Soldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: neo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 05:20:14 am
content: I want to build my own soldering station and i have an iron but i have no clue how to with this iron (http://www.ebay.com/itm/322119640797?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) i know i can do the rest of it but i just cant get my head around how to interface with the iron

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 05:31:34 am
content: There are two pins for the heating element and two pins for the temperature sensor. Apply 24 volts to the heating element until sensor reports desired temperature, then start lowering the voltage. Make sure that you have 50W power supply (2A, 24V).But the reason is not clear, Chinese soldering stations are dirt cheap. There is no way you will make something cheaper.EDIT: Or they actually sell assembled control boards for about the same price as this iron. All you need to do is add mains transformer.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 05:46:13 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 05:42:29 amHow much time and effort will go into building one? I'm not sure if it is worth it in any way.Also, I find it hard to believe that there are genuine Hakko irons on eBay. Hakko must sell those consumables in the US as well, or Chinese people are somehow more privileged here?Also, what features we are talking about? It is a temperature regulator.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 05:59:43 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 05:54:53 amAnd they cost like half of the new soldering station that includes that iron, not really feeling the "consumable" aspect of it. I see it the same way as batteries for power tools - in many cases it is cheaper to throw the whole thing away and buy a new one than buying new batteries.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:10:42 am
content: There's also the option to buy a nice Hakko or weller station for $100, and with proper care it will last you a long time.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:12:31 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 06:09:51 amWhere I can get them at this price? Especially the handle.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:21:08 am
content: The key components to have good performance is the tip, heater and of course the "RIGHT" controller that handle/drive the genuine heater properly.Just check this thread where I use cheap handle but with genuine heater, of course using genuine Hakko controller ->Hakko 936 ceramic heater A1321 vs fake comparison.Fake handle are dirt cheap, and beware, some dirt cheap Hakko clone heater are using 2 wires and the controller will not work on genuine heater.Edit :Also about the tip, the fake and genuine one is like night and day, although its quite old, its worth to check it out here ->Genuine vs fake Hakko tip

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:22:46 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 06:14:40 amI guess it depends on one's needs.I think for a basic hobbyist the FX888 or WES51will most likely suffice. If you are more of an advanced user, or neef the speed, just drop the coin on an Ersa or JBC and be done with it...

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:23:51 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 06:17:52 amOk, I missed the 'clone' part originally.TBH, I don't really see the difference between Hakko and a generic clone. For the longest time I was using Aoyue 968A before switching it for a Hakko FX-888D and the difference is negligible. In fact I still use Aoyue tips, since Hakko ones are just horrible for my taste.EDIT: Hakko does heat up a bit faster, but I don't see how a few seconds are relevant.Metcal is a different story entirely (and the price as well).

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:33:25 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 01, 2016, 06:30:02 amI described it somewhere on this forum. And I guess the downside of the cloned tips is an advantage for me. Genuine tips wet real easy, so I have no control over the solder on the tip, it just rolls way up, and it is impossible to transfer to the soldered parts. With the clones, I can put a ball of solder anywhere on the wettable part of the tip, and it stays putHere it is:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/problem-with-hakko-tips/msg874535/

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 06:34:25 am
content: I bought a Yihua 937D. It's got a nice silicon cord and a stainless steel heater element. It heats up quickly and seems to maintain tip temperature ok. I do hate lead free solder thought,

author: neo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 04:15:23 pm
content: you ask why i want to do it? i have everything i need on hand to build an analogue controller, i had 60 dollars till i tried to buy a better one and was ripped off and my current one eats tips like candy

author: neo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 04:17:57 pm
content: also my problem is i dont know which sensor it is, from what i know there has to be a sensor in the device to match the one in the iron

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 04:49:49 pm
content: Quote from: neo on November 01, 2016, 04:15:23 pmYou are probably using some highly corrosive flux. I doubt it can be solved by changing the way you control the temperature of the iron.Typically sensors are PTC thermistors, and the only thing you have to match is a rated resistance.

author: Mephitus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2016, 04:58:56 pm
content: If you are wanting to build a nice soldering station, might I recommend the equivalent to what I use?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-metcal-13-56-mhz-rf-supply/The tips are a bit more expensive, but DAMN do I love mine.Alternatively, there are several people here on the forums that have NOS hakko units they are willing to sell to forum members for very reasonable prices. (Like $40-50) If you post in the section for sale/buy about what you are looking for, you will probly get replies pretty quick. Save yourself a ton of hassle and money.