Decent soldering station in Scandinavia? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2013, 07:44:15 pm
content: Yes, I know what you think, "another soldering station thread". Thing is, I have acrappy stationthat kind of works, but I'd like something better at around €100-€200. I would get a Hakko 888D, but 230V versions are hard to find and expensive in Europe.Following other similar threads, I noticed some people recommend Ersa (probably their top of the line stuff though) and I actually *can* find anErsa Icon PICOfor a decent price. Anybody with experience with this station or could recommend something in a similar category accessible around my neck of the woods?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2013, 08:09:40 pm
content: Nice station based on members' comments that own one.Suspect it would be a better value in the EU than the Hakko FX-888D, and more places to obtain tips/parts when needed.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2013, 08:44:13 pm
content: WELLER

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 12:11:18 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on October 23, 2013, 08:44:13 pmEven the WS51 is out of the OP's budget (277.27EUR at Conrad). Couple of cheaper ones, but they're hobby models and almost no tip selection (IIRC they offer a whopping 3; threaded type).Their QC has gone down as of late as well (stations & tips). I have a recent Weller FWIW, and if I had to do it again today, I wouldn't go with Weller. For what I've spent on mine, I could get a JBC Modular station.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 04:55:05 am
content: Quote from: casper.bang on October 23, 2013, 07:44:15 pmConrad is not known for good prices. You should be able to get that one a bit cheaper if you shop around. However, the station has some features you rarely need for hobby use (SD card, password protection, etc ...). So you pay for stuff you don't need.And Ersa, Weller and the like these days all get their low-end stations like the Pico build in China. The Pico, like some other Ersa ICON branded stations initially had some quality issues. I haven't checked recently if this is still the case.The thing is, there aren't many brand alternatives in your price category. Below your category are the cheap Asian manufacturers. What you currently have is a rebranded low-end Chinese Zhongdi station, the ZD-99. Zhongdi does a few better stations, e.g. the ZD-981 would be an upgrade. But in the great scheme of things they are all rather low-end (and cheap). But here are other manufacturers that are even worse, e.g. Atten. Unfortunately Atten is often rebranded. So you can end up with some Atten station without knowing it.On the other hand, some Asian manufacturers are a bit better. E.g. you could have a look at a Xytronic LF-3000, and use the rest of the money to buy some parts, or to buy a cheap hot-air station in addition.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 05:06:49 am
content: Really, weller hadn't done anything good since the 80's

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 07:58:10 am
content: QuoteHey, if you know of better prices for the I-con Pico in Denmark, please let me know.It's odd that (in Europe anyway) you can find plenty of cheap hobby soldering stations between €20-€100, and also plenty professional soldering stations from €250 and upwards, but nothing decent in between €100-€250. It seems I will have to decide between the Pico and the deprecated analog Hakko 888 from China.

author: tld
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 08:54:46 am
content: Quote from: casper.bang on October 24, 2013, 07:58:10 amBe wary of fakes if ordering Hakko from China.I've found that in scandinavia, the easiest (cheapest) seems to be to look for various OEM-bits, such as this:http://biltema.dk/da/Vaerktoj/Svejsning-og-lodning/Loddevarktoj/Loddestation-19727/While perhaps not great, these are often decent Hakko-clones.You can also get parts for them fairly easily:http://www.a1parts.com/solomon/Other than that, what about Metcal SP-HC1, for €135 + taxes?https://www.elfaelektronik.dk/elfa3~dk_en/elfa/init.do?item=82-390-22&toc=19658(note that those use special tips, so you'd need to change tip for temperature change).Or Ersa ANA 60, for €210 + taxes?https://www.elfaelektronik.dk/elfa3~dk_en/elfa/init.do?item=82-983-44&toc=19658(I have no experience with either).tld

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 09:11:04 am
content: I can sell you a new/boxed Weller WD1 and WSP80 iron and stand for €200 plus €20 UPS shipping to Denmark

author: geppa.dee
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 11:38:56 am
content: I'm far from an EE but I havethis (Velleman VTSSC40N)station and... I think it's decent enough formyneeds. Was rather cheap too. Paid about 70€ for it in a brick and mortar store. It's made in China for sure but the brand is European and known so I don'tthinkthose CE and TUV markings on the box were fake (for watever value they add to this application).Cons: rather shortselection of tipsand the screen is not illuminated. Forgot it ON a few times over night and that tip kinda lost its shine... so Imoddedit to include an unsightly frontal light.Haven't bothered (so far) to accurately measure the heating/recovering time or the real vs displayed temp but I could...But apart from that...

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 12:01:23 pm
content: The Hakko clones (936 series) are pretty good value for the money... and you can "upgrade" them with genuine heaters and tips --- there's a huge market for "compatibles" for these stations.

author: FoXX
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 02:52:01 pm
content: Hi CasperQuality equipment is redicously overpriced here in DenmarkIf you find a nice retailer/ seller please report back, not just for a soldering station, but all basic lab gear.Thanks in advanceMikkel

author: tld
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 02:54:27 pm
content: Quote from: FoXX on October 24, 2013, 02:52:01 pmThis seems to be a recurring issue for people in Europe, and in scandinavia in particular. Wonder if it'd be an idea to set up a wiki, forum or similar for these kinds of things?tld

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 03:10:45 pm
content: Quote from: FoXX on October 24, 2013, 02:52:01 pmI suspect your search will be in vain, there are no outlets like that here...Best we can do is shop in Germany or the UK. For high end gear like new Agilent the prices are largely the same, yet low cost gear ... not so much. I suspect a combination of a small market plus the language barrier for many hobbyists has something to do with it.

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 03:10:45 pm
content: Quote from: tld on October 24, 2013, 08:54:46 amChanging temperature isn't really needed anyways, unless you need to work on really temperature sensitive stuff or want to melt plastics. Thing is that solder doesn't suddenly change it's melting point just because it is on a big copper plane or the like. What is important is that the tip can keep the temperature or recover fast enough. That is the usual reason why so many fiddle with a temperature setting on "regular" stations: crank it up for big solder joints, to compensate for the quick temperature loss and slow/lousy recovery.Greetings,Chris

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 03:17:25 pm
content: My advice is as always..https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/help-me-find-a-hot-air-rework-station!/msg312567/#msg312567

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2013, 04:59:02 pm
content: Quote from: FoXX on October 24, 2013, 02:52:01 pmI agree, I've used Conrad for many years but since they started targeting individual countries (rather than just shipping out of Germany), they became a lot more expensive and have fewer parts.There's a similar store calledReicheltwhich I have never tried though.TMEseems interesting for certain parts, in particular DMM's, but have no experience with them either.Neither RS nor Farnell/Element14 will sell gear to private... officially anyway, I've found they really just need some random company to pin a purchase on (that's where I got some Agilent gear from lately). I'd love to hear about other interesting online stores.

author: FoXX
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2013, 04:13:16 pm
content: QuoteThats a very good idea, i would do it if my English was betterQuoteAgain thanks for the tip ElectroIrradiator, i've bought most of my stuff atElextra.dkbut it's overpriced and mostly crappy Shi*QuoteThank you for the links Casper, they look promising, i would have thought that shipping was a lot more expensive, hence the reason i did'nt look outside Denmark.Thanks allMikkel

author: JeanF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2013, 06:04:58 pm
content: Hi,take a look at Radiospares, on their French site, they still have the Hakko Fx888 (not D apparently - or maybe 888D but badly referenced... anyway, the analog version was better IMO) for 188€ inc VAT.http://radiospares-fr.rs-online.com/web/p/stations-de-soudage/7051597/They have another site which is better if you're not a professional :http://www.rs-particuliers.com/. They also have it :http://www.rs-particuliers.com/Search.aspx?Terms=7051597&Page=0(of course, it's the same...)Shipping is even free to France on Saturdays and Sundays, I think you could try to have them ship to DK without too many problems.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2013, 06:23:28 pm
content: Look at tme.eu

author: abyrvalg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2013, 06:51:15 pm
content: Check JBC's temperature controlled ironhttp://www.jbctools.com/sl2020-temperature-controlled-product-686-category-8-menu-1.htmlor even buy a couple of sizes from their fixed pencil linehttp://www.jbctools.com/pencil-line-soldering-rework-product-458-category-8-menu-1.html- they are simple and cheap but have excellent heat transfer. I had their old 14S (just 11W !) for 5 years doing small things like QFP-0.5 and it was a pleasure to work with. And keep away from 936 clones of clones - you'll be fighting the tool rather than doing the job.

author: psycho0815
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 11:38:29 am
content: Quote from: casper.bang on October 24, 2013, 04:59:02 pmI use Reichelt almost exclusively for components. Prices are way cheaper than conrad and also digikey for the most part. Delivery in Germany is really fast, too.You propably won't find some of the more exotic parts though.Haven't bought any testgear from them yet, but i'd generally recommend them.

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 02:48:35 pm
content: I'm close to pressing the "buy" button on the. I looks like it heats up fast, gives good visual feedback and is a relatively known brand (been around 20+ years). Price is about US$200 withElfa Electronics. Tip quality and selectionappears decent.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 03:18:16 pm
content: $200 is expensive. Here in Germany it costs 80€ (incl. 19% VAT) athttp://www.reichelt.com. They deliver to Denmark.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 03:29:34 pm
content: Quote from: sync on October 28, 2013, 03:18:16 pmSurprising, because both Elfa and Reichelt (and Distrelec) are belonging to the same Swiss company, Dätwyler Holding.

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 03:48:28 pm
content: Quote from: sync on October 28, 2013, 03:18:16 pmThanks for the tip sync... I actually knew about Reichelt but for some reason did not check whether they had the XYTronic (Conrad doesn't). With tax and shipping that still looks like a great deal.

author: Benik3
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 06:17:54 pm
content: Also searching for some solder station in Europe. (concretely in Czech Republic).My limit is about 125USD. The Xytronic L-3000 doesn't look bad, I found it in one shop for 119USD...The FX-888 is over limit for me :/Another brands which I found on internet as good are Proskit or Solomon. What e.g. Proskit SS-227B or SOLOMON SL-30E?Thanks

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 06:25:01 pm
content: The Solomon looks like a rebranded Zhongdi ZD-929.

author: Benik3
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2013, 09:16:44 pm
content: That's good or bad?I just found the Hakko FX-888D on Amazon for 91,33USD, that's good price! (in my country it cost 200USD!!!)EDIT: They are only for 120VI'm thinking about the Proskit or Xytronic...

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 09:01:11 pm
content: I just ordered the Xytronic LF-3000 (along with some other components) from reichelt.com in Germany, shipping to Denmark was only 5 Euro. It was too great a value deal to ignore, representing a step-up from what I have, without breaking the bank (saving up to a Rigol DS1000Z). Thanks to all you guys chiming in with advice and opinions!

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 09:56:42 pm
content: Quote from: casper.bang on October 30, 2013, 09:01:11 pmwith a good selection of inexpensive tips (this list from Howards)

author: Benik3
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 10:15:51 pm
content: I'm still not decided for Xytronic or for the Pro'sKitThe Pro'sKit looks great for the price, but I didn't find any review (some people say that Pro'sKit is good mark).BTW how can this cost about 135USDhttp://www.proskit.com.tw/en/product/product_detail.asp?itemid=SS-989B

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 10:31:55 pm
content: Quote from: Benik3 on October 30, 2013, 10:15:51 pm50 seconds to reach 300 degrees CPro'sKit is the jack of all trades, master of noneget the XYtronic, it's their specialtyXYtronic LF-3000 90 Watt soldering station. Lead free with high frequency, high heat capacity,specializing in fast climbing temperatures and fast heat recovery.

author: Benik3
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2013, 10:43:17 pm
content: OK, thanks

author: FoXX
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2013, 03:52:56 am
content: Hi again CasperCould you make a thread with links for the Scandinavian market?My English is crappy, and i've just had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, so i'm typing with one hand atm.Mikkel

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2013, 07:27:42 am
content: Quote from: FoXX on October 31, 2013, 03:52:56 amSure Mikkel,You can find the Xytronics soldering stations by clicking onthis link. Note that Reichelt uses cookies quite aggressively, so they will prompt you for localization info (Just select "Private customer", "Denmark" for location and "English" language) before you can see the items. I got the LF-3000, assuming it has better construction (certainly the weight difference suggests this) than the cheaper versions.Good luck with your hand!/Casper

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2013, 09:15:51 am
content: Quote from: FoXX on October 31, 2013, 03:52:56 amI though tit was normal to type one handed when looking at the Scandinavian part of the internet

author: FoXX
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2013, 08:03:02 am
content: QuoteHaha KJDSNo buys from me in your e-bay shop

author: casper.bang
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 07:58:15 am
content: Received my €99 Xytronics LF-3000 soldering station yesterday, impressively cheap and quick DE->DK delivery from Reichelt by UPS. While I've only done some preliminary test soldering with it, I think that I will end up being very happy with it. It has a nice heavy quality construction about it, a comfortable compact iron and very responsive when it comes to heat-up. So anyway, would certainly recommend this one to other mid-range hobbyists around Europe who, like I, failed at locating a Hakko for a decent price.