WTB : Basic variable temp soldering iron - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 06:11:45 am
content: Hello, I am currently looking to get a variable temp soldering iron. I dont have a large budget, and I dont need anything flash or highly accurate or anything. So I have decided to come here to ask if anyone has a old variable temp soldering iron or something like that they would like to sell. Thanks rich

author: RogerRowland
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 07:19:51 am
content: Quote from: Horryhop on March 09, 2016, 06:11:45 amIt might help to give an indication of what your budget is - something like a new Hakko FX-888D might be in your range?

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 07:23:41 am
content: no, that would not be in my budget range. The reason I sail something older but still working/ not extremely accurate is I do not have the money to spend on something like that. My budget would be 50 to 70 aud max, as any higher and I wouldnt be able to buy the actual electronics components. Thanks rich

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 05:33:19 am
content: Try this linkWait a few minutes and the price will go down. It was a bit cheaper a few days ago, first thing you should do is get some 900M or T18 tips for it, as the needle thin conical it comes with sucks a little. Genuine tips are around $5-6 USD, fakes on ebay are easily obtained under a buck.

author: matseng
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 06:11:56 am
content: Quote from: Shock on March 10, 2016, 05:33:19 amCool, I've never seen that sales trick on a webpage before.But the shipping killed the deal (not that I would get one anyways, but just checking for fun). The cheapest shipping was twice the amount of the item. :-(

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 08:38:53 am
content: wow, 13 aud dollars after waiting but $28 for shipping. Does anyone know any better places to buy it

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 11:14:54 am
content: Quote from: Horryhop on March 10, 2016, 08:38:53 amMake sure you're shipping from the Australia warehouse if in Australia.It's sold on ebay as well but not such a great dealhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271514158500When I brought mine I got 4 of them and with 7kg of shipping, it worked out to be $15.74 each. Perhaps you might consider buying a couple if the shipping doesn't increase much and make it more worthwhile.There are easily dozens of different Hakko 936 clones (such as the Yihua 936) out there, the problem is mainly no guarantee it's going to hold up over a few years. I'd suggest not spending too much on the clones.If your interested in a DIY solution there is the controller and smps based around the Chinese clone version of the Hakko FM-2027 FM-2028 handle this should be doable for under $50 delivered and is superior in performance to the Hakko 936 stuff, it uses the T12 or T15 cartridge which includes the element and tip combined. More expensive that the Hakko 936 for a variety of clone tips $10 vs $1 and $20 vs $5 for a genuine tip. You can buy the clone FM-2027 FM-2028 handle and get a free couple of tips thrown in for $13 and the controller is cheap as well. Look at aliexpress.com and search for T12 and other keywords surrounding the stations the FM-2027 FM-2028 are used in.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 11:56:03 am
content: You might ask why are all these clones mentioned and why would anyone buy them? Well in the USA they could buy 110-120V Hakko products at a decent price but in Australia and Europe here we pay a premium for the 220-240V versions, the Chinese started copying the Hakko models below really cheaply a few years back, but they have started to slowly creep up in price as there really isn't any decent station with a decent variety of tips sub $100. In the USA Hakko 936, FX-888, FX-888D covered that market.With the Hakko FX-888D for about $160 in Australia the gap is still quite large but it comes down to spending up to $50 on a clone is sorta ok because we have little option, paying towards $100 though you're just gifting money for a cheaply made product. The latest development companies are now buying the clones and reselling them or putting their own brand on them. So it's nice to know that $20-30 station ends up $80 plus shipping.Recently clone controllers have come out that would give you the equivalent of the something like a Hakko FX-951 (in Australia here about $500 of station) as I mentioned in my above post they can be done DIY for around $50. No guarantee of any clone meeting the originals specs but if your on a budget things to consider.Hakko 936 (discontinued)Hakko FX-888 (discontinued)Hakko FX-888DHakko FX-951

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 09:16:02 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on March 10, 2016, 11:14:54 am

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 09:57:02 pm
content: If your brand new to electronics the DIY approach may not be the best, as for assembly the Yihua 936 you just plug in the iron and switch it on.For the FM-2027 FM-2028 handle types, you can get full kits, incomplete controllers, kit handles, assembled controllers, assembled handles, a variety of different looking stations and handles and lastly a full clone of the FX-951 with handle and spare tips etc. So various assembly or possibly soldering could be required if you don't go for one of the preassembled ones.

author: MickM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 10:40:53 pm
content: Hi;My first "adjustable" iron was regular AC iron and a light dimmer.Before that I used the iron on "standby", it had a big diode that was switched in.Mick M.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 10:49:46 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on March 10, 2016, 11:56:03 amI have a mix of 120V and 240V. For the 120V we use a step down transformer, not had any problem with the 50Hz line frequently.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 03:00:09 am
content: Quote from: MickM on March 10, 2016, 10:40:53 pmThat's how the cheapest (in the OP's price range ) "solder stations" that Jaycar sell work.http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Soldering/Stations/40W-Temperature-Controlled-Soldering-Station/p/TS1620They look OK,feel heavy,but when you open them up,there is no transformer,just a weight & a dimmer.My Weller WTCP croaked so I needed a temporary replacement & bought one of them.Well,it was pretty dire---any soldering on a PCB was problematical,due to heat loss from the copper groundplane.If you wound the temp up,it cooked the joint & didn't solder any better.I picked up another secondhand WTCP & chucked the Jaycar thing in the back of the cupboard.I could send it to the OP,but I wouldn't inflict it upon him!

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 04:03:50 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 11, 2016, 03:00:09 amAs much as it seems to be a very bad iron from your account of it, would it be better than thishttp://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Soldering/Irons---Electric/80-Watt-240V-Soldering-Iron/p/TS1485as it is what I have now

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 08:13:34 am
content: Quote from: Horryhop on March 11, 2016, 04:03:50 amNo!At least the big iron has enough thermal mass to solder reasonably consistently.The Jaycar "temperature adjustable" thing has no sensor or control circuitry to maintain a set temp.If you wind it up to try to get it to work on a larger job,it will "cook up" if you put it back on the stand without reducing the setting.Real adjustable irons don't do that.I know that continuously adjustable temperature soldering stations are "all the go",but I have got by quite well with the Weller WTCP, which is a regulated fixed temperature iron.If you could pick one of those up secondhand,(I think you can still get them new,but they are way too expensive),it would do a good job for you until you can afford one of the fancy stations shown by earlier posters.P.S.Royel & Pace Solder/Desolder stations have been around since the early '80s & would still be a good alternative,if you could get an old one cheap.Unfortunately, when I checked online,the prices of even the oldest & cruddiest ones I could find were around A$250!

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 08:35:05 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 11, 2016, 08:13:34 amWell I looked for the weller one used, thay look good and are a good price but WOW the shipping. Does anyone know someone who is selling one locally as I assume the shipping would be better locally

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 01:13:35 pm
content: Secondhand Weller stations in Australia? I think you will be very fortunate to pick up one in your price range.Make sure when looking online you are viewing 240V stations. The 110-120V models are cheaper but you have to run them through a suitable stepdown transformer. For the cost of getting a stepdown transformer you might as well just buy a Hakko FX-888D locally.

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 09:16:29 pm
content: Hmm, i wil need to watch out for the 240v thing

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2016, 01:31:11 am
content: Quote from: Horryhop on March 11, 2016, 09:16:29 pmEBay are probably not a good place to look.Maybe Gumtree,garage sales,or as I always say,"Hamfests".I picked up my current WTCP at one!

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 06:55:51 am
content: Hey, just to end this thread and so people know, I ended up getting a hakko 936 white.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 07:39:36 am
content: Cool a genuine one? How much did you end up paying?

author: Horryhop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2016, 08:24:31 am
content: Quote from: Shock on April 19, 2016, 07:39:36 amYeah, its genuine and I bought it off a member for $100 incl shipping