High quality tips for Aoyue? Hakko? (701A++) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Chendy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2016, 01:54:42 pm
content: Hi gang,Ive got anAoyue 701A++soldering station.Ive seen mention that Hakko tips might be compatible... what high quality tips do people recommend for Aoyue stations?thanks

author: raz221
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 12:31:00 am
content: As far as I can see, the Aoyue 701A++ is a Hakko 701 replica, and should be compatible with both 900M & T18 series tips (soldering iron) and A1003 nozzles (desoldering). You can source these from multiple places, such as:http://frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&cat=&query_string=t18http://www.tequipment.net/search/?F_Keyword=A1003http://www.tequipment.net/search/?F_Keyword=T18http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=hakko+t18&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xhakko+t18+t.TRS0&_nkw=hakko+t18+tip&_sacat=0http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XA1003+desolder.TRS0&_nkw=A1003+desolder&_sacat=0http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-900-5-constant-temperature-solder-tip-solder-horn-soldering-bit-silver-5-pcs-313639http://www.dx.com/p/bangye-by900m-lead-free-sharp-point-welding-soldering-tip-silvery-white-10-pcs-306999http://www.dx.com/p/jl-jl-900m-t-k-450-c-sharp-tip-head-for-electric-soldering-iron-black-373103http://www.banggood.com/search/900m-solder-tip.htmlhttp://www.banggood.com/search/907-solder-tip.htmlhttp://www.banggood.com/23-Pcs-ATTEN-Soldering-Iron-Head-U-Shaped-Sharp-Elbow-Flat-Head-p-996728.htmlAlso, here's a table comparing the 900M to the T18 tips in model numbers:https://www.hakkousa.com/news/default/font-style-font-weight-bold-color-f00-new-font-font-style-font-weight-bold-hakko-t18-tip-series-replaces-900m-bold-a.htmlAnyhow, the 900M tips (to the best of my knowledge) are no longer being manufactured by Hakko.So it's mostly either old stock, or replicas by other manufacturers (not all of which are bad though!)But if you want a guaranteed Hakko tip, you should go with T18 ones (as they still make those)Personally, I like using the 900M-T-2.4D/T18-D24 tip for most tasks, and the 900M-T-I/T18-I for small SMD components, combining wires together, or when working with joints that are extremely close to each other (with very little spacing). I also use both of these solders (depending on the task):http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0810-0-8mm-soldering-tin-wire-silver-276456http://www.dx.com/p/wlxy-wl-0510-b-1-0-5mm-tin-solid-solder-wire-reel-spool-silver-262916and this flux when needed:http://www.dx.com/p/high-quality-intensity-soldering-paste-solder-flux-paste-grease-for-ic-pcb-saffron-150g-271982But each to their own of course, and if you have other preferences, that's fine.In my opinion though, you should avoid lead-free solder (as it's a pain to work with), and the 63/37 leaded solder (as linked above) is better than 60/40 (get's solid immediately after you release the soldering iron, unlike 60/40, which takes a few seconds more)Anyhow, I hope you found my reply helpful!Edit:I've double checked, and it seems that I was wrong on the desoldering nozzles (incompatible with A1003)You can purchase replacement nozzles from em directly though:http://www.aoyue.com/en/products/?bID=133&sort_id=168

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 01:55:58 am
content: Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 12:31:00 amYou can make them fit "relatively" easily and it completely transforms the usability of the tool.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aoyue-desoldering-tips/msg534046/#msg534046I have the 701A and a 968. With genuine Hakko tips and consumables they both do what I need them to do at a price I could afford.The 701A needed some "tuning up", but once it was finished it works as well as the Hakko it cloned.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 02:51:28 am
content: Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 12:31:00 amNot all of the 900M series has been discontinued (quite a few still remain actually; primarily those that don't have T18 replacements).Hakko's Tip Selection pagewill show you what's still manufactured in the 900M series (go to theTip Seriesdrop down menu).Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 12:31:00 amGenuine Telecore Plus from Alpha Metals is good stuff, though I personally prefer Energized Plus, as it's RA rather than no-clean.What you linked however, is of dubious origin (might get something that works one time, but not the next). There's even a thread in here that compares Asian brands of solder wire, which clearly show the complaints of garbage to be true (Quick dirt-cheap ebay solder comparison).The stuff with the dull appearance may in fact have the materials reversed by the look of it (i.e. 60 - 63% lead, 37 - 40% tin)Flux is a gamble as well. For liquid,MG Chemical's 835(RA) comes in small bottles suited to hobbyists (available in multiple markets).For paste, I find Kester's RF741 is really good stuff. Not all markets carry the same products though, or are hideously expensive, but there are other quality brands that can be had (Stannol and Multicore/Loctite are easier to locate in the UK/EU market for example). For more detailed info, search the forum, as there's multiple threads on it.

author: raz221
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 06:56:07 am
content: Quote from: BradC on June 17, 2016, 01:55:58 amInteresting.Thanks for the info!Quote from: nanofrog on June 17, 2016, 02:51:28 amThanks for the correction. But still, original 900M series tips are hard to find nowadays (lots of em have a so-called hakko packaging, but no actual hakko markings on the tip itself, so it can be misleading sometimes) so the T18 ones are preferable IMO.But there's pro's and con's to this of course (as the 900M ones are cheaper, and not all replicas are that bad)Quote from: nanofrog on June 17, 2016, 02:51:28 amAs I previously mentioned, I was speaking from experience.I've used it myself many times (and ordered from the exact same place) so I can definitely vouch for it.It's exactly as on the picture, and does act like a 63/37 solder would, plus flows extremely well.And I'm not sure how you've made it to the conclusion that it's not 63/37 just by "the looks of it"Quote from: nanofrog on June 17, 2016, 02:51:28 amI honestly don't understand where you're coming from this with all this!I have made recommendations to some solder/flux that I've used myself (and found to work well)Now, it's one thing to say that you prefer using something else (I have no problem with that) but trying todiscredit my recommendations based on speculations (just to make your own look better) is something else.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 03:12:23 pm
content: Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 06:56:07 amI never said the T18 should be avoided; they're excellent tips. And I'd take them over the 900M series as well. But they don't yet cover all of the shapes in the 900M series, such as drag soldering tips.As per locating them, Hakko will sell directly if you can't find a distributor (or one with stock).Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 06:56:07 amGreat. You've been lucky.Generally speaking however, the supplies coming out of China are terrible performers. Now consider it's very easy for a beginner to simplify your statement asChinese solder & supplies are good, even though that's not specifically what you wrote.And even though you've gotten some consistency with the particular products you linked, the source may fold, cut corners, or be dismissed by DX for a lower cost replacement at any time. With the buyer likely being unaware of any changes at the time of purchase.So although it may be better than most of the stuff flogged on eBay, DX, ... , it's still a gamble vs. buying something from a reputable manufacturer.As per the looking at it comment, the appearance becomes duller as you add more lead to the mix. Ever worked with 50/50 tin-lead for plumbing? That's not as shiny as either 63/37 or 60/40. Worse yet, would be car battery posts. I've also a materials background as well as electronics that resulted in experience testing this sort of stuff (testing incoming components, supplies, ... prior to clearing it for production).Quote from: raz221 on June 17, 2016, 06:56:07 amYou're making assumptions here. See above.