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Automatic Tip Cleaners (less expensive options)

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digger:



i'm interested in an auto tip cleaner but don't want to spend jbc money. i don't really want to spend even a couple hundred.

https://hakkousa.com/ft-720-tip-cleaner.html

at ~125usd shipped, this one's kinda tempting. anyone have it?

thing is, is it actually a step up from the yihua crappers et al. on ali?
https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-automatic-soldering-iron-tip-cleaner.html

the 200C's reviewed here by SDG:





the hakko build quality looks a little better, but i'd like you all's thoughts on it.

also, is there anything else i should be looking at?

thm_w:
Construction ooks to be essentially the same as the yihua.

Arts:
I have a YIHUA 200C on order from amazon that should be here by Saturday. The 50 buck (US) Yihua appears to be a cheapy version of the Hakko FT-720, but now includes 6 "improved" brass brushes that appear to be much fuller and thicker than what was originally included. I'll post the results when it gets here.

As I am nearing retirement and closing up shop, I will be going from "professional" to "hobbyist" usage; therefore I had no intention whatsoever of paying JBC or Metcal prices for a top-of-the-line unit. First time I have ever cheaped-out on tooling... I'll just hide it behind all of the expensive JBC, Hakko, Pace and Metcal gear.

I did watch all of the available Hakko videos, and concluded that the Hakko FT-700 would be a marginally better performing unit than the FT-720, with higher quality brass brushes but no automatic activation. Inconvenient and higher priced too.

digger:

--- Quote from: Arts on July 25, 2024, 09:07:15 pm ---I did watch all of the available Hakko videos, and concluded that the Hakko FT-700 would be a marginally better performing unit than the FT-720, with higher quality brass brushes but no automatic activation. Inconvenient and higher priced too.

--- End quote ---

my possibly incorrect impression is that the 720's a newer product and is intended for routine cleaning, whereas the 700's focused on rejuvenation of abused/oxidized tips.

Arts:
I did see a brochure for their tip cleaners, and you are correct, the FT-700 is tagged for oxide removal. The others, more for light cleaning and excess solder removal.
The other models all seem to come with very sparse resin/synthetic-based brushes, but do offer (equally sparse) metal brushes as replacements.

My feeling was that for the limited effectiveness of the lighter models (just my opinion, based on videos), I would get similar results with the usual brass wool and sponge method. The reason that I went with the YIHUA 200C was because the metal brushes were more in line with those in the FT-700, and "might" be able to deal with my occasional oxidation issues. I guess we'll find out soon; the shipping says "out for delivery", haha.

If you only deal with leaded solder and work at reasonable temperatures, the oxidation issue really shouldn't be a problem.

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