Looking for a Hot Air Rework Station, Any advice? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: StevieLaner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 12:02:16 am
content: Hi, This is my first post here on the forum, I've been following Daves videos on youtube for quite some time now.I'm pretty new to electronics, (about a yeah or so), I've been using a soldering iron up to now, but have recently discovered how easy SMD components are to work with.After watching Dave's "Atten 858D Hot Air Rework Review" I decided I want a Hot Air rework Station to obtain better results with my SMD work.But I don't really want to go down the "MADE IN CHINA" route, so I was looking on the Farnell Element14 website and found a CIF 852:http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1643119&MER=baynote-1643119-prFarnell has stated; "Country of Origin: FR France" So that one could be a definite possiblilty.I have also see on this forum a few users have recommendatory the BK 6000 BlackJack, but since I already have the iron I prefer the 4050 model instead.but the only problem is that I can't find their website to find out where they are made, so I'm asking anyone on here how happens to have a BK Blackjack whether their unit states the country of origin on it?Or if anyone on here has any advice on purchasing Hot Air Rework Stations it would be much appreciated!Kind regardsStevie

author: Jimmy the Squid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 04:26:35 am
content: I read the following on the back of a BlackJack Solderwerks BK4000 Desolder station: "Made in China"I don't have one, but I found the picture on the web.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 09:46:05 am
content: France? Nah, impossible. Definitely chinaanyway, it's overpriced if you do buy it from farnell.

author: StevieLaner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 06:42:50 pm
content: Hi again,Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated!I would definitely have been disappointed to pay Farnells price only to find that sticker on the back.Looks like I'm stuck with "MADE IN CHINA" on this one then...I think I'll just check inside, run it through the PAT tester at work, never leave it plugged in.Looks like I'll go for the BK 4050 BlackJack then, thanks again for the help!Kind regardsStevie

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 06:54:13 pm
content: choose a Weller, you won't get the china sticker ... but you need some more money !

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2012, 01:51:39 am
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on July 18, 2012, 06:54:13 pmAnd quite bad quality! For the cost, if it's a new model

author: StevieLaner
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 19, 2012, 05:24:43 pm
content: Hey,Looks like I'm done for either way then!I think at least with the German stuff the quality issues would be trivialcompared to the things you hear about Chinese Products.And actually pass through some reputable form of Quality Control.Would definitely have to save up the pennies for a Weller though.Thanks again!Stevie

author: MickM
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2012, 05:41:39 pm
content: I bought the BK5000 from here:http://www.circuitspecialists.com/blackjack-solderwerksWorks absolutely fine, no trouble at all.Been over a year now.It was on sale for $100.Hot air and an iron.Mick M

author: Devian
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 08:29:35 am
content: Hakko, Weller original ones but they are with higher price, Atten 858d and Aoyue 968, they have better reputatation, but they are made by China Factory.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 08:57:59 am
content: One thing to consider is how long do you expect it to be supported, buy a onehunglow sourced unit - just try & get parts or support in 2 years time. I have a 15+ year old PACE, and I can still get parts for it, I will probably be able to get them in 10 years time, it was quite expensive when I got it, divide by more than 15 years, you get the real cost, and even today, it is still a very good piece of equipment. So basically it's down to your budget, how long you expect it's service life to be, and will it be of use to you in a "few" years time.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 06:20:11 pm
content: You buy a 968 and you CAN use the 850's heating elements.So why not?You buy a 858D and you CAN use the 850's heating elements. Just less powerParts support? I hope you aren't kidding, hakko has these parts like forever.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 08:27:42 pm
content: Everything is made in China these days and that is not a problem. With proper quality control in place they can make good quality stuff as well. I recently got an Atten 585D and it seems to work OK.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2012, 05:48:45 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 20, 2012, 08:27:42 pmWell unless you got a yihua ... that shit's completely not working after the first month and recently i got a new heating element and now it's driver board is dead as a rat

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2012, 09:40:37 pm
content: I've got a "Saike" 898D from eBay on a whim, the build quality is quite 'cheap' and I had to tighten a few screws inside to reduce the transformer humming... well it works...still works after 3 months.Maybe you should look at Atten/Aoyue etc but not the rip offs...

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2012, 11:00:17 pm
content: Funny thing is, yihua IS the first company to make them.Atten/Saike/BEST are all rip offs

author: Jimmy the Squid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2012, 12:51:37 am
content: Recently purchased a WEP AT858D rework station, which is an exact clone of the Atten that Dave reviewed. Got it on Amazon for just over $70 USD with free shipping. I didn't have a ton of use for one, but at the price it seemed like a nice thing to have on the shop table. The only difference I could see from the one that Dave reviewed was that the fan was not mangled in the one I got. Unfortunately, it was dead the second time I tried to use it. Nice thing about buying through Amazon is that I got to send it back in (also free shipping) for a full refund without question.

author: Nirios
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2012, 03:21:14 am
content: Hi,I bought a Aoyue 6028 Hot Air Station. The "gun" portion of the tool feels a little cheap, and it was made it China; but it has been working for the past 6 months with no issues. I have used it to remove BGA packages and plastic chip carriers without melting or burning.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2012, 07:27:47 pm
content: Sparkfun carries onehttps://www.sparkfun.com/products/10706for $99Seems rebadged AOYUE. Only trouble I've seen in a year of usage- if not careful removing tips, you can break little plastic pin holding the heater tube, and make it wobble. Fixed with some kapton tape

author: diracshore
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2012, 11:33:38 pm
content: Check this outhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/X-TRONIC-4000-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-/120571221985I got one. Really pleased with it. For $130 >inc shipping< you can't go wrong. Build quality is really nice all over, even on the free lamp thats included. I bet you its the best deal out there.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2012, 03:21:22 am
content: Quote from: diracshore on August 08, 2012, 11:33:38 pmIf you are outside US it's not ...In the end i sprung for thishttp://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/362173594-BAKU-factory-wholesale-prices-for-BGA-4-in1-Rework-Station-BK-862D-wholesalers.html

author: jhalar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2012, 08:43:44 am
content: Does anyone have any experience with the Standig 2009D hot air rework station?http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110752755739?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649It seems to be a unit that is cheap and has the ability to define a 3 temp heat profile unlike most cheaphot air stations which are set to one air temp. I can't find much info on this model.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2012, 11:43:19 am
content: It's a yihua 2009 ...http://gz-yh.en.alibaba.com/product/397739557-209497320/Hot_air_rework_station_YIHUA_2009D.htmlhttp://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/488331357-700W-Hot-air-rework-station-YIHUA-2009D-wholesalers.html