QUICK861DW for USA, any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: evan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 09:46:15 pm
content: So I've done some searching on the forum for the QUICK861DW and it seems like my best bet for a hot air station. Other consideration was a used Metcal/OKI HCT-900. Not a single review of that one, but I've heard two people complain about long-term quality. Not inspiring to buy used, if at all. I want to stay under a few hundred dollars. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a hakko or something nicer, but those all go for $700-1200 which I really can't justify for this tool at this point. Can't find anything used on ebay in my price range either, other than that metcal.The feedback seems positive, but I'm a bit hesitant since this is really one of the only forums that has any info on it. And even then not much. There are a couple of russian videos, but I can't understand them. I was a little concerned about quality. I don't really like tools that feel cheap, especially when I'm still paying a few hundred for it. If this feels cheap or isn't very good, I probably would wait a few years until I could actually justify the higher cost of a better tool (just curious, what's your favorite pro hot air station?). I can get by with a soldering iron. Does the cable/hose feel okay, how about the plastic handle or rest? Is the rest tippy?People on the forum have said that the model ending in DW is for the US (120v), but all of the listings on aliexpress ending in DW list 240 as the only supply voltage. I was going to order fromgotopac. Has anybody in the US actually ordered this from there?Thanks!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 10:19:15 pm
content: HCT-900 will completely suck compared to quick 861 station which is awesome bang per buck. Quick USA website lists DW version.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 05:26:37 pm
content: I bought mine from Prime Distributing (the other vendor who carries those in the US). No issue there. It's drop-shipped by Quick USA anyway. Note that you can also call Quick USA and order from them. There were $250 vs. $235 when I asked them earlier this year.On the quality side, I assume you read the threads on this forum. There are some complaints about kinks in the hose. True, but I haven't seen any performance loss due to that. Mine had a minor rattle which was easily solved. Customer service in the US might be lacking. This is not a common item (in the US), so it feels a bit risky to get one.I use the unit a few times a week for soldering-related tasks, but also for more basic tasks like heat-shrinking. I find it very easy to use, with multiple speed/temp controls, with good temp control (from what I have been able to measure), a good handle with a solid stand that automatically cools down the handle. It is fairly quiet (blower-based), which I like very much. The quality of the electronics inside seems very good. The sheet metal looks ok but is not of the greatest quality.Overall, it is high-end features with very good ergonomics, reasonable quality at a very affordable price. I like quality equipment myself and drop big $$$ on brand name equipment when needed, but this has been a very good buy despite the low price and the relative unknown brand (in the US). YMMV.

author: evan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 08:51:50 pm
content: Thanks for the input! I'll give it some more thought.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2016, 11:06:22 am
content: I have the QUICK861DW, I was considering the more expensive Weller units when I went for the 861 (based on a forum thread here I think). For me its great value for money, I use it daily and have yet to find anything to give it any trouble. I would caveat that the toughest boards I use it on are 8 layer with not to much of a thermal mass but it does these with absolute ease. Build quality and ease of use are rock solid and the auto shut of stand works a treat.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 01:09:35 am
content: It compares very well to the Hakko FR-810 actually IME, particularly in terms of features. Interestingly enough, I find it actually has a better interface (rather intuitive). I don't use it daily, but I've found it has the capacity to put out some real heat (i.e. motherboards with 12 layers, including heavy ground planes). For disclosure, I also have a cheapie hot air preheater so I don't over cook anything, even in situations that may not actually require it (don't want to chance it, especially if it's not mine).As per the hose kinking, it's the packaging IMHO. But I've found it will work itself out in a few days for the most part, and what may remain doesn't affect performance IME. How you store it will help or hurt you; for example, I lay mine flat on the shelf and wrap it in a long arc around the station, with the stand on top (hose lays flat on the table or shelf, not in the stand). Works for me at any rate, but I do have the physical space to do this so YMMV.The included nozzles have done everything I've thrown at them (shields really help IME), but if you do find you need special shapes, they're not expensive from what I've seen. The stand has a device for removal, but for installation on a hot heater, I'd recommend buying a silicone rubber pad (i.e. ~$7 - 8 for aHakko B2300).Paid $225, but I've had it a couple of years (Quick USA was selling through Tonzof at the time, as well as Wal-Mart online). And thus far, zero problems with it; so hopefully this will help get a feel for build quality. Internal build quality is very good actually, and if you search you'll find photos of the innards before you buy.Like the other posters, the value proposition of this station is absolutely excellent IMHO.You're literally getting ~$750 worth of station for $235. Of course you sacrifice the fancy marketing and customer support you'd get with a tier 1 brand (Quick USA = office of 2 guys in CA last I communicated with them, and English isn't their native language).