Hot Air Stations that won't kill me  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DarkMode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 09:42:04 am
content: Ok, so we all know about the Chinese Hot Air stations and I've seen in 'dodgy' forum section how many of these devices are not Earth'd correctly or have Live wires exposed.I was looking at Yihua 852D and thought maybe that's another dodgy oneHowever about a year ago, I started using Pay in 4Suggestions anyone?Ps: does it come from Temu, Aliexpress (add dodgy sellers here)? PASSBudget Under 200 AUDFeatures: None comes to mindExtras: Does it come with a Kit? Accessories, Tips, Helpers?Thanks

author: Microdoser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 11:29:25 am
content: Just bite the bullet, save for a little longer, and get an Atten ST-862D. You'll be glad you did.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 11:36:08 am
content: Quote from: Microdoser on June 29, 2023, 11:29:25 am2nd'ed

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 01:33:47 pm
content: ST-852D would be very nice.As an alternative this might suffice if it’s available in your area:edit - fixed link:https://www.tequipment.net/Quick/957DW+/Desoldering-Equipment/Rework-Stations/?v=0Extra nozzles shouldn’t cost much or be too hard to find.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 10:09:10 am
content: Quote from: DarkMode on June 30, 2023, 10:01:48 amAll of those are utter cheap Chinese garbage sold for 4-5x of actual price. Either get Atten ST-862D as suggested, original Quick 861DW (more expensive) that ATTEN copied, or cheaper Quick 957DW+ which is simple and somewhat less powerful but still very good station. Or Best BST-863 which is another more blatant 861DW clone.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 03:35:06 pm
content: Pretty much anything with that blower in the handpiece style design is going to have those issues.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 05:18:38 pm
content: Quote from: BrokenYugo on June 30, 2023, 03:35:06 pmDarkMode, This ^ is good advice. In a desoldering station the blower on not so good products is in the handpiece; in the better products such as the products recommended by Wrapper and others (Atten ST-862D and Quick 861DW) the blower is in the chassis. The Quick 957DW+ is an entry level product that also has the blower in the chassis, not the handpiece - so it might be worthy of consideration.What isn't so clear is whether you want or need a station that does both soldering and desoldering. If you already have a decent soldering iron all you need is a desoldering station.If you don't already have a soldering station, you could buy both a soldering station and a desoldering station integrated into one product, or you could buy two separate products, one for soldering and one for desoldering.I think you might find that two separate products will be a better approach. For example, for about $200 (US) you could buy a Hakko FX888D (or any of several other popular soldering stations that sell for about $100) plus the Quick 957DW+. If one product ever fails or if you need to upgrade one product (either for soldering or desoldering) you can just replace one station instead of both. Two products that are smaller than one big integrated product might not take up much more bench space than the integrated product, and with two separate products you could buy however much functionality and performance you need for soldering and for desoldering. Most people are probably going to do more soldering than desoldering but if you do a lot of repairs or parts salvaging it might be the other way around. Either way, with two products you can optimize for what is most important to you.I think you could be happy with something like the 888 and the 957, but if later you really want or need a a 862D or a 861DW you can upgrade from the 957 and keep the soldering station, or you can keep the 957 and upgrade to a better soldering station if/as/when needed.

author: slavoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 06:28:27 pm
content: Quick 859D+ also looks interesting. Maybe I will soon have it for testing, and I will see its worth. I also have the 861DW as well as the 202D and 203D, and they are well-made tools.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 07:11:48 pm
content: Quote from: slavoy on June 30, 2023, 06:28:27 pm957DW+ is better though. All price increase is for bells and whistles and lower max airflow on top.EDIT: I see in China it's as cheap as 957DW+, so airflow it the only major concern if you don't buy it at inflated price.

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 08:22:43 pm
content: I had one of those cheap ones with a normal looking power switch. Except that the power switch does not disconnect the mains supply but instead switches the machine to cooling until the temperature is below 100°C before it's being switched off.One day I walk into the office and the heat gun is on. I tried turning it off but non of it's buttons respond and the gun itself is almost glowing red. Something like that can burn down your house.I still use this heat gun but it's only used for heat shrink tubing and disconnected when done.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2023, 08:00:26 pm
content: About the exposed pins - yeah, just tighten the nut so it doesn't come out, I guess.The 858D fully cuts the mains power, so the connector won't be alive with the switch off.