Maplin soldering station: Does anyone have one of these, and how good is it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: iamwhoiam
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2012, 06:25:15 pm
content: Hi there. I need to buy a soldering station this evening. I found this one @ Maplin UK, and a friend who has one says that he "has had no problems with it", but that doesn't sell it to me really.Has anyone got one of these, or do you recognise the brand? If so, are they any good? Thankshttp://www.maplin.co.uk/48w-lcd-display-solder-station-219133

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2012, 06:34:55 pm
content: It is a Zhongdi ZD-931. A reasonable low-end stationhttp://www.china-zhongdi.com/zd-931.htmBut 50 GBP is too much for it. See, for example,http://www.komerci.de/shop/product_info.php?products_id=604&language=en

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2012, 08:08:17 pm
content: No, it most definately isn't silicone, rather stiff PVC is more likely.I used to sell these stations a couple of years ago, we had a couple returned with molten irons.Avoid.The range of soldering stations Maplin sell is shocking.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2012, 08:47:37 pm
content: Zhongdi used a "Weller" style case , which leads me to believe this is one of their other clones .A very shitty one in fact , farnell doesn't really enjoy selling them at all .

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2012, 07:41:17 am
content: Dura tool is a cheapo brand that you see on market stalls and pound shops, that unit also looks like the on Maplin have branded their own. Circuit specialist sell some fairly good units at lowish prices. I bought the CSI station 1A it has a silicone rubber lead, it is only controlled with a knob on the base unit but it works well and is easy to use and quick to respond and heat up it also has two red led's one for power on and one for element heat.I once tried a Dura Tool angle grinder the motor failed within ten minuets so I sent it back the replacement they sent the gearbox exploded within a day it just went in the bin. I only tried it as Bosch at the time had problems and were lasting less than a year and my suppliers rep had one on his van at the time, in the end I went over to Metabo.

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2012, 07:44:03 pm
content: http://www.china-zhongdi.com/zd-931.htmwhats an "amateur fancier" ?

author: siliconmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2012, 07:52:11 pm
content: Quote from: iamwhoiam on April 18, 2012, 10:27:44 pmi've bought loads of stuff with that seller i can highly recommend

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2012, 08:33:04 pm
content: Quote from: siliconmix on April 19, 2012, 07:44:03 pmFor that matter what is a professional fancier. Fancier of what? Pigeons! or birds of the non winged variety.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2012, 08:49:53 pm
content: Quote from: siliconmix on April 19, 2012, 07:44:03 pmWhat part of the body is made of/produces "Human mica", how is it harvested and why would you use it to make heater elements? Sounds disgusting...Interesting to see that all the not so good soldering stuff comes from one company, they certainly found their niche.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 02:33:19 am
content: Averyfew "Amateurs" are fanciable,but most of them are downright scary!!

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2012, 05:36:23 pm
content: I got one of these on special for £30 a couple years ago. Was OK for basic through hole stuff etc but as said avoid.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2012, 10:07:06 am
content: Quote from: iamwhoiam on April 30, 2012, 11:39:28 pmYou can get a whole lot more for that price , that's not enough iron . And worst , it's a poor quality product sold too expensive .ASA : You can buy a 220V FX-888 online ( Err , DX , and that's not a fake model either ) for that price