Asking for opinion of Australia Jaycar Solder Station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jefflieu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 12:37:59 pm
content: Hi guys,I wonder if anyone has experiences with this product from Australia's Jaycarhttp://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Soldering/Stations/ESD-Safe-Solder-Desolder-Rework-Station/p/TS1574Is this good?I want to do some simple boards with SMD components.Other brands are just so expensiveThanks!Jef

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 01:03:37 pm
content: Plenty of spare parts so should be OK, that has been my telltale in the past, the irons that won't outlast the tips tend to not have spare parts

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 03:08:46 pm
content: For this price it's a joke.

author: wblock
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 03:43:43 pm
content: Isn't that a rebadged Quick 915/917?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 03:50:24 pm
content: It's not Quick. Quick doesn't make stations with a diaphragm pump. Looks like Zhongdi ZD-912

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 11:33:42 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on April 12, 2016, 03:50:24 pmAbsolutely agree. The only difference (aside from the badging) is the Jaycar version has a black knob instead of a white one. What specs I could compare (which weren't many) were also the same.I also notice the ZD-912 has two variants - one with a red power button on the front panel and one without (presumably there's one at the back). Jaycar is showing the one without the power button on the front.I always prefer to be able to get to a REAL power button from the front, so this Jaycar one would annoy me.

author: jefflieu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 01:05:57 am
content: Thanks guys,It's quite annoying that the models look really similar and you can't just find the original manufacturer.Everything from Jaycars are labelled with "DURATECH" and you can't just find the company.I can find plenty of cheaper alternatives on Aliexpress.I just wonder whether going with Local Jaycar is a safer bet and if that's worth the money.Or it's totally the same, Jaycar got them from some Alibaba and mark the price up.By the way, do the tools (from those brands JBC, Weller, MetCal) really cost that much to produce (NRE and Materials) or because they're sold to companies and companies are willing to buy them?

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 02:26:13 am
content: its a safer bet for getting traditional Aus ass ripping. This is a $120 station.

author: wblock
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 02:35:49 am
content: Quote from: jefflieu on April 13, 2016, 01:05:57 amI posted some photos here of the internals of an old JBC soldering station. The materials and workmanship in the disposable name-of-the-week stations don't compare well, or at all, really. Companies are willing to buy the higher-quality stuff because long-term cost of ownership is actually lower, or because they are more reliable, or the quality of work is more consistent.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 02:36:32 am
content: Quote from: jefflieu on April 13, 2016, 01:05:57 amQuite probably. They would easily have enough pull to get something rebadged. It doesn't take much these days.QuoteThat's the thing. You can expect better service with face to face opportunity to address queries, spares and warranty. There's where a chunk of the inflated price goes.

author: tombi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 03:44:49 am
content: Hello,I have the cheaper station that is just a soldering iron. I find the temperature control is hopeless. After you wipe the tip it can take seconds before it will melt solder again.I replaced the stock top with a wider wedge some months ago and noticed recently that when I pull the tip off that there is a lot of sandy crap accumulated between it and the rest of the iron.The screen seems to have come loose and now when I press the temperature control buttons the screen dims.I don't have much to compare it with but I wouldn't bother with this if I had my choice again.The low end JBC are on special at Mektronics for $500 at the moment. It's a lot of money for a hobbyist but might be worth it.Tom

author: wblock
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2016, 06:17:10 pm
content: Or look for used JBC stuff. The AD2200, AD2700, and DI3000 are sometimes cheap. Handpiece cables can wear out after a while, but are fairly cheap to replace. In the US, a used station, handpiece, and tip can be had for $200, sometimes significantly less.

author: jefflieu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2016, 01:54:33 pm
content: I use JBC at work. It's awesome.I really like the fact that you can change tips very quickly.But it seems only JBC has that.I checked for used stuff from time to time. But not much luck.Well, I guess the number of electronic companies in US is significantly higher than in Australia, you guys have better chance

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 06:15:47 pm
content: Quote from: jefflieu on April 13, 2016, 01:05:57 amI just did a quick review of another el-cheapo station:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/quick'n-dirty-review-atten-8502d/msg916779/#msg916779I noticed a few differences in quality (without even opening up the unit), you might find at least part of your answers there....

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 19, 2016, 07:39:22 pm
content: Quote from: jefflieu on April 17, 2016, 01:54:33 pmI have a Hakko FX-951 and a Metcal MX-500 and both have quick change tips. Pull out tip with supplied heat resistant pad and insert new tip.