Soldering station advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: crash2140
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 09:32:30 pm
content: After ruining a SMD chip trying to solder it using a cheap soldering iron, I realised that I needed a soldering station. There's three of them I'm currently considering, all of them sell at around 140€ here in Portugal: the Hakko FX888D (Dave recommended it, seems pretty good), the Weller WES51 (a bit cheaper than the previous one, but works at 110V, so a step down transformer increases the cost) and the Ersa i-CON PICO (my local electronics store sells it at 138€, very cheap compared to online stores, unfortunately, it isn't ESD safe). Altough Dave recommends the Hakko, the Ersa seems to be better, as it costs more than the Hakko (without shipping and customs charges) and it is more powerful. Which of these should I buy?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2015, 04:58:15 pm
content: Dude, look at this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/soldering-station-(eu)/

author: crash2140
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 06:12:06 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on April 12, 2015, 04:58:15 pmYeah, only noticed that thread yesterday, so shouldn't have started a new topic. Anyway, I ordered a weller wes51 for 70$ and free shipping from Ebay, which seems kinda suspicious. I'm hoping that I can return it or get my money back in case it's fake. What further increased my suspictions was that the item "was removed from Ebay's website". Here's a print screen I took in case anything goes wrong:

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:03:00 pm
content: A little known trick is to search for something in the country your interested in. Then before you check out or bid on it, change the post code for delivery to one very close to where the item is reportedly supplied from. If the delivery date is more than a couple of days be suspicious.

author: crash2140
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:14:42 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on April 13, 2015, 08:03:00 pmThat seems a good technique indeed.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:16:03 pm
content: if you're implying that the soldering station you linked is shit, it is not. That particular Weller is a very very durable and good iron.

author: crash2140
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:57:14 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on April 13, 2015, 08:16:03 pmNo, never said that or anything close to it. If I thought it was crap, why would I buy it? I know the original one must be good and durable, what I said was that I was hoping that the one I ordered is a genuine Weller.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 09:23:57 pm
content: misunderstanding on my part thenfingers crossed for you that it indeed is genuine!

author: crash2140
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 09:39:21 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on April 13, 2015, 09:23:57 pmNot so sure about that... As it seems, the seller's account was acessed by someone else. I've emailed him and Ebay. Hopefuly I will get my money back.