RCCrawler Forums

joelKID984 · 11-30-2011, 06:25 AM

Heyy guys,

I'm new to this hobby and am in the process setting up my RC work station, to complete it, i figure a soldering iron, I use them quite often. So, what is a good, mid-priced soldering iron/station. I was looking at the hakko 936-rcb, with the flames, but i really dont have a clue what to look for in a soldering iron and i dont really want to spedn that much coin.

Thanks,
Joel

Joe&Jeep · 11-30-2011, 07:00 AM

that hakko looks to be a good unit, I have never used one so can't say much about it. I use a three different ones by Weller; I have the pencil style, gun trigger style but my favorite is the butane powered pencil style for I can take that with me when not near any electric plugs.

ittybitty · 11-30-2011, 07:11 AM

This newer model Hakko is on my list of tools to pick up so I can stop burning through butane here at the house. Here it is on RPP, but you can find it elsewhere for around $81 plus shipping.

Hakko FX-888 SOLDERING STATION 70W

DiggyStyle · 11-30-2011, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ittybitty

This newer model Hakko is on my list of tools to pick up so I can stop burning through butane here at the house. Here it is on RPP, but you can find it elsewhere for around $81 plus shipping.

Hakko FX-888 SOLDERING STATION 70W

The Hakko's seem pretty nice, but my question is: How hard is it to find parts, specifically replacement soldering tips? I mean, I even have a hard time finding tips for my Weller, and they sell those irons everywhere.

nstn8 · 11-30-2011, 07:49 AM

There are several places to get the hakko tips online, including eBay. Although mine shows no signs of wearing out after about 150 connectors or so. The good quality stuff really lasts and Hakko is used industrially... The iron will probably out last me.

btoungette · 11-30-2011, 08:05 AM

I second the recommendation for the Hakko FX-888 Soldering Station. I haven't used one yet, but from my research it seems the best bang for the buck. It is at the top of my Christmas list this year. Replacement tips seem to be readily available on the 'net for around six to nine dollars each plus shipping.

WestTxRc · 11-30-2011, 03:51 PM

Dude save the $$ and goto Harbor Freight and get the Soldering Iron Pencil WOrks Great. Been using it for a while and not one problem. cost me $3.50

johnnyh66 · 11-30-2011, 04:02 PM

I really wish I would've bought a better one, like the Hakko.
I decided to save a few bucks and get a cheaper Weller model.
Weller makes good stuff but I got a low end one... I hate the damn thing!

I thought soldering was just a pain in the butt until I used my friends Weller soldering station... it made life much more enjoyable.

SMR 510RR · 11-30-2011, 05:37 PM

Hakko-888 is what you need!

As far as parts I havent found any locally but tips should last a good while so buy the couple that you want and you should be good for a couple years.

It has made soldering less of a chore and more fun, its necessary if you need to solder on big stuff and it makes the small stuff easy.

Szczerba · 11-30-2011, 05:43 PM

Don't skimp on a soldering station, in my opinion. Especially if you plan on being in this hobby for a while. I used those cheap-o pencil ones for a while but finally got a Hakko 936-12 a few years back. One of my best R/C related purchases. Replacement parts are easy to find online.
That Hakko-888 looks good.

Just my .02!

Chi Town · 11-30-2011, 07:25 PM

I have a soldering station from Radio Shack and it works great. I ordered some tips online and have no issues. I would save your money on the cheap ones that don't heat up as well and will not last as long.

Just like most RC stuff, you get what you pay for.

KBrog · 11-30-2011, 07:28 PM

Tralpower TK-950

TowerHobbies.com | TKPR0950 TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

Its one of the best, and cant beat the new low price.

rcscaler · 11-30-2011, 07:33 PM

is it good for sodering the brass stuff??

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBrog

Tralpower TK-950

TowerHobbies.com | TKPR0950 TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

Its one of the best, and cant beat the new low price.

msd44 · 11-30-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBrog

Tralpower TK-950

TowerHobbies.com | TKPR0950 TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

Its one of the best, and cant beat the new low price.

I got one on order right not. I have never owned a real soldering station before, but I have burned threw many of the pencil weller ones. And if you look around, you can find a 10% off coupon as well.

Hoyta · 11-30-2011, 10:19 PM

A guy on a well-known forum is selling acyoue(sp?) 936 soldering stations for 50.00. From what I have read, those are great, Hakko-like machines. I have a 936, and will never use a pencil iron again.

R/CMaxximus5.0 · 12-01-2011, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBrog

Tralpower TK-950

TowerHobbies.com | TKPR0950 TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

Its one of the best, and cant beat the new low price.

x2! nice $20 cheaper!

ohh EPiC FAiL · 12-01-2011, 02:26 AM

i have the team checkpoint TC950, it's the same as the trakpower one. i love it!

rnpnick · 12-01-2011, 06:23 PM

Cheap Hakko Clone

spoo76 · 12-01-2011, 09:05 PM

I use this for $50 and love it, easy to see readout, multiple heat presets,quickly heats up and holds temp.
uses the same size tips as the hakkos
included tip is a bit small so I would recommend one of the bigger sizes

also comes with a free gift, I chose a rather nice multimeter. much nicer than my radio shack meter lol

Soldering Station

forbid89 · 12-02-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestTxRc

Dude save the $$ and goto Harbor Freight and get the Soldering Iron Pencil WOrks Great. Been using it for a while and not one problem. cost me $3.50

I guess they do things different in Texas.... But seriously don't take this advice, get a decent soldering iron/station. It's a good investment and can last many years. Like many other I have a Hakkio 936 but even this clone, Soldering Station Variable Temperature 50W - Analog (AT936B) - SparkFun Electronics is better than an iron from harbor freight.

11-30-2011, 06:25 AM	#1
joelKID984 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 270	what soldering iron to get? Heyy guys, I'm new to this hobby and am in the process setting up my RC work station, to complete it, i figure a soldering iron, I use them quite often. So, what is a good, mid-priced soldering iron/station. I was looking at the hakko 936-rcb, with the flames, but i really dont have a clue what to look for in a soldering iron and i dont really want to spedn that much coin. Thanks, Joel Last edited by joelKID984; 11-30-2011 at 06:28 AM.

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11-30-2011, 07:00 AM	#2
Joe&Jeep Pebble Pounder Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi. Posts: 121	that hakko looks to be a good unit, I have never used one so can't say much about it. I use a three different ones by Weller; I have the pencil style, gun trigger style but my favorite is the butane powered pencil style for I can take that with me when not near any electric plugs.

11-30-2011, 07:11 AM	#3
ittybitty I wanna be Dave Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sumter Posts: 6,141	This newer model Hakko is on my list of tools to pick up so I can stop burning through butane here at the house. Here it is on RPP, but you can find it elsewhere for around $81 plus shipping. Hakko FX-888 SOLDERING STATION 70W

11-30-2011, 07:49 AM	#5
nstn8 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Newton Posts: 272	There are several places to get the hakko tips online, including eBay. Although mine shows no signs of wearing out after about 150 connectors or so. The good quality stuff really lasts and Hakko is used industrially... The iron will probably out last me.

11-30-2011, 08:05 AM	#6
btoungette Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: [loh-key-shuhn] Posts: 865	I second the recommendation for the Hakko FX-888 Soldering Station. I haven't used one yet, but from my research it seems the best bang for the buck. It is at the top of my Christmas list this year. Replacement tips seem to be readily available on the 'net for around six to nine dollars each plus shipping.

11-30-2011, 03:51 PM	#7
WestTxRc Quarry Creeper Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: ??? Posts: 318	Dude save the $$ and goto Harbor Freight and get the Soldering Iron Pencil WOrks Great. Been using it for a while and not one problem. cost me $3.50

11-30-2011, 04:02 PM	#8
johnnyh66 Scale Detail Engineering Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 5,573	I really wish I would've bought a better one, like the Hakko. I decided to save a few bucks and get a cheaper Weller model. Weller makes good stuff but I got a low end one... I hate the damn thing! I thought soldering was just a pain in the butt until I used my friends Weller soldering station... it made life much more enjoyable.

11-30-2011, 05:37 PM	#9
SMR 510RR I wanna be Dave Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 2,236	Hakko-888 is what you need! As far as parts I havent found any locally but tips should last a good while so buy the couple that you want and you should be good for a couple years. It has made soldering less of a chore and more fun, its necessary if you need to solder on big stuff and it makes the small stuff easy.

11-30-2011, 05:43 PM	#10
Szczerba I wanna be Dave Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Castle Rock, WA Posts: 8,785	Don't skimp on a soldering station, in my opinion. Especially if you plan on being in this hobby for a while. I used those cheap-o pencil ones for a while but finally got a Hakko 936-12 a few years back. One of my best R/C related purchases. Replacement parts are easy to find online. That Hakko-888 looks good. Just my .02!

11-30-2011, 07:25 PM	#11
Chi Town Pebble Pounder Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CSRA Posts: 171	I have a soldering station from Radio Shack and it works great. I ordered some tips online and have no issues. I would save your money on the cheap ones that don't heat up as well and will not last as long. Just like most RC stuff, you get what you pay for.

11-30-2011, 07:28 PM	#12
KBrog RCC Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Earth? Posts: 1,698	Tralpower TK-950 TowerHobbies.com \| TKPR0950 TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station Its one of the best, and cant beat the new low price.

Sponsored Links

11-30-2011, 10:19 PM	#15
Hoyta Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Franklin, Va Posts: 456	A guy on a well-known forum is selling acyoue(sp?) 936 soldering stations for 50.00. From what I have read, those are great, Hakko-like machines. I have a 936, and will never use a pencil iron again.

12-01-2011, 02:26 AM	#17
ohh EPiC FAiL Quarry Creeper Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Deus est mortuus, logica obtinet. Posts: 451	i have the team checkpoint TC950, it's the same as the trakpower one. i love it!

12-01-2011, 06:23 PM	#18
rnpnick Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DeSoto Posts: 206	Cheap Hakko Clone

12-01-2011, 09:05 PM	#19
spoo76 I wanna be Dave Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South FL Posts: 3,349	I use this for $50 and love it, easy to see readout, multiple heat presets,quickly heats up and holds temp. uses the same size tips as the hakkos included tip is a bit small so I would recommend one of the bigger sizes also comes with a free gift, I chose a rather nice multimeter. much nicer than my radio shack meter lol Soldering Station

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