Is the hakko 936 still a good station? Buy advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 12:02:31 am
content: Does anyone here think the Hakko 936 is a good station still? I am looking to upgrade my iron and need something with more tip availability. I know the 888D is the most recent station, but the 936 is still good right? I'm looking at paying $30-40 for the station and a 907 iron, that a good deal? It will be for general use soldering, some smd soldering down to QFN, so I need a few tip choices.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 12:20:43 am
content: Is the 936 genuine?Between the 936 & FX-888/D, the newer models are a bit quicker and can deliver more power IIRC (check the specs).

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 12:29:04 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on November 28, 2013, 12:20:43 amAs far as I know, looks used but I can ask for a serial, don't know how to check though short of contacting hakko. It's not a Yihuia or ayoue obvious clone though.Speed I can live without, just need something with good temp control, and a bit more power, for more of a beginner but not a pro station.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 12:49:43 am
content: I have a real Hakko 936 that I bought new from a reputable dealer about 5 years ago. I love it and won't get rid of it. I might upgrade but I won't get rid of mine. If you can find a genuine 936, I would say buy it for sure.Tom, NW0LF

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:21:40 am
content: +1, buy it if its genuine and cheap. Even old, 936 is still considered a good & reliable station.Tip choices is not a problem since it has plenty of models to choose from, and for general purpose, I suggest to use 900M-T-K knife tip (check the 936 manual), imo this is the most handy & versatile tip compared to the popular chisel tip.Just fyi, if the 907 solder iron is heavily abused, just check this out ->Here.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:28:54 am
content: if it's a real 936, hell yeah. for that price of ~40$, nothing will beat it. you need to significantly jump up in price to find the next step up unless you get ridiculously lucky.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:35:46 am
content: Just remembered I did as similar question in the past ->Is it worth the upgrade from Hakko 936 to FX-888D ?, suggesting you read the replies there.Regarding the tip, just do not buy those cheap tips, 99.999% are fake, only source them from a reputable source, and yes, genuine Hakko tip is really worth it ->Genuine vs fake Hakko solder tip comparison

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:38:24 am
content: I have both geniune Hakko soldering stations, as well as clones. I find that soldering iron and hot air stations are a mature tech. As long as they are Hakko compatible for the ease of spare parts, there is not much differentiations. If I can choose a new machine, I would go for a good combo that save space on my workbench, and that is the most expensive real estate of the workshop. The geniune Hakko desoldering machine is still quite ahead of Aoyue, and you want the suction power.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:45:12 am
content: Quote from: all_repair on November 28, 2013, 01:38:24 amMy personal experience on fake Hakko tips, they definitely can't beat the genuine one when it comes to thermal regulation, check above link on fake tip.I believe you don't need to be an expert to know this, loose/poor surface contact between tip and heater = poor thermal regulation and heat conduction, enough said.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 01:53:18 am
content: >>As long as they are Hakko compatible for the ease of spare parts, there is not much differentiations.>My personal experience on fake Hakko tips, they definitely can't beat the genuine one when it comes to thermal regulation, check above link on fake tip.I believe you don't need to be an expert to know this, loose/poor surface contact between tip and heater = poor thermal regulation and heat conduction, enough said.Of course you are right :-)There is good fake and there is bad fake. Depend on the volume you going to use and buy. If just one piece and want it to last 5-10 year. Or you going to use many in a repair workshop, and that makes searching a good fake worthwhile. Or load up hundreds of geniune Hakko when there is factory close down.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 02:09:58 am
content: Quote from: all_repair on November 28, 2013, 01:53:18 amWell, agreed, when it comes to professional/commercial setting where you guys consumed solder tips like there is no tomorrow.Consumable part like tip is one of the fixed cost entries in your operational cost which worth a consideration for a "good" fake tip.But look at the OP's perpective which is just for personal use, choosing a genuine tip is definitely worth it, compared to the time and frustration spent just for finding or worst hunting down a cheap but "good" fake tip, believe you will agree with me here.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 02:46:16 am
content: Thanks, I'll make sure to get OEM tips. Probably 1 knife, 2 sized chiseled, and one really fine conical.However, this has become now a decision between the 936 or a weller WES51. Anyone with some advice there?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 02:53:52 am
content: TheBorg, stick with the Hakko and don't bother with the conical tip. I have one and it really doesn't work a flip for me. It might work for smt, but I keep and use different sized chisel tips. I have never tried a knife tip. I might just have to try to get me a second 936 now.Tom, NW0LF

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 02:58:32 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on November 28, 2013, 02:53:52 amDone and done. The Weller needed fixing anyways. Looking for a reliable source of tips that I can go from in the US, Sparkfun carries a few and I was about to place an order anyways so I'll put a couple in there. $8 isn'ttoohorribleI haven't gotten a serial yet but I have pics so I'll see if I can tell if it's genuine or not just from the pics. Thanks for your guy's help!

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 03:04:54 am
content: Quote from: TheBorg on November 28, 2013, 02:58:32 amWell, for $10, you can get 10 (ten) tips, fake ones of course.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 03:25:33 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 28, 2013, 03:04:54 amHaha yeah, 10 tips destined to last probably three months, if that.Reading thishttp://www.head-fi.org/t/531570/is-this-a-counterfeit-hakko-936thread, I'm inclined to believe mine is a real station (excuse my ignorance but I don't know how to put a link on text on this forum), however I'll hold out for a bit to see if I can get a serial.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 03:44:53 am
content: Quote from: TheBorg on November 28, 2013, 03:25:33 amWhen it comes to these cheap fake tips, the tips life is not a big deal since they're so cheap.It is the crappy experience e.g. very slow heat recovery when you soldered huge thermal spot like ground plane, and the tip won't melt the solder cause the tip temp dropped like a stone, and recovered very slowly, or overshot way too high, that made soldering task & experience no fun at all.Just tear it down once you received it, and post the photos here, will help you to cross check with mine to see if its genuine.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 03:50:25 am
content: >Well, for $10, you can get 10 (ten) tips, fake ones of course. :-Nothing wrong with that if they are of 10 different shape. So you can know which is the type you really need to invest, and also as a cheap standby as and when they are needed. Genuine or not, is for collector, my goal is can use or not, and getting best mileage out of it. I have been lucky with Aoyue and Quick. If I am getting now, I would get a combo, and for the second set or a standby set, a portable.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 11:23:41 pm
content: Thanksgiving came around, and the guy apparently had a lot of holiday. Deal is up in the air now, he has other offers on itHope everything works out, I was really ready to buy this!

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2013, 06:51:37 am
content: Meh, didn't get the deal. eBayAnd I'm not going to go for the non-ESD variant (white). Waiting for another poor soul on eBay to list one for a decent price with offers