I need a new soldering station, what do you think?????

[stelerzman]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-IN-1-SMD-H...item4840402ce3


I just did a search on EBAY for a soldering station and this is looking promising to me. Does anyone know of this brand name and/or has used this station. It looks great because it has a heating element for shrink tubing and such. Please post up with you thoughts and suggestions. I'm looking to purchase really soon as my old ass weller is dying on me. I'm having to work on the weller more than I can solder.

Thank you, John.

[Airbus9e]

You can get a Hakko direct from them for about the same money......doesn't have the shrink tube thing, but I just run the tubing along the side of the element and it shrinks just fine....

or try this.....it's made for TrakPower by Hakko....and it's $10 less than the no name one...

TowerHobbies.com | TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

[JohnRobHolmes]

Aoyue is what that station is a knockoff of. I can't guess on the longevity of the Kendal, but my aoyue station runs 20 hours a week minimum and I absolutely love the hot air for heat shrink and preheat before soldering stubborn parts.

[JohnRobHolmes]

I should note the steel element will be super slow to heat. Get a ceramic, they would last you a decade and heat up in seconds. We go through an element every few years.

[stelerzman]

Thanks John, I'll keep your info in mind

[Richterat83]

i've been running this with no issues (and it takes Hakko tips)

and the pack of soldering tips for Hakko Station 900M 933

and for shrinking tube, i took a 25% off coupon to Harbor Frieght and picked up a heat gun

[Locked Up]

I run this one and love it:
60 Watt Soldering Station from Circuit Specialists
On sale for $49 right now too.

I'm probably average on the soldering time but I'm very happy with my station. Heats up fast and holds temp very well.


I did the same with the heat gun at HF. I use the balls out of the heat gun and after 3 years it still runs just fine.




While we are on the topic, there is some good info/links towards the end of this article about fume extraction, lead free setups, etc.
So for anyone that is a newb to soldering please give it a go:
http://store.curiousinventor.com/gui...ind_of_solder/

[robertjpjr]

Originally Posted by Richterat83

i've been running this with no issues (and it takes Hakko tips)

and the pack of soldering tips for Hakko Station 900M 933

and for shrinking tube, i took a 25% off coupon to Harbor Frieght and picked up a heat gun

I second this soldering station.
Been working for at least 2 years for me

[nappahdog]

I'm also using the hakko knockoff with no issues

[el_Fernando]

Whatever you do get one that has readily available tips. I had the HK cheapo one and I bought 3 diff types of Hakko ripoff tips that did not fit properly. My fault I know. Now I have a Hakko 888d and its easy as pie when I gotta gets new tips.

[smithgpz]

buy a hakko,you will not be sorry.

[stelerzman]

AOYUE 9378 Programmable Digital Soldering Station 60 Watt with 10 Tips | eBay

've made my decision. Here is the iron I bought. Can't wait to get soldering with a quality iron.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by Airbus9e

You can get a Hakko direct from them for about the same money......doesn't have the shrink tube thing, but I just run the tubing along the side of the element and it shrinks just fine....

or try this.....it's made for TrakPower by Hakko....and it's $10 less than the no name one...

TowerHobbies.com | TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station

Yes.

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

I should note the steel element will be super slow to heat. Get a ceramic, they would last you a decade and heat up in seconds. We go through an element every few years.

Yes, only buy ceramic element type irons or soldering stations. Way faster recovery and more efficient, last long time if you take care of it. The don't like to be dropped!

Originally Posted by Richterat83

i've been running this with no issues (and it takes Hakko tips)

and the pack of soldering tips for Hakko Station 900M 933

and for shrinking tube, i took a 25% off coupon to Harbor Frieght and picked up a heat gun

Nice.

Originally Posted by Locked Up

I run this one and love it:
60 Watt Soldering Station from Circuit Specialists
On sale for $49 right now too.

I'm probably average on the soldering time but I'm very happy with my station. Heats up fast and holds temp very well.


I did the same with the heat gun at HF. I use the balls out of the heat gun and after 3 years it still runs just fine.




While we are on the topic, there is some good info/links towards the end of this article about fume extraction, lead free setups, etc.
So for anyone that is a newb to soldering please give it a go:
What Kind of Solder to Use

Nice station, good tech article.

Originally Posted by el_Fernando

Whatever you do get one that has readily available tips. I had the HK cheapo one and I bought 3 diff types of Hakko ripoff tips that did not fit properly. My fault I know. Now I have a Hakko 888d and its easy as pie when I gotta gets new tips.

I bought the Hakko 888d several years ago when Fry's first had it in stock at good deal of about $70, price went up $20 or $30...it was blue and yellow with numbered temperature knob, now it has digital readout , here's the current version:

HAKKO | Soldering iron | HAKKO FX-888D

Originally Posted by smithgpz

buy a hakko,you will not be sorry.

x2

Originally Posted by stelerzman

AOYUE 9378 Programmable Digital Soldering Station 60 Watt with 10 Tips | eBay

've made my decision. Here is the iron I bought. Can't wait to get soldering with a quality iron.

Great choice and a great deal.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Yes, very good choice there. You will love it!

[stelerzman]

Lucky me, I just received my iron today. I'm extremely happy and can't wait to try this bad boy out. I'll let you know my thoughts real soon.

Thank you everyone for your input, recommendations and suggestions.

[spoo76]

Originally Posted by Locked Up

I run this one and love it:
60 Watt Soldering Station from Circuit Specialists
On sale for $49 right now too.

I'm probably average on the soldering time but I'm very happy with my station. Heats up fast and holds temp very well.


I did the same with the heat gun at HF. I use the balls out of the heat gun and after 3 years it still runs just fine.




While we are on the topic, there is some good info/links towards the end of this article about fume extraction, lead free setups, etc.
So for anyone that is a newb to soldering please give it a go:
http://store.curiousinventor.com/gui...ind_of_solder/

I also use the circuit specialist solder station and love it. I forget how long I've had it, but i did post about it here so a search should bring it up. I paid $60 and picked up a free quality multi meter. I believe it's also compatible with hakko tips

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[chopfather]

Stelerzman, how is the AOYUE 9378 working out for you ? I need to buy a soldering station and I've got it narrowed down to the AOYUE9378 or Hakko FX888D. The 10 extra tips and spare element would probably last a decade for me but they won't be of much use if the soldering station isn't made well.

[Fuamuler]

Just buy it.

[bigmoebbq]

I recently bought a Hakko 888D and it has made a world of difference. Makes soldering easy!

[snapon boy]

Hakko soldering station! I've got the old 963 soldering station and it works great heats up fast. Parts are easy to get if needed. There product support is good also.