Buying a soldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 14, 2011, 11:42:42 pm
content: Hello,I am thinking of buying the Hakko FX888 soldering stationhttp://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888.htmlWhat is your opinion about it?The problem is that the one I found requires input voltage of 110V, but I am in Europe and the input voltage is 220V...If I buy a transformer will it be fine?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2011, 11:53:02 pm
content: The FX-888 is good. Use the forum search, you will find lots of posts about it.Yes, you can use a step-down transformer to provide the right input voltage. You need one with a power of about 100 W.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 01:40:28 am
content: Hi Dimitri , well I would not suggest an such setup ( extra transformer).You will sacrifice the portability advantage, like: moving it around if there is such need.My opinion is to get it locally ( Greece).I have also in my plans to replace my 16 years old soldering station, with something modern and better.For used ones it best to look in the German Ebay.

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 07:14:39 am
content: Quote from: dimitris89gr on November 14, 2011, 11:42:42 pmThe Hakko FX888 is the best station you can buy and be sure i know what im talking since i had a chance to use even 20 X times more expensive soldering irons and none of them is even close to price/quality like the FX888. You can take ZD987 also its a great tool with desoldering pump too.Buy the 110 V Hakko its much cheaper and easier to find. I did that too and replaced the transformer, here is a description in my native languagehttp://hacklordsniper.com/Arhiva_projekata/Projekt_(9).html.However you can search my older posts there i described in English replacement of the transformer.

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 07:19:35 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on November 15, 2011, 01:40:28 amMy friend I cannot find it in Greece. Only in one shop and they have the 110v version

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 08:13:31 pm
content: Unless you need to carry the iron around to various locations on a regular basis then the 110V Hakko 888 plus a low-cost 220->110V transformer is a great option.Since I bought my 110V Hakko 888 and a 230->110V transformer I've been very happy with the results.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 08:35:57 pm
content: The Hakko web site is a mess about directions for resellers, even so it looks that they do have in Italy Germany and England, there is dots on their global map.Dimitri I would suggest to join the hlektronika.gr forum, to get more localized help.And do not forget that other than getting it, you will need parts and support later on.And so my advice will be, to not make any fast moves before finding an reliable source for the Hakko products.

author: AheadOfTheTimes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 08:42:41 pm
content: Never tried Hakko, but I do like my Weller TCP12P which runs from a 12v car battery. Very simple but very portable, no electronics, just an on-off thermostat.

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 09:00:49 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on November 15, 2011, 08:35:57 pmI had already done it before opening a thread in this forum, but I couldn't get much help...

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 09:11:49 pm
content: Quote from: dimitris89gr on November 15, 2011, 09:00:49 pmCheck your topic there again, and be patient.I am also interested to find a Euro-dealer about those Hakko products,and so I will help if you start following my suggestions.Like to send an email to them.

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 09:27:11 pm
content: I have already sent some emails to distributors in Europe.Until now one from UK replied, but he said that the contract they have with hakko does not allow them to sell outside UK

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 15, 2011, 10:02:59 pm
content: Hakko stations are a good deal in some countries (especially US), in other parts of the world, not so much. Expect to be a lot more. If you live in Europe, brands like Weller and Ersa will be cheaper, more available and easier to get parts/support for. There have been some complaints about a Weller station on this forum, but at least the older models are used by lots of professionals.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 12:37:50 am
content: When i looked to buy my 888 I checked the local prices:R&S NZ$247 (including tax) excluding shippingElement 14 NZ$264.50 (including tax) excluding shippingI ended up buying from a US supplier for about US$90 plus $30 shipping for a total of NZ$145 and picked up a $300W transformer locally for under NZ$60 which gave me a total all-up buy price of about NZ$200 *including* shipping.Okay, I may have only saved $60-$70 but I did end up with a really handy source 110V which can power a couple of other bits of lab gear. If I'd gone with the cheaper 100W transformer I'd have been about $90 better off than buying the 230V unit.With the extra $$ I saved, I could afford to buy some more tips, some flux, some solder and other components.Besides which -- it really annoys me that a company hikes its prices so much based solely on the location of its dealers and then imposes strict controls over what versions they can and can't sell. I don't like to reward companies like that by purchasing any of their products which carry artificially inflated prices (as is the case with the 230V version of the FX888).

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 03:35:12 am
content: I found one reseller in Italy, he looks to have devices and spare parts.I did send an email about the model that Dimitris have in mind.In few hours, I think that I will have an reply.

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 04:36:58 am
content: Quote from: RCMR on November 16, 2011, 12:37:50 amThats a smart move and i suggest to anyone here to get theirs same way

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 07:14:12 am
content: I have been also contacted from a reseller in Italy, confirming that they have the 220v in stock.Waiting for information about shipping costs...

author: dimitris89gr
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 01:09:19 pm
content: Final price, including shipping cost will be 250$...I think it's better to buy a 110 one + a transformer...What do you think?

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 03:43:10 pm
content: I think...Quote from: dimitris89gr on November 16, 2011, 01:09:19 pm

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 04:36:24 pm
content: I have not start reviews about soldering stations yet.But if I was had spare cash this days, I would like to had one of this ...http://www.conrad.com/Digital-Soldering-Station-ST100-D-100W.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=588900&ci=SHOP_B2C_TAB_TOOLS_TOPOFFERIts an complete solution with the smartest design that I have see so far, about the storage ability of other tools in it.

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 06:58:20 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on November 16, 2011, 04:36:24 pmits sold in the US by radioshack for $80 but it uses a hakko 936 clone pencil. The mic socket is the givaway.http://www.attenelectronics.com/productBody.aspx?id=246&bid=14&sid=46

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 07:26:05 pm
content: The only thing that spoils my fun about this one, is that I have use to park my soldering iron with the noose facing the wall.Its safer that way ...EDIT:I got fooled by the Atten picture, the station is fine in all.

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2011, 07:52:04 pm
content: Quote from: EdoNork on November 16, 2011, 03:43:10 pmIMO the 888 was Hakko's response to being so well cloned/ripped off by the chinese. Did they need to change away from the 900 series tips? I think not except for the widespread cloning.If you are ok to buy a Hakko 936 clone you can probably get a decent price in europe. (iehttp://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-deluxe-60w-digital-soldering-iron-station-csi-station3dlf-p-242.html)When in Oz I wired my shop for 110v because of the price difference and the various stuff I eventually collected from the US. Now I'm in the US is no longer an issue but when I go locally now the 888 is in the same class (albeit cheaper and with a slightly hotter iron) as the 936/937 or weller wes51/wesd or even the low end pace. They are all essentially the same internally. My choice would be a wes simply because of touchy feely stuff like build quality/nicer pencil. However its a 50W iron instead of a 65W iron so horses for courses really. Would I pay $250 for one? No..I'd wire my shop... but maybe u move house a bit so its up to decide

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 06:19:56 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on November 16, 2011, 04:36:24 pmIts kinda too expensive, you can buy much more better irons for the money

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 05:32:59 pm
content: The Conrad company, its not famous for the low pricing, even so it is famous about after sales support.Personally I always take the time to discover all my options before I press the "Buy now button".From the other hand if some one at the year 2011 searches for a new soldering station,he has other reasons to become confused.For example , do I need an better made soldering station similar to what I have,or to get a more advanced one with solder iron plus hot air (iron) for smt rework ?Even if you do not touch smt, you will be able to exchange faulty electrolytic from motherboards and PSU of all sorts.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 08:27:14 pm
content: Any opinions on this one?http://www.xytronic-usa.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=26Some of the Xytronic stuff seems to be rebranded (e.g. the hot air station seems to be a rebranded Atten, but I'm not so sure about the soldering stations).

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 08:33:02 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on November 17, 2011, 08:27:14 pmThe solder iron its not pictured !!And so there is not much to say.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 08:45:41 pm
content: While I'm puzzled that you can judge the quality of a soldering station by simply looking at the picture of the iron, here you go:http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/lf2000.htmlIndeed I wondered if something is known about this station. E.g. reviews, user experience, if its rebranded etc.

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 08:52:00 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on November 17, 2011, 08:33:02 pmAnother mic socket iron... 936?Edit: The pencil looks instead like a ripoff of the weller WSP80 (WD series) and uses LT series tips.Something similiar is here:http://www.hksolder.com/Smart-soldering-station-273.html

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2011, 10:43:56 pm
content: Quote from: gregariz on November 17, 2011, 08:52:00 pmActually this is an 7 pin metallic plug and not an 3 pin Mic socket.But even that way, I like them.You can replace easy the all hot iron if the repair cost about just the heating element, its not worth it.My current soldering station, model of 90s, that I got it at 1996 and lost some power at 2010 (internal technical issue) ,still works, and instead of an metallic plug it has an plastic one.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2011, 12:45:58 pm
content: There's a lot of info on soldering stations in the eevblog forum archives.But in nutshell, a reason for choosing either the Hakko FX888 or the Weller WES51 [ or its equivalent in the EU market] is that they conform to IPC soldering standards, and thus are equipped to provide the best soldering conditions as studied by decades of arguments of what constitutes good soldering temps, technique and construction. The user experience bears this out too. Also, they are probably the cheapest IPC conforming stations from a reputable maker, as well as low cost to maintain in terms of added tips and spare parts.There are of course many other stations out there, including the mixed result Xytronic [ whose claim to fame is the invention of the analog temperature controlled station in the 1970] but their quality control is mixed, so you don't know what you actually get despite claims to performing to spec.As Weller manufacturers in Germany [ as well as MX], they do have better tax breaks for the EU community. You'll likely find Weller a better deal than Hakko in the EU [made in Asia, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore at last count.] Xytronic is worth exploring due to its low cost in the EU, but again, I'd only shop it if I can return it after giving it a thorough performance testing and 'take it apart' QC check.While I have all the same info on eevblog, I think the questions raised put more stuff in a smaller thread on this other forum:http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/119211-choosing-soldering-station.html#post993132