Hakko fx-888 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 11, 2012, 09:52:01 pm
content: Hi everyone,I ordered a Hakko FX-888 on eBay.com from a Chinese seller for about 100 USD. Here is the link:http://www.ebay.nl/itm/121001047406?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649I actually wanted to buy form a American seller, but they had no 220v version, so I had to buy from the Chinese. I heard some rumors about fake Hakkos on Ebay, so I hope mine is real, I will certainly investigate wether these are real, so everyone knows if this seller is trustable.Will do a teardown, and quality inspection, ask if the s/n is known at Hakko and will keep you posted about everything.Regards,Sebastian

author: jabramo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2012, 10:25:58 pm
content: 99% sure that it will be fakeEDIT:Refer to this threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/too-good-to-be-true-%28220v-hakko-fx-888-replica%29/

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 04:20:28 pm
content: Hi again,The item just came in by FedEx. Unpacked it, and the unit looks genuine. Although I can't be certain about it. Will upload some pictures so someone can confirm if this is indeed a 'genuine' Hakko product as the seller says.Regards,Sebastian

author: Dagon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 05:11:02 pm
content: When you open it up take a look at the back of the main board. If there is a Hakko branded chip there it's probably fine. If not and it has an analog chip (maybe an LMxxx) there is a doubt. Read this post by Bored@Work:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-chat/hakko-fx-888-soldering-station-discontinued/msg163859/#msg163859

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 05:13:32 pm
content: So the item arrived in this box, sadly it was rather harshly opened by the costums, ripping out the complete bottom of the box:https://www.dropbox.com/s/k2h4oaqyz0snjwi/P1180041.JPGAlso something i noticed, the outside of the retail box was inside, and visa versa. Quite strange:https://www.dropbox.com/s/wr0erjn09ozvrq2/P1180042.JPGHere are some pics of the unit on my bench. Looks pretty real to me:https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwqfrftxugkzvyq/P1180035.JPGhttps://www.dropbox.com/s/stq2icf9c8hgxrf/P1180036.JPGhttps://www.dropbox.com/s/381lf6d9coer2nq/P1180037.JPGHere's a picture on the bottom of the unit, does anyone know if this is real? Could you compare it to your own Hakko if you own one?https://www.dropbox.com/s/eoml2rpasnbch40/P1180038.JPGThe iron itself:https://www.dropbox.com/s/cad2as8r1ul7k2y/P1180040.JPGHope someone can help me to confirm if this is a real one or a fake. Tomorrow I will do a teardown of this unit + some pics, maybe a video.Regards,SebastianEdit: Thanks Dragon, I will have a look tomorrow.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 05:30:37 pm
content: "Don't turn it on, TAKE IT APAAHT!"

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 06:31:11 pm
content: From photos, it looks genuine. The last thing to do is a tear down to look at the construction and parts.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 06:53:52 pm
content: This soldering iron must look as a weapon under customs' x-rays. Mine was opened too and it was the only time they had opened a package of mine.

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 07:12:48 pm
content: Quote from: ivan747 on November 21, 2012, 06:53:52 pmYeah, first time it happend to me as well.

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 08:40:59 pm
content: Well, did a teardown. It's probably NOT a genuine product from Hakko. Didn't see any Hakko microcontrollers, and the soldering was terrible. Even because of all these things it solders pretty well. So even if it really is a fake, the chinese certaintly did a good job.Didn't feel like it to make some pictures.Will make some tomorrow. Tired now.Regards,Sebastian.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2012, 08:49:17 pm
content: Sorry to hear, but not entirely unexpected and it is news; it looks genuine outside so very curious to see what's inside.Quote from: floris_pd2dxn on November 21, 2012, 08:40:59 pm

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 11:13:48 am
content: Since I noticed it was a fake, I opened a case on PayPal, and the seller volunteered to give me my money backSo he basically admitted the product was fake.I think it's a really bad thing someone on eBay can say it's genuine product, while it isn't.But I got my money back, so I immediately ordered one from a seller in the US, which is known to sell real products. Will need a step-down transformer though.Pics of the teardown will come this afternoon, my camera battery is low.Regards,Sebastian

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 12:54:22 pm
content: Don't forget to send Hakko an email letting them know who the seller was. They might have someone that keeps track and reports fake imports to the Government.I got a fake Sandisk thumb drive from a company in California last year. They were selling hundreds on eBay. I had no problems blowing them in.

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 07:26:49 pm
content: I just made picture's of the unit's internals. You can look at them in this folder on Dropbox:http://www.dropbox.com/sh/sb1obgug99or86q/zRdRhV9rGvThere you can easily browse the pictures.Some notes:-I can't seem to find any Hakko branded microcontroller. Only ICs I could found are a LM324 (op. amp), a LM358 (op. amp), KTLP161J (opto isolator)-The transformer just looks AGGHH!!-The soldering job is crappy on the mains wiring, the smd parts look good, probably done using a reflow oven. See the macro shot on photo #7-Something positive: The wires to the on/off switch are insulated using heatshrink tubing, on Dave's model they aren't.-One of the heads of the screws are broken, making it almost impossible to remove it.And I have one question, how does this guy work? Could somebody explain me?Regards,Sebastian

author: Nermash
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 07:37:42 pm
content: IMHO the easiest way to spot a fake FX888 is to look for a small screw inside the temp dial, used to lock the dial to the selected temp. Fake ones don't have it.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 07:53:10 pm
content: Probably took the 936 board and hacked itinsidea FX-888 boardNot as poor quality as the rest though, for a change the triac is actually heatsinked ... using the caseAt least they bothered with a board on the transformer, that's unusual of them

author: Nermash
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 09:54:14 pm
content: I believe that transformer, plastic case, front plate, iron holder and dial button are genuine. I would just buy the 110V original and switch the transformers. Or, in my case save money for a while and get a JBC

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2012, 10:32:54 pm
content: How does the grip on the handle feels like? Rubber or foam texture?

author: floris_pd2dxn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2012, 05:06:32 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on November 24, 2012, 10:32:54 pmRubbery, definitely not foamy. Why are you asking that?

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2012, 05:23:25 pm
content: Because a rubbery handle means you have a fake iron.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2012, 08:55:16 pm
content: My genuine FX-8801 iron has a grey rubber finger grip with a textured surface. It looks like foam but it is very firm to the touch and has no give at all, although it is very secure to hold and has no sticky or slippery feel to it.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2012, 04:10:58 pm
content: I'd side on this being counterfeit. However, except for the main control board chips and generally sloppy workmanship, it could almost pass as a real FX888. I'm not so sure its counterfeit, I'd have to feel the quality of the parts to be sure. True FX888 from Malaysia weren't pristine inside compared to the 936 that were made in Japan and Singapore; assembly quality for those were impeccable.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 05:44:53 am
content: Quote from: saturation on November 26, 2012, 04:10:58 pmYou know saturation ... Many Americans (and i'm not joking, i've been to US and they are surprised i talk as fast as a Australian) think Singapore is in China.Aside from that instead of straying from the topic i'll givethat it's definitely a clone

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 04:15:58 pm
content: Yes, Its one reason I snatched up a real Hakko 936 even if I didn't need it or could get the 888, I hoped to get either a Singapore or Japanese unit.Quote from: T4P on November 27, 2012, 05:44:53 am

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 02:51:40 am
content: I'm surprised it feels like rubber to you, so far genuines feels like very firm soft touch foam or elastomer to me. Most if not all fake grips. are rubberish silicon type. Do you have a genuine 936 handle to compare with?Quote from: IanB on November 25, 2012, 08:55:16 pmtapatalk

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 03:07:35 am
content: Quote from: nukie on November 28, 2012, 02:51:40 amBut elastomer is just another word for rubber, and foam is an abbreviation for foam rubber. So anything that feels like foam or elastomer by definition feels like rubber. How do you think "rubber" feels different from either of those?

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 10:00:54 pm
content: My definition of foam is less grippy than rubber. Something like those lightweight peanut foam used to fill up voids I shipping boxes. But the genuine grip is a lot firmer than the peanut foam. I can't think of other material that feels like the grip.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 11:09:22 pm
content: I got mine with 240V from mytoolstore.com.au and asked them to order it in for me.Cost a bit more but the iron is worth it.