Which hot air soldering station should I choose? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GoldeNStouN
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 03:03:41 pm
content: Hello, I wanna buy a hot air station and now I’m stuck between two models, the RF4 RF-H2 and QUICK 857DW+Which one should I choose?

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 03:34:27 pm
content: I don't have either, so no recommendation.However, I can point you to a review of each.The short hose comming out the side of the RF4 RF-H2 might be awkward on the workbench.It looks like the QUICK 857DW+ has been replaced with the Quick 957DW+.Quick 957DW+

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 08:43:35 pm
content: RF4 if your budget is low, as its $90. Quick 957 might be more in Poland.One has digital buttons and presets, one has analog dials. One is more compact on the bench.Up to you which you prefer.

author: Martini
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2024, 03:01:58 pm
content: The RF4 RF-H2 is also twice the power rating of the QUICK 857DW+/957DW+/859D+The 859D+ seems to have a lovely interface and the tube is exiting the front but at only 580 W...

author: mondogen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 02:37:33 pm
content: What about Mechanic 957DW?It seems to be an improved Quick 957DW+ copy:600W vs 580W power500°C vs 450°C max temp100-120L/min vs 50L/min air flow.

author: Martini
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 06:22:11 pm
content: Says 450 on the tin.Is there another version?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 09:40:33 pm
content: Yeah Mechanic is 450C, which doesn't really matter anyway IMO.The one difference that might matter is fan flow rate, could be useful if you are dealing with dense boards or large parts.With 50L/min you'll probably hit ~400W continuous at 400C. So you need higher than that to utilize the full heater power capability.Though 50L/min for me is already very high, usually use 25-40L.

author: mondogen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 08:09:52 am
content: From Mechanic official site (they wrote 500°C in the short description but 450°C in the product parameters image)

author: ASICMaestro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 10:46:58 am
content: Whichever has the longest cable. I like my equipment up and out of my workspace so these type stations have never endeared themselves to me. I don't see what the worry about power ratings is either, they all can bun a board if you blink twice. My current love is the very cheap Handskit T12 hot air rework station. I challenge anyone to tell me why stations seven times more expensive are even three times better. That being said, I'd be willing to try the 957DW+, it's cable looks less obnoxious than most.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 10:56:39 am
content: Quote from: mondogen on May 27, 2024, 02:37:33 pmI suspect those are Chinese l/min, especially considering the same power rating. Also as already said it's 450oC.

author: mondogen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2024, 02:28:36 pm
content: Two weeks ago i bought a Quick 957DW+ on Aliexpress from "QUICK Store", they sell only Quick products.I sent back for abnormal fan noise and vibration, especially at speed 2.Air flow was ok, more powerful than I thought (it was my first hot air station).