New Iron  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TorqueRanger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2015, 03:05:11 pm
content: I am looking to sell my Weller Wes51 cause I am not liking the tip selections and setup and I love using my Hakko better .. I was looking into buying a Used Hakko Fx-888 or Hakko Fx-888D .. Do you guys have any suggestions for about under $100 bucks???

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2015, 03:21:51 pm
content: http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-FX-888D/dp/B00ANZRT4M

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2015, 03:58:42 pm
content: http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoFX888D-23BY.html?v=0it isnt used, but its only 85 bucks. throw in a couple of tips to unlock free shipping.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 06:52:39 pm
content: You cant really go wrong with the FX888D. we have two of them now and they seem to be pretty good. Second place would go to the Weller WTCPT, but those are getting up there in price these days. I would go with the FX888D for an all around low cost soldering station. Get a small veriety of NON CONICAL!!! tips and you will be set. Conical tips are useless for most things.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 07:14:13 pm
content: FX888...and ditto re: conical tips. I find them to be useless. Flat tips in the range of about 1.6-2mm are just about right for most through hole soldering. Up to about 3mm for heavier work (soldering to the back of pots, beefy solder tabs, etc). 1mm on down for fiddly stuff.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 28, 2015, 12:49:04 am
content: Tip choice for my Hakko 936-SMD conical tip which actually works and 3 chisel sizes, .8, 1.2 and 2.4 mm. Small butane torch for soldering really big wires.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2015, 08:06:32 am
content: In the $100 & less bracket, your best bet is definitely the FX-888D hands down in the US.As per where to buy, TEquipment has decent prices and they offer free shipping over $99 (add a few tips and you're there).BTW, PM sent.

author: TorqueRanger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 03:41:37 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on May 28, 2015, 08:06:32 amThanksI was looking at picking up the hakko but a couple friend pointed Diy builds of soldering station over at Dangerous Prototypes and I was thinking about building one of them or just buy the hakko and be done with it but it make me said that I still have my Trusty Hakko 939 that works wonderful but has a broken case and I don't have time to build one and I used one will cost me about $60 bucks which is pretty close to the price of the hakko FX-888D.. Also what ever happened to Metcal driver board someone was designing here ??

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 03:44:39 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on May 27, 2015, 07:14:13 pmI use the fine conical tips to add tiny bodge wires to .5mm QFN pins. Only a spec of heat is needed.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 09:31:24 am
content: Quote from: TorqueRanger on May 29, 2015, 03:41:37 amReally universal soldering controller (Unisolder) version 5.2by sparkygb from Bulgaria seems quite interesting. Maybe others could give their opinion about it.He's even an user of this forum, but a less frequent one than in Dangerous Prototypes. I asked some (stupid) questions in his forum thread, he published some videos showing the controller working.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2015, 05:25:57 pm
content: Quote from: Circuiteromalaguito on May 29, 2015, 09:31:24 amI hope you guys realize the money isn't all in the controller. Most of those irons + 1 tip will reach or exceed $100 (some of the irons exceed $100 on their own). So it's not going to be this brand new "awesome super-performing station" for pennies on the dollar situation at all. Used is your only hope for that. Pricing will be worse in the EU market.Could be a nice project to try out if you've the time, money, or happen to have access to the parts at some point in the future. But for your primary iron right now, I'd recommend going with something manufactured by a name brand (entry level if new; used can open up options).

author: TorqueRanger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2015, 10:10:45 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on May 29, 2015, 05:25:57 pmOh I know but I feel bad selling my Weller cause I put a brand new control board and 1 brand new iron and 1 slightly used iron which was brand and both iron where purchase together ..But I really don't like the Digital Hakko and prefer the analog style of the FX-888 and the only really complaint I have is that I hate the tips style weller makes .. The only real reason I wanted to switch to hakko was the parts can be purchase separately for the iron unlike weller where you have to buy a whole iron if the heater goes bad .. But only upside is weller iron is $40 to replace verses $100 for the new piece unless you can salvage the broken handle.. I hate being so indecisive..