Beginner Soldering Station  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: alin_im
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 08:57:29 pm
content: hey guys,Can you recommend me a soldering station for beginners for about 100 pounds / 140 euros? My thought is to buy a Hakko 888d. Any other toughsAlso I would like one that is not an ebay chinese replica of other quality brands.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 09:01:38 pm
content: I gotta Hakko Digital FX888D, and I quite like it. It's quality and it takes very little bench space. I recommend it.

author: continuo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 09:15:26 pm
content: If you are willing to spend a few bucks more (~180 Euro) I would recommend you an Ersa i-con nano station. This thing runs circles around the 888d, both performance- and ergonomics wise. Tips are high quality, long lasting and relatively cheap (~8 Euro for common sizes).

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 09:20:07 pm
content: That Ersa seems really nice. Like the short tip distance for added precision.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 10:00:50 pm
content: HonestlyEither go with some of the chinese knockoffs for <100 EUR. [That are sold under various brands, including e.g. Voltcraft and ELV. In fact I know that Ersa uses a slightly modified chinese station with one of their handpieces for their low-end RDS80 station]Or buy the real deal (~250 € for a JBC or something on a similar level).I wouldn't consider anything in between. The chinese stations are very close in performance to what they copied (one of the older cloned stations are essentially 1:1 copies of the Weller system - they even use the same (PT20) sensor). All the heater-in-the-handpiece systems suffer from the same problems(*), which the heater-cartridge systems simply don't have (albeit at the cost of more expensive tips).(*) long heat-up time, slow response to thermal loading, tip changes require either a lot of waiting for all the metal to cool down or thermal gloves, large grip-to-tip distance, ... the list goes on...

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 10:52:09 pm
content: Above mentioned Hakko is only $89 and it's pretty decent. Not sure about EU but surely for that price it makes little sense to go for Chinese knockoffs.

author: alin_im
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2015, 11:12:44 pm
content: i had a look on the Ersa i-con nano station and is way over my budget. I think I will go with Hakko...I have seen that lots of youtubers use it.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 01:09:19 am
content: But it's only a smidge more, at least if you bother to shop around...

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 03:30:55 am
content: Quote from: alin_im on June 25, 2015, 11:12:44 pmbe careful of clones. I noticed you are from the UK, basically all of the 240V ones on ebay are fake. VERY VERY rare to get a legit one. Try to purchase from an authorized vendor, authorized vendors have been discussed on here.

author: patw4pbj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 03:47:30 am
content: Save up a little longer and buy the better tools. They are an investment that will pay you back with less hassle and better workmanship. In my 35+ years fixing stuff, I've never regretted buying good tools.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 06:39:57 am
content: Quote from: alin_im on June 25, 2015, 11:12:44 pmBatterfly offers FX-888D's for 98EUR before VAT or shipping (here).

author: picandmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 09:35:24 am
content: For genuine Hakko stations buy from their UK or EU main dealers as shown on their list.http://www.hakko.com/world_network.htmlAlso this uk supplier says they are a genuine dealer, perhaps Hakkos list needs updating ?http://proto-pic.co.uk/hakko-fx888d-blue-yellow-digital-solder-station/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 09:45:14 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on June 29, 2015, 06:39:57 amOrdered!(about time I had a proper soldering iron...)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 01:36:57 pm
content: Quote from: picandmix on June 29, 2015, 09:35:24 amFWIW, Batterfly is an authorized distributor as well.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 08:29:36 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 29, 2015, 09:45:14 amJust reading the manual. Setting the temperature is a real pain in the ass compared to the old "less advanced" analog model. What was wrong with turning a dial?

author: Paul Moir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 08:48:10 pm
content: Can't lock down the temperature for QC I guess?Anyway as an owner, I just set the programmed temperatures to convenient settings (270, 300, 350, something high) and switch between them.But do read the manual: it is pretty easy to accidentally loose the tip temperature calibration poking at the buttons.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 09:44:56 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 29, 2015, 08:29:36 pmMarketing decided digital is better.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2015, 10:13:28 pm
content: Quote from: KJDS on June 29, 2015, 09:44:56 pmmeh, might as well build a 936 base unit from schematics on the net and slap a decent hand unit onto it. If fit was the dogs nuts then why is it less so now. Oh yes, I forgot, marketing....

author: GoneTomorrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 03:00:18 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 29, 2015, 08:29:36 pmIt's actually not that bad. Once you program in your common temp settings, you can switch between them lightning fast.

author: DanielS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 03:11:42 am
content: I got my WESD51 when I spotted it on sale for ~$100 CAN many years ago, quite happy with it.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 01:42:24 pm
content: Quote from: DanielS on June 30, 2015, 03:11:42 amSadly, it's only available in 120V input.TheWSD 81would be the closest to yours (it's 80W instead of 50W), but they want a fortune for what you get.The FX-888D from Batterfly (98EUR) or the I-Con Nano from Beta (198EUR) are the best deals I've seen for EU/UK members.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 03:11:59 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on June 30, 2015, 01:42:24 pmI bought a WSD81 about 3 years ago, It's a good soldering iron but it gobbles your cash from a maintenance point of view, because of this I don't use it but instead use the new Antex TC660A, it's just brill, bits last for ages, low cost to run and unlike the previous model is temperature accurate.CheersCommie

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 04:49:00 pm
content: Quote from: commie on June 30, 2015, 03:11:59 pmHow so? Eats tips?I use the same iron (WSP80), which is why I'm curious.

author: commie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2015, 07:20:14 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on June 30, 2015, 04:49:00 pmHi nanofrog,I'm afraid it does and barrels which cost £10.00 a go and the tips are £5.00 each, also the tips are short in length.Good iron though but too expensive to run.The new Antex 660A tips are only £2.50 each and they last upto 4x longer.CheersCommie

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2015, 02:58:57 am
content: Quote from: commie on June 30, 2015, 07:20:14 pmThe Bosnian made ones seem to be all over the place (QC issues), but they do seem to have gotten better recently (newer production apparently has their P/N etched into the butt end).Fortunately, there are 3rd party alternatives as well, such asPlato/Techspray(direct link to MS series), and there are even Chinese made equivalent tips out now (Australian sellers on eBay.co.uk). Both are less expensive here in the US, so hopefully the savings will carry over in the UK as well. Not sure of the best place to source Plato in the UK, but Mouser carries them, and Newark stocks a few as well.As per barrels, I've not found a 3rd party supplier for those yet, but I suspect they do exist (tech from the WSP80 & WD1 have been copied now). You might also luck up on a clearance sale (I managed to get barrels under $2.00 each this way IIRC). I try to stock up on consumables when there's a sale whenever possible.BTW, is there a setback feature in that power unit (timer)? And can it be used with the switched iron holder (WDH10T or WDH20T)?Definitely helps extend tip life beyond what tinning alone can manage.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2015, 12:44:47 pm
content: Mine arrived this week. Unboxing and review video coming soon...