New soldering station, What do I get? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: awesomechapro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 12:50:15 pm
content: Hi everyone, The time has come to replace my soldering station. Does anyone have any recommendations for general hobbyist use soldering stations?

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 12:54:07 pm
content: I like my Hakko.

author: awesomechapro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 01:01:57 pm
content: Hakko was my first thought too, but I have heard some people say that they are a bit outdated? I would only really have the budget for a FX888D or similar.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 01:28:50 pm
content: Hah! I took a look and found:Last purchased Apr 20, 2013So, I have that model. It is over 10 years old and still working like newYes, perhaps a bit outdated but it serves my needs.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 05:04:58 pm
content: I've used an Aoyue 2703A+ rework station for nearly 8 years. None of my previous stations lasted half that long. It suits my needs, and the equivalent from Hakko would cost ~6 times more, so I'll just buy more if it dies beyond repair.

author: ralphrmartin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 05:20:32 pm
content: Have a look at the Geeboon TC22. It's budget friendly and works well. There's quite some discussion about it in the Other Equipment and Products forum.

author: audiotubes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 05:30:00 pm
content: Quote from: awesomechapro on January 04, 2025, 12:50:15 pmIf you don't need air, and the ADS200 is available where you are, get one of those. I love mine so much my Hakko doesn't get much use anymore.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 06:02:05 pm
content: I use the Metcal PS900 irons in my field kits. High performance, no displays, no expensive tips, no "software". Essentially, averyrugged, extremely reliable no BS soldering station. It doesn't cost much more than an entry-level Hakko, and you don't have to worry about getting shafted with a fake.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 06:29:48 pm
content: The new and improved Hakko FX888DXmight be a good option because it doesn't cost too much now and is expandable later (large iron, tweezers, etc). It also has an "improved" interface--and I'm sure it has improved because it couldn't have been worse on the "D" version.

author: thephil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2025, 03:57:11 pm
content: I have had a Weller WS 81 for very many years and I'm quite happy with it. However it's not cheap (approx 350 € here in Germany).I recently got a cheap (approx 110 €) station to complement the Weller (Aifen A9 plus with a C245 handpiece). I have played with it quite a bit already and quite like it. It's a JBC knock-off and heats up extremely fast. Overall it feels very good, especially for the price. There is also the A5 version form the same brand that has less fancy controls but uses the same handpieces and tips. These stations have a switch mode power supply, obviously – in contrast to the big transformers of more expensive stations. So time will tell, how well they hold up.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2025, 04:05:04 pm
content: I don't know if Ersa is a common brand but I really like their soldering irons. The tips are quick & easy to replace during work so I always have the right tip size for the job. And the tips last for decades (probably a lifetime). I have used Weller and JBC as well but always found the tips to degrade very quickly. The worst mistake I made was buying an Aoyue hot tweezer setup. The tips where so useless (as in not picking up solder) I threw the whole thing in the recycling bin and got the hot tweezers from Ersa instead.