Cheap soldering station (+ hot air) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2023, 02:33:12 pm
content: Hello all.I'm looking to replace my handheld basic soldering iron and I don't want to spend too much money on it.I want a soldering iron and a hot air gun, but I don't know what's best: 2 separate items or a combined soldering+hotair station.I've seen the TS101, but those are too expensive for my needs (and I don't plan on solderingon the road).Then there's the T12 series on Aliexpress that are quite cheap, however I don't know how good they actually are... The good thing is that there'ssoldering stations,hot air stationsand stations withiron and hotair gun combined.Do you recommend any of these? What else should I consider?I'm really confused with all the different devices available...Thank you in advance

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2023, 03:59:58 pm
content: Unfortunately my experience dictates that cheap soldering or hot air units are just that: cheap.And break easily. This increases the real cost. I do not think they are worth it at all. Even in the short run.Even just replacement costs of heaters and solder irons will drive up the cost of cheap units.Possibly look for used good brand name equipment from someone you trust.Also consider the cost of the T12 tips, if you go for newer equipment.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2023, 05:59:40 pm
content: Quote from: Wallace Gasiewicz on January 16, 2023, 03:59:58 pmThank you for the input, but here is difficult to find this kind of equipment used for a good price. Usually people think they have golden hands and everything touched by them makes the products even more expensive than the new onesThe TS101 tips are also quite expensive (the TS80 are even more)... Not to mention the ~100€ of the iron itself with power supply...In any case, what brand do you recommend? I'm not going to solder on a daily basis (not even weekly basis), so I don't need nothing fancy like JBC

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2023, 10:24:36 pm
content: The handskit might be half decent. Prior to that all 2-in-1 stations were total garbage.I mentioned it here before, but no one has bought it to report back. You can read through the alix reviews to look for what to watch out for.But if you don't go that route, either a 858D and a T12 or T245 clone is the way to go with a low budget.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 09:57:16 am
content: Quote from: canibalimao on January 16, 2023, 05:59:40 pmPerhaps, try an early low end bid on something which looks good and research some quality brands.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 12:21:03 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on January 16, 2023, 10:24:36 pmAre the 858D anything good? I've been seeing those for a while and I thought they were total garbage...And between the T12 and T245, what do you prefer? The T245 seem more expensive but the tips are much closer to the handle than the T12.The T12 looks like it was made for more heavy duty work, and the T245 for more precise jobs, but I'm not sure.Quote from: armandine2 on January 17, 2023, 09:57:16 amI'm not going to even pay attention to someone asking 350€ for a JBC soldering station that I can buy for 380€ new in store with warranty...I used to get good deals in my University when they replaced equipment like this, but I got so used to those nice deals that now I don't accept the prices asked in the normal 2nd hand market.And, since I'm not a student anymore, I don't have access to those deals.

author: ygi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 12:50:14 pm
content: I'd say 858d and any other hot air station using that type of wand are junk. I mean, the wand's running at mains voltage while its build quality is as cheap as it gets. It's a house fire waiting to happen or electric shock if you're lucky.Regarding C245 vs T12, C245 is more powerful (70W vs 130W IIRC). T12 tips are cheaper and offer a wider selection than C245 though C245 also has plenty to chose from. 245 is also a bit bulkier and tip to grip distance largely depends on the handle. For really tiny stuff, look at the smaller C115 instead.All in all, go for C245 if you can afford it as it's the most capable general purpose iron while still good at microsoldering. T12 can do the same except when it comes to large ground planes where it struggles.Anyway, those cartridge based irons are all about tip quality. A clone station with genuine tips will perform mostly like the original. Just take care of grounding/eathing issues before use and you're good to go.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 01:18:53 pm
content: Quote from: ygi on January 17, 2023, 12:50:14 pmWhat kind of hotair do you recommend then?Quote from: ygi on January 17, 2023, 12:50:14 pmThat's exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you very much!I'll then start looking at the C245 options on Ali too see exactly the price differences on both the base kit and the tips.

author: ygi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 07:44:26 pm
content: Frankly, if you want a hot air station from China that you won't hate (or fear) using, you need to up your budget to ~200euro. Also, replacement heating element should be readily available as it's a consumable that will burn out at some point. If possible try to find a seller that can dispatch from EU warehouse to avoid the hassle of dealing with EU customs.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 09:17:39 pm
content: If you are going to solder only occasionally, and don't want spend a lot of money, I would look for a used unit of a brand that is easily available in your particular market.I would go for one with NO electronic readout; Analog.Look for one with a really good solder iron.Here comes the next decision, a temp controlled or just an adjustable power?Good old units have just adjustable power and some can use regular irons that can go into a normal electrical socket are plugged into it.These things are basically a variable power supply. Quite reliable.But the temp controlled ones have temp control built into the system., this is better but necessary??? You decide.Perhaps forget about hot air stuff. Good ones are too expensive and still have limitations. Unless you happen across one for reasonable price.Get some solder wick for solder removal.You asked about Brands.....I have brand preferences but these are only valid for my USA location, maybe not your location at all. Brands include Hakko and PACE (which is what I use).Picked up a PACE MBT hot air and solder sucker for $100 recently with a hardly used handpiece. It just required cleaning up inside and out.A Pace MBT single output station (with air pump in it) can accommodate either the very expensive solder sucker or just a solder iron. Very good unit. The older ones do not have digital readout but are temp controlled none the less and are undervalued partially because of this. You can just change your handpiece when you need the solder sucker. There are also double and triple output MBTs.In the US we have a little known brand called EDSYN, which is a commercial grade unit. These things are basically indestructible and no one know what they are. They are used in handwork soldering in Production mostly, where the manufacturers require that their equipment works all the time. They are temp controlled.I have an Edsyn at the Radio Shop and it is the only thing I have not been able to damage at any time, and it is 20+ years old. It gets turned on the the morning and off at night. For many years.If there are any electronic fair or Hamfests in your area go and see what is available. At Hamfests, offer what YOU want to spend, ignore their price, sometimes they just want to get rid of an estate and dont really know what things are worth. Sometimes they do not want to take the thing home and must get rid of it.We have used various newer brand solder stations at the radio shop and they have all broken several times. These came in with other equipment that someone had to get rid of. Maybe sold it to the owner for a few bucks. . Looked great but Very disappointing

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2023, 11:21:30 pm
content: Quote from: canibalimao on January 17, 2023, 12:21:03 pm858D are not bad, for the price (<$50) they are good value. They work perfectly fine for any sort of small SOT23, SOIC, etc.If you are doing larger BGA repair, then its better to move to a larger unit, but the price will jump up to $160+ for anything better than the 858D.The handskit is (hopefully) essentially an 858D clone.Quote from: Wallace Gasiewicz on January 17, 2023, 09:17:39 pmYour advice is out of date.Doesn't really make sense these days unless you specifically want something higher end.Quote from: ygi on January 17, 2023, 07:44:26 pmThe 858D clone I have has lasted 7 years of regular use so far.The heater element did eventually fail around year 5 but:- it was a repairable failure- replacement handles/elements are very cheap (~$15)- it even came with a replacement element

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2023, 04:02:17 pm
content: Quote from: ygi on January 17, 2023, 07:44:26 pmThat is too much money for the few occasions I need a hot air. For that price I rather just take the PCB that needs rework and ask an electronics workshop to do the work for me...Quote from: Wallace Gasiewicz on January 17, 2023, 09:17:39 pmWell that's not a very good alternative, I'm afraid. Replacing SMD components with nothing but solder wick and a soldering iron is not the same thing as using a hot air gun... I think, despite taking longer to do it with the iron, it's easier to damage the PCB traces and pads.Quote from: Wallace Gasiewicz on January 17, 2023, 09:17:39 pmWell only the big brands you've mentioned are the ones available here. Used ones are just something to forget. More than 300€ is what people are asking on the used market if I try to avoid EU import taxes.Quote from: thm_w on January 17, 2023, 11:21:30 pmThey are really cheap, comparing to all the other alternatives. The handskit's controller is different from the "traditional" 858D, but the handgun seems to be the same.I really need to look at all the online reviews of the Handskit kit's, because the Aliexpress reviews are a bit dubious sometimes (some sellers "buy" good reviews and are difficult to track the honest ones).

author: tatel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2023, 05:23:51 pm
content: https://es.banggood.com/BEST-BST-863-1200W-220V-or-110V-Intelligent-LCD-Touch-Screen-Heat-Air-SMD-Rework-Station-p-1431173.html?cur_warehouse=CZ&ID=523698&rmmds=buyIt has US plug, however. EDIT: so it's probably 110V?Beware! See this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/best-bst-863-hot-air-station/And I do remember another thread from mastershake about bad quality of the tracks in the original board.That said, I'm using the modded one, happy with it. The other, unmodded one, is on the box. Lots of hot air. The wand on my Yihua 853D has never been on again. like night and day

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2023, 11:40:37 pm
content: Quote from: canibalimao on January 18, 2023, 04:02:17 pmSure, handgun is kinda what matters. I'll assume they are capable of implementing a basic triac circuit and PID controller.Power switch being on the back is slightly annoying, is the only thing I see.I've never heard of bought reviews on Aliexpress, I'm sure they exist, but nothing like the number of bought reviews on Amazon. There are a few reviews that note missing parts, so always record opening the package in case you need to dispute.Anyway, if you question the quality, just buy them separately. The cost is not too far off.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2023, 01:06:53 pm
content: Quote from: tatel on January 18, 2023, 05:23:51 pmYeah, the 220V version of this one is out of stock and I've seen that they are a bit bad quality (inside) for the price they ask. However, it's a completely different kind of hot air "gun" than the 853D.That said, I was planning on spending less than that on both items (iron+hot air)Quote from: thm_w on January 18, 2023, 11:40:37 pmI'm really considering buying 2 separate units. The HandsKit combination is really cheap, but I don't know if I prefer two have 2 separate units and, in that case, buy the 858D "original clone"...