Reliable Soldering Station for "Pseudo-Hobbyist"? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FluidParadigms
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 04:30:18 am
content: BLUF:Given all the price hikes, supply problems, etc, etc in the last few years: In 2023, is the Pace ADS200 still the go-to step up from the FX-888D? JBC CD-1* models? Ersa? Metcal? I need something that's "buy once, don't worry about it for the next 10+ years". Are there better options out there that would be just as reliable? I know enough about soldering stations to know that I really don't know anything about soldering stations, so I offer the question here.Wall 'o Text Explanation:I've been lurking 'round the forum and yt channel for a while. I've searched this forum/google/reddit/etc. but haven't found a good solution. Maybe this has already been addressed, but if so, I can't find it.Where I find myself is that don't do much hobbyist stuff anymore, but do a fair number of repair jobs on the side. Most of the stuff is audio-related and ranges from fine circuitboard work to desoldering crusty old volume pots from a guitar or amp or something.The issue I'm running into is that my trusty FX-888 seems to have a hard time pumping enough heat quickly enough into some of these parts, so I'd like something with higher wattage / better thermal performance.What I'm looking for is something of good quality that I won't have to bother upgrading again for the foreseeable future. Something that'll be totally reliable if I go 6 months without touching it and then have to do several repair jobs in a row. Something that has readily-available tips without some crazy lead time if I'm in the middle of a project 5 years from now and need a new tip or part or whatever at the drop of a hat. Then again, I don't need all the features that you'd need on a production line or anything like that (like quick-change tips, programmable temps, etc).Also (obviously) I'd like something that won't be catastrophically expensive, but you gotta pay to play I suppose. +/- a few hundred $ is not a huge deal if it's something I'll keep for many years. I don't expect to burn through all that many tips, so wouldn't think tip price would be an issue? I could be totally wrong, though.I've seen a lot of information out there, but a lot of it seems to be old - I'm not sure if that means outdated, though. Also, it seems like the new hotness (pun intended) out there is the Chinese OEM/rebadge/clone/etc. As much as I'd like to, I don't have the time or energy or motivation to add "soldering iron project" to my hobby list. As fun as it'd be to design my own temperature controller and build a DIY soldering station, I just can't. Nobody seems to be talking about anything else, though.Surely I'm not the only one in this position? Maybe I'm massively overthinking things? Maybe some/most/all of my assumptions are bad? I'm just at that point in my life where I just don't have the "human bandwidth" to keep a constant string of DIY projects going (including hours/days/months of internet research). Maybe I'm just getting old...

author: TomWinTejas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 04:05:11 pm
content: What is your budget? There will be very different answers for $150 vs $1200.

author: FluidParadigms
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 04:42:20 pm
content: Oh, sorry! Derp.That's part of my dilemma. From the research I've done, it seems like my starting point should be in the $400-500 range (US), but since I'm not dying to get it right now, my budget is flexible. If the difference between "pretty good" and "really good" is a few hundred dollars or whatever, I'm cool with that. I can be patient and save up some more.With most products I've seen, it seems like there tend to be fairly well-delineated price brackets that correspond to features/quality/etc. I'm not seeing that in soldering stations, though maybe (probably) I don't know what to look for. There are some units by seemingly well-respected brands that I've only seen a few recommendations for. The Metcal MFR-1110 seems like it'd be a competitor to the ADS200, but I only ever see the Pace compared to the JBC. No one seems to mention any of the Ersa units either. Is it because Dave only compared the ADS200 against the JBC in his video?Edit: Also on the topic of budget, I know I could probably save some cash by getting something used, but I currently don't have the time or energy to spend a bunch of time combing ebay or craigslist or whatever. I'd prefer to just buy something new from a reputable supplier and call it a day.Also edit: I suppose getting a used unit is fine if it's one of those situations like "There are tons of used ones out there because they're rock solid and will never fail you." As long as I don't have to shop for something for weeks/months/+ to find a good deal.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 08:26:16 pm
content: Metcal is partly in the "rock solid" category, although it would be an overstatement to say they never fail. The 13.56 Mhz MX500 units are very reliable and that is why they go for such high prices used. The MFR-1100 are 455 kHz induction so a totally different system but from my experience they are also very reliable. Those ones are in lower demand and go for lower prices used.The thing to watch out for with Metcal is that the 455 kHz system can use both "cartridges" and "tips". The tips do not have the induction coil in them. The coil is a separate assembly in the handpiece. My experience is that the coils are not very well potted and can break apart so you need to watch out for that. The cartridges, on the other hand, are a single solid assembly and would not be subject to that problem.Why is the ADS200 compared to JBC and not Metcal? Your guess is as good as mine, although as an induction system, Metcal stations cannot vary the temperature setpoint. The temperature is controlled by the cartridge or tip based on the composition of a metal slug using the Curie effect. The part number will have a digit or letter suffix indicating the temperature range at which it regulates. Pace and JBC both use servo temperature feedback and you have more control over tip temperature that way.Ersa, like JBC, is in Europe but doesn't have as large a dealer network in other continents so many will not have seen them.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 12:54:37 am
content: If your issue is thermal capacity, the common solution is either Metcal or JBC.You can watch SDG's videos:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/other-blog-specific/the-sdg-electronics-soldering-station-comparisonshootout-thread/MX5000 or 5200 units can be had on ebay for under $400, within your budget.MX500 is fine, but its 40W compared to the 80W of the above units.

author: FluidParadigms
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 02:34:23 am
content: Thanks, folks. I think I'm pretty sold on the Metcal stuff. Performance-wise, it seems like everyone agrees that they're a level above the resistance-based irons. (Unless I'm misunderstanding what I'm seeing.) I can't imagine being bothered all that much by the set temperature. Maybe one or two "gets hot" cartridges for delicate work and one or two "gets really hot" cartridges for general purpose work?Another thing I found interesting is that (amazingly) the cartridges are sold on Amazon (by Amazon), and have been for a long time. They also look to be sold by Mouser/Newark/McMaster, which is nice. The only place I've seen JBC tips is TEquipment, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.I'm curious about the Thermaltronics irons. If I understand it correctly, Metcal's Curie-point patent expired and the CEO jumped ship and started a company to sell basically the same product at a lower price? Usually with that sort of thing I'd expect more people to be saying, "No reason to spend the extra on a Metcal - just get a Thermaltronics."And yeah, I was kind of shocked at how many sold listings I saw on eBay for the Metcal stuff. From what I've seen, people on the internet are always saying "Oh sure, you can pick up an XYZ used for practially nothing!", or "I found a ____ on Craigslist for $50", but most of them apparently live in an alternate dimension from me. I'm pleasantly surprised that that's not the case for Metcal irons.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 02:58:57 am
content: Amazon sells thermaltronics tips for a very good price, which are compatible with metcal, I don't think they have cheap official tips. From my and others experience the quality of their tips is as good as Metcal.Thermaltronics does not make a 80W PSU and they don't have quite as nice of a handle, but otherwise yeah there is not much reason to go one or the other.

author: Thomas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 12:08:27 pm
content: Quote from: helius on February 22, 2023, 08:26:16 pmAgreed. I would stay away from the MFR-1120 kit. I think that's the only one using tips, along with the MFR-H2-ST2 handle.I bought a MFR-1110 many years ago and have been happy with it.

author: FluidParadigms
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 04:22:27 pm
content: I think I might go ahead and keep an eye out for a used 5200. Worst case, it looks like the 5210 kit is $650 brand new. Expensive, but not the end of the world.I was looking at parts and noticed something odd... Are the Metcal workstands made of plastic??

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 09:50:34 pm
content: 5000 or 5200 are good. 5200 just lets you use both ports at the same time.The stands are a mix of metal and plastic, some photos:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/dyi-thermaltronicsmetcal-sleep-stand-mod-question/

author: gerryc89
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 10:46:34 pm
content: This is little blasphemous but i have acquired a jbc clone, it is a sugon a3, the name is ridiculous, sugon in Italy sounds like "sugo" that mean sauce, it can be purchased under 90 euros, is possible to have 3 iron sizes, i have the middle one. It perform like the original, also the tips are made of good material, and you can use the geniune jbc if you want. the standby function work very well, reach the temp in 2-3 seconds when remove the iron from the stand. The heat transfert rate of this iron is very impressive, you can set the temp on 330 340 degree and you can solder almost everything without create problems of overtemperature on pcbs and components. The tip doesn't stuck on massive gnd pads or very high layer numbers pcb's, is real another world, obvius jbc is jbc but for this price is a very good product.Gerry

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 03:27:41 pm
content: Edsyn is a relatively unknown USA made soldering system.The Edsyn in our radio repair shop that is on all the time is the only one we have been unable to break after many years.There are all sorts of models.https://www.edsyn.com/category/ST.htmlThis guy is a distributor and sometimes has rebuilt units that are inexpensive.https://www.eaesales.com/This is an "Industrial Strength" soldering iron.

author: ryanscott6
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2023, 03:56:40 am
content: I went from a FX-951 to a Aixun t3a with a few genuine JBC tips and it's been great. I like the tips a bit better than Hakkos and it's super fast heating up.

author: Prizmatic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2023, 12:24:24 am
content: Metcal or Thermaltronics. I'm just a hobbyist, mostly RF and vintage equipment repairs and ran 2 stations to cover fine and heavy soldering. I got curious about the generally positive reviews and flexibility of RF iron systems (plus freeing up some bench space) and took the plunge. I bought a Thermaltronics and haven't looked back. No messing around, even the relatively fine tips can dump an impressive amount of heat quickly into a joint, the larger tips are overkill unless you want to solder large components to heavy ground-planes quickly. The tips though expensive have proven to be more durable than my other irons, and the ergonomics are great.If you go down this route I recommend talking to the supplier to discuss your needs, in particular metcal/thermaltronics tip cross-compatibility and the working temperature of the tip ranges. Oh, and don't go silly buying a variety of tips, you'll likely find 3 or 4 tip types will comfortably do 99% of the soldering work you do. HTH.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2023, 11:09:19 pm
content: Quote from: RCL on February 27, 2023, 12:55:11 amWhat repair parts specifically? The point is these stations rarely fail.We are not talking about low cost foreign suppliers here, but even if we were, I have 4 of T12 clone units running at work for years, none of them have failed, and even if they did I'd only be out $50.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2023, 09:36:10 pm
content: Take a look at Ersa soldering stations, German technology and quality and they have a wide range of units to suit most pockets.

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2023, 09:58:21 pm
content: Whatever you decide on, make sure it is a system that has a good selection of tips, preferably not too expensive ones and such that are going to fit all your needs, from small stuff to thick wires and terminals, meaning the solution should be powerful enough, probably of those 135W variants. It is a good sign if the tips are produced by many manufacturers and the Chinese have already cloned them: it means they won't quickly become unavailable if/when they are discontinued. It also offers you a choice between cheap and quality.

author: mastershake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2023, 06:15:29 am
content: the t420d so far have been bulletproof for us in daily use every day full days the guys are using them for repairs. we have even had a few who replaced their aging jbc genuine stations with a new 420. they can be had for around 300-340 shipped if you look around (depends on the handle choices) i LOVE having the 245 and 210 in one but i was used to it before getting my own 420.otherwise the t series are really awesome for the moneynow IF you want brand name then of course jbc or metcal.i also own both of those brands and i find myself using the 420 most of the time mainly due to my selection of tips and the cost of replacement ones. i also have the 115 handles for them for when i want a really small tip. for me aixun support has been GREAT they even just sent a replacement 2408 out to me for free and told me not to send the old one back because i had an issue with one ( we have more then 6 now in the shop and this is the only one that had an issue typically we use them for iphone batteries and to inject small voltage during repairs). along with now the small uv lamps i ordered in a handful of them and they work well the fan is a but useless though on them. the guys say they like them.

author: fkfaraz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2023, 05:41:31 pm
content: get the metcal and never looked back

author: BlackICE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2023, 10:54:02 pm
content: I used to use a Weller Wes 50 and later got a Weller 1010 na. After I started reading this formum purchased ksger t12. After I fixed the possible electrocution problem, it heats up faster and has a standby function that works and it has a better handle to tip distance, better heat transfer for larger parts and also much easier to change the tips. So overall I would say for about the $50 I spent for the base unit and numerous more dollars on genuine Hakko tips it works great. Your needs seem greater than mine as far as heat capacitie so I understand look for something better. If I didn't already have a solution that I feel works adequately for me I would look at JBC or metcal. Although very pricely

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2023, 04:51:00 pm
content: Quote from: FluidParadigms on February 22, 2023, 04:30:18 amAren't you from USA? You should probably buy the PACE ADS200. They have quite basic cheap tips especially in USA. Special shape tips are expensive, though. Heating performance is good but not especially great. I have an ADS200 at home and I am happy with that.ERSA is expensive and outdated. Weller has some cartridge soldering irons, but I am not sure what they are like. Weller base stations are made of plastic.JBC is overengineered but has a great heat performance. Some base stations are made of metal I think. I use it at work.I do not like stations with fixed temperature like Metcal or Thermaltronics... But other people like them...Hakko FX-951 is just weird and made of plastic... The handle looks strange...

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2023, 05:00:55 pm
content: JBC overengineering... But soldering tips have a great performance because they are expensive.https://youtu.be/PjEYI5WsLBII prefer the ADS200 internal construction. Soldering tips are cheaper and a bit worse in performance...https://youtu.be/TGaTJmuy21U

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2023, 05:05:50 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/newest-pace-ads200-production-station-(a-jbc-killer-at-$239)/msg4083160/#msg4083160

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2023, 11:01:26 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on March 10, 2023, 04:51:00 pmADS200 price shot up. It makes sense at $200 but not $400.There is an "edit" button if you want to add information to your post.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 03:44:25 pm
content: Well, you can always buy a JBC soldering station. It is expensive but it will work well for some 10+ years probably. The tips are expensive but I like them. I use them at work. I like that you can turn them around.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 06:11:51 pm
content: Just as a contrary view...I use a Weller WD2M base with WMRP iron and WMRT tweezers. The WD2M is obsolete but the irons are compatible with both that and the current WX base. The initial setup isn't cheap but you can plug in the well-known and very decent WSP80 iron, clones of which are available cheap and the tips almost throw away prices. The WMxx (or WXxx if the new stuff) tips aren't so cheap but very good. Tips range from a size suitable for 0402 resistors to 200W brazing torch (slight hyperbole) and the heating technology ranges from 'active tip' where the sensor is as close to the work as can be physically, 'power response' where it's under the plating and back a bit, to 'silver-line' which is old tech 'where the bit meets the heater'. Heat-up times accordingly vary from quite fast but best not to turn it to idle temperature too soon, to "3 secs from 50C to 350C".I like the tweezers which are tiny things that actually help rather than get in the way (I believe thingy at NorthridgeFix uses them and raved about them in one episode).

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2023, 06:00:29 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on March 10, 2023, 04:51:00 pmErsa doesn’t use cartridge heaters, yet manages to achieve similar performance in real-world use. I’ve used both Ersa and JBC professionally, and they’re honestly both great. Ersa’s tips are FAR, FAR cheaper and last longer, and I prefer the Ersa’s shorter tip-to-grip distance and shorter handle. JBC has a much larger selection of tips, but they’re expensive so actually enjoying that large selection is very costly. They heat trivially faster, which makes no difference at all in real use. The only real advantage to the JBC cartridge heater system is that it’s easier to swap tips while hot. You have to be careful when hot swapping Ersa tips.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2023, 01:52:30 am
content: I was able to compare the JBC CD-1BE vs the Pace ADS200 at the local distributor, from ultra-light pinpoint work to huge terminal lugs. After an hour or so of playing around, I realized that the JBC far and away outperformed the Pace, so that was what I bought. This was a few years back, when the Pace was substantially cheaper, but I was willing to pay for the higher performance of the JBC.Frankly, I would have bought another Pace WJS-100, but it was being discontinued at the time. The WJS-100 blows away the ADS200, which seems to be more of a hobbyist machine than for professional use.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2023, 08:54:12 pm
content: Quote from: Arts on March 20, 2023, 01:52:30 amWhich is bizarre, its supposed to replace it. Specs are the same (120W).Do you still have the WJS-100? Did you ever measure power drawn from the wall during heating/soldering compared to the JBC?

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2023, 02:43:41 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on March 20, 2023, 08:54:12 pmThe difference between the internals of the WJS vs the ADS is really night and day.I still have the WJS-100, and find it very close in performance to the JBC, although the tip area is bulkier with the Pace HP tip. Never compared power drain, but I would imagine it to be similar based on cold-startup times and the ability to source vast amounts of heat very rapidly.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2023, 07:05:17 pm
content: Quote from: Arts on March 21, 2023, 02:43:41 amMeaning what?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2023, 02:22:41 am
content: You can see the tip heating speed from cold is in the same ballpark. Just different heating profiles, it's less overshooting than JBC and tapers near set temp. JBC seems not to which means their station runs hotter, not necessarily just due to performance alone.Ersa would be an extreme example of this with it's profiles, I think SDG measured about an 80C overshoot, it does though show this on screen and allows you to turn overshoot off which makes it behave more like the Pace ADS200. JBC why you no show overshoot? You confuse peoples!I don't see anything wrong with the circuit it's just more modern and redesigned, and very simple considering it runs Paces tweezers as well.Edit:As to why the WJS100 is similar to JBC I'm unsure, I've not used one but I have an MBT350. The Intelliheat standard series is surprisingly fast only a bit slower than the Accudrive on some tips. By comparison it's about twice as fast as the Hakko FX951.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2023, 10:41:29 am
content: My ADS200 goes from dead cold (room temp) to 330°C in about 8 sec. And that is for high thermal small (2mm) and large (5mm) chisel tip.Smaller conical tip (1mm) does the same in 6 sec.. same tip goes from STNDBY to 330°C in a bit over 2 sec..That is as much time as I need to refocus my view to the point to solder after grabbing iron and solder...I really don't know how much faster it should be to make a difference in real life...As for performance, i find it's tips wetting better than JBC. Maybe JBC tips oxidize faster because they are running it at higher temp than stated.I tried an experiment and PACE had pretty much same performance as JBC if you set ADS200 to slightly higher temp to make is roughly the same as JBC with their artificially higher temps .... Basically if you set JBC to 330° it will be that when unloaded but as soon you start soldering it will go to 350-360°C.PACE will still try to regulate 330°C. If you set PACE to 350°C it will perform the same... JBC is cheating..Also ADS200 have more ergonomic handle. It is cold even after 10 hours of use. And tip to handle distance is smaller than JBC245 series.As I sad, as soon as you go over certain limit, there is a point of diminishing returns. Choice should be made based on price, availability of tips in certain country etc.. Practical stuff. And like with anything else, no manufacturer does everything perfect. Metcal has good performance, but fixed temp tips. JBC has this done well and this not... Same for everybody. Trick is to figure out what works for you.Performance wise, old 60W Weller Magnastat had enough performance for normal soldering. If it didn't that meant special soldering of high mass components or high thermal mass board that needs preheating.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2023, 09:17:14 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on March 24, 2023, 10:41:29 amPace is regulating the thermocouple to 330C, which is fine, but it means the end of the tip temp could be well below 330 under load.JBC and maybe ersa are presumably using a different algorithm to attempt to regulate the end of the tip to 330C, which is never going to be perfect, and won't work with so many different tip types.I don't disagree that its cheating, but Aixun (at least the version SDG tested) did not have any overshoot, yet performance was still very good: youtube.com/watch?v=26KXtHZqhMg (12:15)

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2023, 11:21:03 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on March 24, 2023, 09:17:14 pmThe difference is that Ersa display the true temperature — including overshoot — on the display, while JBC bullshits with a slow real temperature display that makes it look really good when in fact it’s overshooting significantly. (I once tested a brand new JBC with a soldering tip thermometer that on Ersa and Pace agreed exactly, and it measured almost 20C higher than the digital set point.)

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 01:18:17 am
content: Yeah absolutely. Its a pervasive issue for soldering irons and hot air stations. Hiding the "real" temperature from you. At the same time, some smoothing is desirable so the display doesn't constantly bounce around. The advantage of a graphical LCD is you can have "set" and "actual" temp both displayed.But again measured temp might be higher than the real tip temp, unless using a tip thermometer as you have done.Its worse on hot air stations as the measured temp is the actual air temperature, at most, and hiding/clipping it can result in roasted parts.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 04:20:33 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on March 24, 2023, 09:17:14 pmThe power delivery of the station to the heater is regulated, the thermocouple doesn't regulate at all. I hope the tip temp goes below 330C set temp when soldering otherwise physics breaks or they are cheating.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 01:06:23 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on March 25, 2023, 04:20:33 amI think you misread what you’re responding to — it’s not saying that the thermocouple is doing the regulated. It (the station) is regulating (the temperature of) the thermocoupleto330C.Your statement that the power delivery is regulated seems incorrect to me: the system regulates the temperature (that’s what you set!), not the power (which it adjusts in order to maintain regulation). We don’t set the wattage on the front panel, we set the temperature.thm_w’s point is that theplacewhere the temperature is regulated is the place where it is measured, and that’s the thermocouple.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 09:27:43 pm
content: I'm happy with my Hakko FX-888, except I'd like to change 2 things. 1) make the temp control setting easier to change. Maybe even a knob ? Maybe some one has modded theirs, I'd like to try some day. How much more more would it have cost them to do that?Also it's too easy for the iron to not fully sit in the holder, and the tip will just about touch the back of the holder. So I want to file out a notch for the tip.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 09:53:39 pm
content: Quote from: MathWizard on March 25, 2023, 09:27:43 pmHakko could make those 2 changes and call it a FX-890

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 01:13:38 am
content: The original FX-888 had a knob, but no digital temperature display. I bought one, open box, never used, about 10 years ago for super cheap (actually free) just in case my 937 ever quit working (it never has).

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 05:57:18 am
content: Yeah back then you could probably get an FX888 for about $30 secondhand. People came to realize the buttons were a bit annoying on the FX888D. Might be hard to mod as there is little space for a rotary encoder at least on the front panel and the other issue the weird key press combinations don't lend well to an easy mod so would likely need new firmware.There is this project here I'd not spend too much on it though.https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Digital-Soldering-Station/Dave still has his FX888 I think.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 01:50:11 pm
content: “If your issue is thermal capacity”, the answer is a basic soldering iron, such as the 25W Antex XS25. Don’t be fooled by the low Wattage, it has more capacity than a 70W Weller. The secret is the amount of metal in the bit.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 10:14:51 pm
content: Quote from: Solder_Junkie on April 13, 2023, 01:50:11 pmIt may work in some situations. I haven't had much luck with that style of iron personally.Quote from thermaltronics:Quote