Any Hakko FX-888D Users?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 03:42:43 am
content: I am looking at getting at getting something that has a good array of tips I can change.AI suggested this Hakko is popular model. (And cloned to the max)Are they pretty rock solid?Doesn't everyone have one stashed away. (So the rumour goes)I'm looking at moving into very fine detailed work. I have to make do.This is an expensive hobby.I know a guy who took up picture framing. My lord he was boring. Then one day he just quit. No dedicationThanks

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:27:21 am
content: Risking labouring my own post but I was told to come here by outside forces. (It's true)Look at the (3) third answer. So I know I'm in the right place.What is a popular fine tipped popular soldering iron among electronic hobbyists?ChatGPT said:A very popular fine-tipped soldering iron among electronics hobbyists is the Hakko FX-888D. Here's a breakdown of why it's widely chosen:🔧 Hakko FX-888DTip Compatibility: Uses T18 series tips, which include very fine tips for precision SMD work.Temperature Control: Digital, accurate, and stable.Build Quality: Excellent reliability and durability.Popularity: Highly recommended on forums like EEVblog and Reddit.<Spill the beans NOW> (please)🔧 Other Popular Options:TS100 or TS101Compact, programmable, portable.Heats up extremely fast.USB-C/power supply powered.Ideal for field work or tight benches.Pinecil (v2)Open-source, very affordable.USB-C PD support.Uses the same tips as TS100.Weller WE1010NAGood for beginners.Replaceable fine tips available.Slightly bulkier than Hakko.Let me know if you're after a specific tip shape, budget, or portability — I can narrow it down further.ChatGpt End.ZEProof I was commanded to come. AI told me to.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:29:34 am
content: I probably should search first my apologies.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:31:44 am
content: Be prepared for everyone spruiking their favorite soldering iron. You have entered the world of fanboysThe FX888D is a perfectly fine iron, but so are a ton of others.The Pinecil and TS100 fanboys will beat you over the head until you submitThe big names are Hakko, JBC, Weller, Pace, Metcal, Ersa.Basically, what is your budget?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:36:51 am
content: Basically the FX888 and many others are the "old" style non-direct heat tip technology. I've done a video on this:They are still fine, but direct heat tips are the go these days really.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:40:36 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 13, 2025, 06:31:44 amMy wife called me a fanboy last nigh then laughed. I don't care.Thanks for the message. (I might be a fan boy why not hehe)I did that search: Seems I'm not alone (three years later)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/solder-station-recommendations-for-someone-who-thinks-the-fx-888d-sucks/Three years old and it ends in the word sucks. This going to be one interesting ride and read. Sucks? C'mon. I haven't even opened the first page. (Eyeball roll)

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:55:52 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 13, 2025, 06:36:51 amThanks so much Dave.Super helpful awesome had not seen this video. Gives me a great head start. Thanks again.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 08:22:38 am
content: Hakko FX-888 is basically a refresh / update of the classic Hakko 936 which is the station that was cloned / copied by lots of asian manufacturers (Yihua, Atten and others)The asian clones differ mostly in the transformer they use in the unit - the genuine Hakko units tend to use 70-80w transformers, while most asian clones use 60-65w transformers, with some of the cheapest Yihua clones using 30-35w transformers. Lower wattage just means it takes longer to bring the tip to temperature (a few seconds more) and it may take longer for the tip to come up to temperature when you put the tip down onto some surface that pulls heat away.Example of decent to very good or even better than genuine "clones" ... see for exampleAtten AT-969https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/at-969/soldering-stations/atten/orhttps://www.atten.com/product/at-96960w-knob-thermostat-soldering-station,Atten AT-989Dhttps://www.tme.eu/gb/details/at-989d/soldering-stations/atten/orhttps://www.atten.com/product/at_989d_lead_free_esd_digital_soldering_stationAtten AT-980Ehttps://www.tme.eu/gb/details/at-980e/soldering-stations/atten/Atten ST-60, ST-80, ST-100 :https://www.atten.com/product/st_80_digital_soldering_station(still uses 900M tips)Yihua 936, Yihua 937, Yihua 937D / 937D+ (936/937 with digital temperature display), 939 :http://yihua-soldering.com/product-5-lead-free-soldering-station.html/147695/(no encryption, accept to view page unencrypted)Farnell / Newark also rebrands some of these models under their Tenma brand or their Multicomp Pro brandmulticomp mp740999-eu (at-969 rebrand?) -https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp740999-eu/soldering-station-60w-480deg-c/dp/4204643tenma SS-207BC-F (not sure who makes it, similar to yihua but odd case shape)https://uk.farnell.com/tenma/ss-207bc-f/soldering-station-60w-240vac/dp/2565326tenma 21-10115 atten at0980e rebrand, 60w modelhttps://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-uk/soldering-station-60w-220v-uk/dp/2064549(UK mains plug) andhttps://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-eu/soldering-station-60w-220v-eu/dp/2062627(EU mains plug)tenma 21-21310 same but 80w modelhttps://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-21310-uk/soldering-station-80w-240vac-uk/dp/2910487(uk plug) orhttps://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-21310-eu/soldering-station-80w-240vac-eu/dp/2910488(eu plug)multicomp pro MP740261 (atten ST-80 rebrand) :https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp740261/soldering-station-80w-240vac-480deg/dp/3287167with farnell you get added warranty and you can get spare tips and parts using their part numbers as well as original atten part numbers.The Hakko 936 and clones use 900M tips (Atten names their spare tips at T900) , the FX888 uses T18 tips ... they're almost identical, from memory I think T18 are a bit longer, just a tweak Hakko made so you would have a hard time using 900M tips with the new station, but you could use T18 tips with the old stations and clones (but because the t18 tips are a few mm longer, the tip will be further away from the heating element so the tip temperature may be slightly off if you don't calibrate the station)---Soldering stations like Pinecil and T100 stations may be a bit better because the tips come with the heating element embedded in the tip, so in theory the tip will heat faster and the temperature feedback will be better and faster, but the downside is that the tips are more expensive.You can get a 10 pack of 900M tips for something like 5-10$ on eBay (here's an examplehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/204617099634and here's anotherhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/374371028140) but Pinecil / TS-100 will cost you 10-15$ each ... for example, here's a 4 pack for 50 UK pounds (~67$) :https://www.ebay.com/itm/296266765295

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 05:30:30 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on June 13, 2025, 08:22:38 amWow, I came to correct place thanks mariush - this is some extensive research.What a great launching pad for all thing Hakko and beyond.I shall study carefully. I like the look of some of the clones from Farnell and you say they even have their own parts/numbers - they are serious about their clones.Thanks for the heads up about transformers they use or don't use - I would not of thought to double check wattage.Wow there is a mountain of hidden traps for us noobs - it's a jungle out there. The wild west of soldering irons - and everyone is packing!It seems to me that the ideal set up might be to utilize both types of irons. Get a good base station of each type and slowly add tips when necessary.What a brilliant resource thank you for putting it together.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 10:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: Zero_Ego on June 13, 2025, 03:42:43 amI do, and the other day I even had a bash at using it - not so bad after I figured out how to set the temperature - Metcal users beware.

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 09:04:25 am
content: I think the biggest shortcoming of the FX-888D is its terrible user interface. It is very easy to adjust the temperature calibration instead of the temperature, and storing preset temperatures - and accesing them - is too obscure.

author: xavier60
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 11:10:04 am
content: In case anyone doesn't know yet,https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888dx.htmlMuch better UI.

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 11:34:22 am
content: Quote from: SteveThackery on June 14, 2025, 09:04:25 am+1I hold a generally favourable view of my 888D, which I've had and used for the better part of a decade. However, this does happen more often than you'd think it would, and certainly more often than you'd want.

author: nikolatesla
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 02:43:59 pm
content: My take is to just get a t12 ksger from aliexpress or the like .It is a hako clone . That is if you only want to spend 50 bucks .Even less if you are willing to power it with and old laptop supply.Lots of tips available for next to nothing .Great for all pcb work .I use them most of the time ( I have 2 )but I still have and old weller for heavy soldering which only gets used a few times per month.It all depends on your use case and budget

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 04:19:56 pm
content: I’ve used the Hakko for years and am very happy with it. Never had any problems. However, I seldom need to change temp and do little SMD work. If you are going to do much electronics at all, your soldering station, like your DMM, is something you need to be comfortable with. If the Hakko is your choice (there are other good brands), spend the ~US$120 and get the real thing.Mike

author: audiotubes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2025, 09:56:18 pm
content: Quote from: Zero_Ego on June 13, 2025, 03:42:43 amIt's an ok setup, tips are cheap and come in many shapes and sizes. However, heat control is poor.I got a Pace ADS 2000 from welectron a while back, and it is a huge step up from the 888D which I have. The Hakko doesn't get used very much now.Pace tips cost more than the Hakko tips, but the heat control is amazing.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 01:05:18 am
content: I use the FX-888 almost daily for a wide variety of jobs: either SMD, through hole or large GND planes. I can tell that it performs quite well for these tasks and does not heat the handpiece after long periods of continuous use (a problem in certain clones / fakes). It takes about 20 or 30s to heat which is not a problem for me (hobbyist activity). If you are using for that, I don't think you can go wrong. It also uses comparatively inexpensive tips that, if purchased from Hakko directly or from a reputable source, last a lifetime.My experience and comparison with professional stations and jobs is mentioned in a few places around this forum. One of them is:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/solder-station-recommendations-for-someone-who-thinks-the-fx-888d-sucks/msg5325374/#msg5325374

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 01:15:24 am
content: Another bonus to the FX-888 is the ability to plug in Hakko SMT tweezers into the base:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/hakko-950-vs-fx-8804-same-product-different-connector/msg5880454/#msg5880454

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 11:41:44 am
content: I like my 888D, but I would rather have the analog version. The UI is a nuisance, but I don’t do a ton of soldering so I can live with it. Be careful not to get a counterfeit one if you value the warranty.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 07:09:18 pm
content: Wow. I wish I had of checked back here before I purchased the FNIRSI DWS-200 just this afternoon. Uh oh!It was about tip size in the end. I am going into the 4K world of optics in a few days - I'm going to be doing very fine work.I doubt this unit will last 12 months anyway. But I am planning on making sure I don't push it and keep it well under it's threshold before smoke. (I'm so pessimistic maybe it will be perfectly fine - except for the static on the end of the tip which I need to figure out how to minimize. )I'm talking about another thread I started in this same Beginners Lounge about the DWS-200. (And it's known issues)Thank you again for all the comments, I will take my time reading through them.Very much humbled and appreciated for your time. But please know I'm sold on the 888D - I AM one of you. (Yes I joined both clubs)Before I came to this forum only a few days ago, I knew of neither the Hakko nor the new types that take the interchangeable cartridge tips. Talk about education and one for those who have taken one too many hits of 60/40 - this it like I am cramming for an exam tomorrow. (And loving it!)ZEThank you so much for all the responses.I am going to purchase a Hakko also. An original one. (Eventually)What a great resource to come back to thanks again.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 07:32:31 pm
content: Quote from: xavier60 on June 14, 2025, 11:10:04 amThat was not on the Hakko website two days ago. I swear I am sure.I DID find it on anther site and thought it was a scam. Thank for the link. (I swear it was not on the official website) Or I"m stupid. I even scam checked the website selling it and it came up as being suspect.I can see your url iswww.hakko.com. (Official)I'm going to have to get a second job.Gotta get one of these now.This is an expensive hobby.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 07:39:08 pm
content: Quote from: nikolatesla on June 14, 2025, 02:43:59 pmSounds like a great clone unit if you have two of them. Thanks I'll check them out.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 08:09:41 pm
content: Quote from: Old Printer on June 15, 2025, 11:41:44 amI have the analog FX-888 and it's UI sucks as well. I had to add a power-on LED, like Dave did. I used a 5mm RGB one, red=heat, blue=cool and a resistor. So you can glance at it and always know if it's turned on.

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 01:47:59 am
content: I see from a couple posts above Hako has a new version with a rotary encoder, that might be interesting. I have moved up to a FX-951 a few years ago, so I am probably good until the next life

author: gnat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 07:04:29 pm
content: I've been using an 888D for a few years now. It's been good. No issues and really no complaints. UI isn't great, but the unit performs reliably and well. Can't go wrong really.

author: Zero_Ego
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 10:20:08 pm
content: for all the replies.Hakko's for dummies question.If I want an original I purchase directly fromwww.hakko.comcorrect?I salute youall with gratitude.Many thanks.ZE.

author: geralds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2025, 10:43:40 pm
content: Have a look athttps://hakko.de/(assuming you are based in Germany). And I understand they are the sellers on amazon.de

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 08:57:13 am
content: Quote from: Zero_Ego on June 17, 2025, 10:20:08 pmI bought mine from the official UK distributor, and I recommend you do the same for your country. It's the only way to be certain you are not getting a fake.