[FOUND] Looking for a CHEAP hakko/pace solder station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 05:47:41 am
content: I'm looking for a really inexpensive soldering station to upgrade from a cheap iron that I can't get tips for. Looking for a Hakko station (936, 937, etc) that is ESD safe, or a Pace station (stuff like ST-25). I know it's a long shot, but I'm looking to get it super cheap, I can't bring myself to spend probably more than $50 total. So if anyone has something that would be awesome, if not I will keep stalking eBayEdit: eBay stalking worked! $45 for an 888 analog!Thanks!Thomas

author: quint
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 05:21:46 pm
content: I ended up with a little more Pace equipment than I need when I bought some surplus from a local electronics company. If you are still looking for a station, let me know and I will PM you the details. I'm happy to give a good deal to a budding EE.

author: AllanMN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 05:49:53 pm
content: I searched for cheap Pace gear, or used Hakko... clones, cheap, cheap on ebay... Takes so much time.Finally just bought an 888 here:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-Station-FX-888D-/281104049653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41731b65f5$91 was expensive to me. But it's SO much better than an old uncontrolled iron.Good luck to you. Glad to see generosity toward future EE's. And young people interested in making things over buying everything Chinese. I fear that isn't going to end well for us.AllanQuote from: TheBorg on February 13, 2014, 05:47:41 am

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 06:40:42 pm
content: If you're not picky about brands, there's also this Tenma soldering station at Newark.com (Farnell's US store) for $71:http://www.newark.com/tenma/21-10115/soldering-station-esd-safe-60w/dp/56T2208It's a rebranded Attten AT938D station :http://www.atten.eu/solder-rework/atten-at938d-soldering-station-60w-150-450-c.htmlThe same station is rebranded by Circuit Specialists and sold for 49$ (but I'm not sure about the shipping costs) :https://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-station-60-watt-3dlf.html--If you really insist on Hakko...I have about 75$ locked to my Amazon.com account (gift certificate). Not interested in buying something because shipping from US to me is expensive, I use amazon uk or other european stores to buy stuff and the gift certificate is not transferrable.If you can stretch your budget to 75-80$ and paypal me the money, I can put the difference up to 92-93$ and order you a genuine Hakko from Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-FX-888D/dp/B00ANZRT4M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392315575&sr=8-2&keywords=hakko+fx-888The ~ 15$ spent from my pocket is basically like bank transfer fee, cost of spending that 75$ and i would also feel good about helping someone. Let me know if you're interested.Other suggestions... you might want to check Fry's ... they had some deals discounting the Hakko soldering station to 67$ or something like that over the course of a weekend.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 01:15:56 am
content: Great guys, now you've got me second guessing myselfThe Hakko 888 would probably be my next choice - I had forgotten about the Fry's sale of it.... That might be a better option, getting a brand new system, that should be within calibration (are they pre-calibrated? Calibration really shouldn't matter, as long as it's not horrendously off, right?). And $15 more probably wouldn't kill me (just a few extra hours at work, haha), if I can find one on sale... What do you guys think- last generation station for cheap, or a brand new hakko for $70?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:23:13 am
content: What about a used Metcal sstem?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:50:57 pm
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 14, 2014, 04:23:13 amUsed Metcal, working, for a max of theborg's $65 budget? I will take 2!!!!!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:10:04 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on February 14, 2014, 04:50:57 pmOh $65. Oops. Yep, not much of a chance there.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 07:56:11 am
content: If you are near the Fremont frys, grab their display Hallo 936 for $5http://www.frys.com/product/454489Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2014, 04:00:49 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on February 15, 2014, 07:56:11 amNowhere near thereIf someone is however, I will be absolutely happy paying shipping costs and your time if you pick one up!!!Edit: looking like unless someone picks up that hakko (), I'm stuck waiting until the 888 goes on sale again. But for $65 I think I'd rather pick that up and spend the extra $25.Edit 2: gone!

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2014, 06:48:45 am
content: Quote from: mariush on February 13, 2014, 06:40:42 pmWhile I appreciate the generosity a lot, I might as well save you the trouble and wait until they sell the Hakko at Frys for $70. Maybe someone else here would be willing to help you out and Paypal you money and they can use that Amazon balance. I'll take a look at the other stations but I am hesitant to buy non name brand stations after hearing some reviews of them and the quality control processes of some companies (but for the price it's sure worth a look!!).Or another idea about that Amazon balance- why not just buy an Amazon gift card with it (gift card inception!), and sell that on eBay/somewhere else, and take whatever money you get out from it (90-95% face value?).I just think I'm not really going to be able to find a last generation soldering station for enough price difference than it would be worth getting a current generation new station. Meh, so is life.