:
The cheapos 858D/898bd/8786 and other variations are easy to repair , unless you are SO ARSED up that you don't want to repair something .

kodai:
Yeah, the digital display is only useful to those that work with temp sensitive components, and in that case you are still going to want a soldering iron tester to make regular checks and calibrate things accordingly.  A well made station will have a printed scale that the knob/dial will not be to far out of.  If you're in N. America or Japan, the FX-888 is about the best deal you can find in the name brand, bang for your buck market. 

The 936 (and the clones) use the 900 series tips that can be bough cheap and in bulk.  For awhile the cheap tips were junk that didn't last long or heat up well.  Now the cheap tips are pretty good.  The clones use the same heating elements as the official Hakko's.  Their biggest drawback (older models that is) is the base unit is often poorly made and kills the heating elements pretty quick.  The current slew of clone 936's are much more reliable.  Sparkfun offers a very decent little 936 clone for $40.00 (when they are in stock), and it seems to be very well made. 

On the whole, I would say either plop down the cash and get a high end setup like a Metcal, JBC, or Pace.  Otherwise save the money and get a very good consumer variant such as an official Hakko.  The digital display is next to useless for the average consumer/hobbiest.  Keep it simple and you will have fewer problems to deal with.  If you go with a clone, just make sure its a clone with a good history.  If you cant find out that history, then ignore that clone.  So about $40.00 for used Hakko 936 or clones, or $80.00 for a new FX-888. 

Randall W. Lott:
I use an Aoyue 937+.  It's around $50 and it works very well.

It has a segment display that shows the current temperature.  It also has an up and down button to set your desired temperature.

I had great results even with the supplied conical tip, although I suggest that you get a T18-D24 or T18-D16 tip as a replacement like I did.  It would be beneficial to get a brass tip cleaner as well.  The sponge doesn't last and the flux-infused brass is far superior.  I use a Hakko 599B tip cleaner.  It works very, very well.

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