Morning Martin
Hope you are well, long time no parlez so to speak!
I have owned Weller's for close to 30 years even in a non professional capacity and always found them to be very consistently good.
Three years ago my work horse decided to go the way fo the dodo, so while looking for a suitable replacement one of the chaps that work with us suggested I try his JBC stand-alone station for a day, to say I was impressed would be an understatement.
Among the other brands I tried were Hakko, Ersa & Metcal all had their plus points.
For myself performance, reliability, ease of use, tip types, styles and availability are all at the top of my desirability list.
After a month or so of serious benchmarking I settled on the JBC, not because the others were not up scratch because they were, I just preferred the 'feel' and in use of the JBC, the display and having hands like dinner plates I found the JBC had the ergonomic touch.
Since then, I have further explored the JBC 'back catalogue' so to speak along with some custom designed tips for some projects I'm working on. Just love the sheer amount of tip selection as well.
At this point in time personally I have six stations (two stand-alone stations) air desolders, one large, one small large and small smt tweezers, micro soldering station, hot air with FPGA etc removal facility. Plus, one of the larger under board info red heater platers and multiple circuit board size holders plus a really neat solder pot. One tip is something like 0.25mm.
I do use these devices every day and wouldn't be out them, they just make day to day life so much easier, and produce neater more reliable joints.
Cost is fair with some of the models and more expensive with others, if you pick the right station and tips you can get started well for around 330 euros I feel. Certain JBC equipment is over priced no question. However the CDS or CDB are superb units in the own right, tips range from 10 euros (popular units are between 18-34) to what ever you are willing to pay for a custom design.
Tip changing, cleaning and heat up time are all first class, in the last three years I have only replaced two of the most common tips I use C245-903, C245-001 and these were 18 euros each or so. Many, many hours on each one of those without question.
One of my best purchases in EE
Apologies for the state of the work beneches I am pretty busy at the moment.