Hi there, Beginner looking at Soldering Stations & other tools - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2013, 02:13:07 pm
content: Hey guys,I'm a complete beginner with electronics, but have had an interest over the last few years & decided I might make a start. I've also made an intro over at another forum too (Austech) but decided to branch out to other places.My interests at this stage are primary hobby related, I'd like to eventually get into model building (those plastic kits) but modify them with LED lights, as-well as repairing monitors/tv's & other smallish electrical devices.I'm currently in the process of getting my tools together, but am currently at a crossroad for choosing a soldering station. :\ My current choices are either,http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ATTEN-HOT-AIR-GUN-SOLDERING-REWORK-SMD-STATION-AT8586-3-Nozzles-SYDNEY-WRT-/261267782623?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3cd4c5fbdf&clk_rvr_id=520373349431orhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-In-1-Soldering-Iron-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Rework-Station-YH-852D-/380663190785?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item58a14b5501&clk_rvr_id=520371860664I know they're Chinese & not the greatest, but I'm willing to accept that as at this stage I don't think I would use it as often as I would if I were more experienced & didn't feel like spending more until I atleast had more experience.My question is, is there much difference between the 2x stations ? They're also both HAKKO clones (in some way?) so their tips would be usable...or am I mistaken ??I will be ordering some other tools shortly (solder pump, wick, wire etc..)Looking forward to feedback & learning from you guys,Kind Regards,

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2013, 02:38:33 pm
content: I've seen these on eBay before. I've been poking around these forums a great deal lately, trying to absorb whatever I can, but I've never once seen anyone say anything at all about either of these. The general consensus here, though, is that cheap Chinese crap is cheap, Chinese, and crap, and therefore best avoided.That said, I've not seen anyone declare any opinion at all on these stations or any stations like them.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2013, 02:43:53 pm
content: Hey RigbyQuote from: Rigby on September 13, 2013, 02:38:33 pmI've come across reviews about the chinese clones of the HAKKO soldering iron stations & have had some positive feedback saying, though they're Chinese, they still preformed quite well & many people were happy with them (to some degree).. however, I've never seen reviews regarding these rework stations, so I'm not too sure either :\

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2013, 03:13:18 pm
content: I have both a genuine Hakko FX-888 and a Yihua 862D+ 2-in-1 station. Maybe I don't do enough soldering but to be honest I don't really feel a big difference between them (the soldering iron part). The Hakko heats up a little bit faster but other than that the Yihua works just as well, even with cheap Hakko clone tips. I don't use the hot air gun part that often (most of the time I just use it on heat shrinks..LOL), but the few times I needed it, it worked fine.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 03:06:25 am
content: Thanks for the feedback guysI was going to get the Hobbyking soldering station but they no longer stock in the AUS warehouse.. & getting from international costs more than ebay :\QuoteMultimeter I have, picked one up from Jaycarhttp://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1548&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1060#1.Others have suggested I get an ESR Meter which I might do later on. I have small screwdrivers too (mix of heads). Will be ordering some wick, solder pump tip cleaner etc..Anyone have an opinion onhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heavy-Duty-Soldering-Solder-Iron-Tip-Cleaner-Steel-Wire-Cleaning-Ball-With-Stand-/400458751869?pt=AU_Hand_Tools&var=&hash=item5d3d339f7dor should I avoid the material the wool is made of ??Thanks again for the feedback, really appreciate itRegards,

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 03:11:21 am
content: don't buy online.go into a grocery store or megamart-type thing (like walmart), and buy some brass wool (should be beside things like copper wool and steel wool). you want *brass* wool for cleaning soldering tipsstick it in a container of your choice, I stuck it in what was a glass jam jar.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 04:16:58 am
content: Quote from: Fsck on September 14, 2013, 03:11:21 amThanks for that, for some reason it didn't occur to me to look at a local store lol. Why 'brass wool' though & not other types ?Thanks again, will definitely look todayRegards,

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 04:25:14 am
content: brass is nice and relatively soft and also doesn't oxidizecopper oxidizes like a whore and tends to be a pain in the ass to live withsteel is much harder than the tip, you'll just damage your tips.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2013, 06:16:14 am
content: Steel wool from the supermarket also falls to bits, rusts and they put soap in it.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 03:35:41 am
content: Hey guys,Thanks for all the adviceI went ahead and bought 2in1 SMD Hot Air Gun Rework Station WEP off ebay, now looking for some tips for it. I can only find 'Lead-Free' though. Does anyone know where to get HAKKO tips compatible with lead solder ? I hear lead is easier to work with ??Regards,

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 03:48:43 am
content: I think they mean the actual tip is lead free, not that it's for lead free solder only. I use Plato tips on my Hakko, I get them from Mouser for like $5-$8 or so.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 05:43:57 am
content: Quote from: rdl on September 24, 2013, 03:48:43 amooh ok, so you can use leaded or lead-free solder with the tips ? I was looking athttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400426609696?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649but wasn't sure.Thanks for the replyRegards,

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 07:31:03 am
content: I know you already bought a station but: Back 2008 when I was a poor student I bough anAoyue 2703A+and never regretted it. I've worked on Esra, Weller and Hakko stations and sure they are fancy and shiny but I still use my Aoyue. The parts are cheaper, it is very robust and hackable and comes with extensive accessories.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 08:28:48 pm
content: Quote from: LeWidget on September 24, 2013, 05:43:57 amAbsolutely.Just rinse the tip with your leaded alloy solder a few times before using it (tin with leaded solder, wipe & repeat a few times) to get the lead-free alloy off of the tip IMHO. Skips any potential problems associated with a weird alloy mixture until the lead-free stuff is gone from the tip. Only takes a couple of minutes at most.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 10:20:27 pm
content: If you purchased one of these Chinese models and report back with an issue I'm sure there will be a few friendly members who are more than willing to help you fine tune your station. Unless of course if you have bought those lastest induction style stations from Quick or Best. They are Chinese designed copied technology. I don't think there are many owners here.Yes Chinese is cheap but it does not mean its crap. They do however need a little electrical work to get up to safety standards and perhaps some parts upgrade then you will be on your way. This makes them affordable and more money for other stuff like your scope.I would happily use a Hakko clone on my left and a Jbc iron on my right to desolder, all you need is simply a good tip plating, controlled temperature and sometimes high thermal power.This only apply to soldering stations, I don't think it applies to other items like DMM or DSO.Quote from: Rigby on September 13, 2013, 02:38:33 pm

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2013, 02:44:53 pm
content: Hey guys,My new Station arrive today. I dismantled it just to have a peak inside & see if anything seems suss (not that I know what im looking athere's some pics I took,http://s998.photobucket.com/user/Widget1983/library/Soldering%20StationIf you guys see anything odd, let me knowThanks,

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 30, 2013, 05:09:23 pm
content: Dodgy hot-glue action going on here......power transistor next to ELCOs......poor quality components......yep, it's china-ware but should work.