Is Hakko the only option?

[AG74683]

I guess its finally time I learn to solder...

Anyways, been searching all day on this, and it looks like the Hakko kit is the defacto?

Are there any other options out there that dont kill the wallet? Im a total newb at soldering, and am not quite sure I need a 100 dollar iron quite yet, but I also dont want to get radioshack garbage either...

[losikid]

You need top get a decent soldering station

Here you go, its just a re badged hakko 936, a bit less quality but is light years better than anything that isn't a station.

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9672

I believe it uses the same tips as the hakko 907 iron.

[losikid]

You will probably need this tip

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T18-D32-900M...#ht_3488wt_848

[spoo76]

I use the circuit specialists for $60 but upgraded to a larger tip size ( 1.6 but plan a bigger tip for other jobs) and it works great! heats up very fast and retains it well. for the $$ Im very happy with it.
a nice extra though not a must have is the digital display and the preset temps.
However now that the hakkos are about $80 it would be hard to pass one up.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/so...watt-3dlf.html

BTW if you do go this route its said they use the same size tips as the hakkos

[AG74683]

Thanks for the advice!

Also, apologies, I meant to post this in the tools section!

[Trubble]

The one Losikid posted looks extremely similar to the soldering station I have. (which bears a striking resemblance to this) I like mine quite a bit. I had so-so skills while wielding an old Weller gun, this made doing a decent job SO much easier.

[SMR 510RR]

Get a nice setup, it is soooooooo worth it. Now it isnt frustrating to solder something up really quick, my cheap 60w iron wasnt cutting it on anything larger than 14g wire.

I upgraded to the new Hakko and I will say that it is easily worth the money...Think of it as an investment, if you treat it right it will last for a very long time.

[losikid]

Originally Posted by Trubble

The one Losikid posted looks extremely similar to the soldering station I have. (which bears a striking resemblance to this) I like mine quite a bit. I had so-so skills while wielding an old Weller gun, this made doing a decent job SO much easier.

Yep they're all rebadged hakko's

I think Hakko is the actual designer, but they may be taking the design from someone else. However genuine hakko stuff is top quality so i'd assume they are the main brand.

the new hakko is pretty killer as well, i'm using the 936 though which has served me well. I have hours upon hours of it on medium temp, probably have 10+ hours of it cranked all the way up (soldered 3 wires to a deans plug (6 total))

and its been left on over night afew times at medium temp. and my tip is still holding strong. radio shack fire starts tips usually only have maybe 20 hrs tops on and their not very hot, well can't keep the heat going.

as SMR said, think of it as an investment. A good iron will make great joints easier and can handle our big wire easily. Good joints will give you better overall performance and make your electronics setup more efficient. because there's less resistance. and for normal hobby soldering it'll last you forever.

[losikid]

If you want a really nice station...

http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?C...ID=4482&Page=1

[AG74683]

Originally Posted by losikid

If you want a really nice station...

http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?C...ID=4482&Page=1

Wow, most cheesy video for a soldering iron I believe Ive ever seen

[EeePee]

The Weller WLC-100 will do everything you need for RC perfectly, also.

Just another option.

I've used mine for seriously, like 15 years. I bought it to build home stereo kits, and then later for this RC stuff. Never needed anything more.

[losikid]

Originally Posted by AG74683

Wow, most cheesy video for a soldering iron I believe Ive ever seen

you ought to check out their others

Here's what i want sitting on my bench
http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?C...ID=4936&Page=1

[RPP Hobby]

The Hakko is a great Tool, Once you bite the bullet and buy one, you will say why did I not buy this years ago. They make the job so much easier. I used to hate soldering until I got one! It's worth the $$

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by Rpp Hobby

The Hakko is a great Tool, Once you bite the bullet and buy one, you will say why did I not buy this years ago. They make the job so much easier. I used to hate soldering until I got one! It's worth the $$

x2 Worth every penny.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Rpp Hobby

The Hakko is a great Tool, Once you bite the bullet and buy one, you will say why did I not buy this years ago. They make the job so much easier. I used to hate soldering until I got one! It's worth the $$

It was a tough bullet to swallow 12 years ago but still have the same station. Prices have come down since then but so worth the money.

The only thing Ive had to do is replace one tip just last year, still works perfectly.

[SMR 510RR]

Its also nice how many different tips they offer. Currently I have 3 that each have their own purpose, a large chisel for general rc like battery connectors and bullets and such, a smaller chisel for any tighter rc work, and a small point for getting into really tight spaces like soldering on boards and stuff.

Also the stand that holds the iron is great, got your sponge and brillo pad right there to clean you tip. Also it heats up super fast and holds its temperature even if you are soldering on some big stuff, that is what makes all the difference.

This is the one I have:
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...dering-Station

[spoo76]

BTW one thing i can say is ditch the sponge and water and get yourself a brass tip cleaner, it looks like a brass brillo pad. it cleans off the tip good as new every time, i like it way better than water & a sponge.

[BurnLatex]

By all mean get a good station. Its worth every penny.

I bit the bullet earlier this year and went with the Hakko 888. I love it. It really made soldering so much easier with some high wattage.

[AG74683]

if I were to get the FX-888, what tips should I be looking at?

Also, it looks like the preferred solder for RC stuff is 63/37 Rosin Core. Is there any place to get this that isnt in a pound size?

[roksloski]

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/browse...ons/0000001214


here is a whole page of them............