Hot air station recommendations  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: adiaz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 06, 2023, 09:51:53 am
content: Hello! I’m seeing a few “well priced” hot air stations on Temu. I only need one for heat shrink application on custom audio cables I build both large and small.I assume any of the ones shown on their site should work fine but any recommendations would be a great aid! Thanks in advance!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2023, 09:32:54 pm
content: What is well priced, you need to link to what you are talking about and post the details.If its for heat shrink applications you can buy a heat gun from the hardware store for $20 that will work well (as long as it has high/low temp setting or something). Or spend the $50 on an 858D if you want. We have many many threads here discussing these stations.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2023, 10:31:14 pm
content: My RecommendationsBudget Atten ST-862great unit for the cash and usa stock.https://www.wholesalegadgetparts.com/atten-st-862d-hot-air-rework-station.htmlBig Spender Quick TR1300A all the wizbang features one would expect at a budget price china shipping.https://www.unionrepair.com/quick-tr1300a-1300w-intelligent-hot-air-soldering-station.htmlOrhttps://www.diyfixtool.com/products/quick-tr1300a-intelligent-hot-air-station-for-phone-bga-soldering-repairI have had both. I been using the quick for about 2 years now no issues.

author: Veteran68
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2023, 01:56:02 am
content: I'll second the Atten ST-862. Best bang for buck station IMO. You'll get a lot less if you pay less, but not a lot more if you pay more.Quote from: adiaz on July 06, 2023, 09:51:53 amI would say no, not "any" would work fine. I've seen some real junk. They are not all created equal. Main differences are with consistent & quick temperature regulation and blower/fan type & performance.I know they're a popular budget option, but personally I found the cheap 858D type stations to be sorely lacking for serious soldering work. My first hot air station a few years ago was a 959D (3-preset version of the 858D). I just could not reliably solder with it, and blamed myself for not being able to use a hot air station correctly. Then later I upgraded to the Atten and suddenly it was just "easy."

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2023, 09:41:23 am
content: Veteran68, the ST862D is a very capable machine and is used by many professionals daily. I personally know a few that use them daily for hours each day with a year or more on them. So far only 1 person I know managed to kill a heating element due to abuse and was less then $30 shipped to replace it. It don't have the thermal recover as the TR1300A but its darn close.Both Atten and Quick you can get replacement parts elements and blowers at reasonable price and lead/shipping times.Avoid anything with a fan in the handle or a combo station.

author: Microdoser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2023, 12:39:52 pm
content: I saw this thread and came here to suggest an Atten ST-862D. It's the one I have. It works great, has worked great for a couple of years now, and if it died, I'd buy another.

author: luudee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2023, 01:24:47 pm
content: Quote from: adiaz on July 06, 2023, 09:51:53 amWhy would you want to spend a lot of money on a rework stationif you mainly want to use it to shrink heat-shrink-tubingI use one of these things from AliExpress for my daily shrinking:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005218997288.htmlI also have a large Makita Hot Air gun for serious work, butthat's another story ...Good Luck,rudi

author: Microdoser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2023, 12:57:00 am
content: I completely missed that it was just for heat shrink wraps. If that's the case, literally any hot air gun will do.