I got a PM asking for an update on this, so here goes...
I've been using this soldering station for over a year now, and so far it has not burned down the building. Many, MANY other projects have taken priority, so I haven't done any SMD designs or rework yet, but I've used the station for occasional through hole projects, "precision shrink tubing" hehe, and various light duty use. Generally speaking, it has performed the tasks that I needed it to do.
My main complaints are:
- The iron tips it comes with are crap, not surprising for the price
- I'm not convinced the tip makes good enough contact with the heating element. Sometimes it solders as I expect, other times jamming solder on the tip results in bent solder with no melting... It could be a variety of causes, but generally it is nowhere near as reliable as the Weller I used back in the day. BUT with some patience and irritation it still gets the job done.
- I have to regularly re-tighten the nut that holds the tip assembly together, nearly every time I turn the thing on it is loose.
- The soldering iron handle rattles a little bit. I've taken it apart and the rattle does not seem to indicate a fire hazard, so I just put up with it.
Note: I have not tested the unit to verify temperature readout or regulation. With the above mentioned issues and my light use, it didn't seem worth the time. I have no complaints about the hot air, but I've only needed it for shrink tubing, reforming plastic, and emergency hair drying... Kidding! NEVER use a hot air gun on your hair.
Bottom line, I got my money's worth out of it and I don't regret the purchase. In retrospect, I wish I went with an iron with more wattage. IIRC this one is only 40 watt for the iron itself. I will eventually replace this unit with a better and more reliable one, but it has held up "good-'nuff" so far. For an ultra-cheapie, it has served well as a temporary duct tape solution, but I would go with something better if I needed a rework station more than occasionally.