Good, under $150 hot air rework station? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 03:06:47 am
content: I'm sick of having to remove smd devices very slowly and carefully by hand.I don't need a station with too many bells and whistles, just a hot air gun that possibly comes with some nozzles and convenient removing tools (such as the ones I've seen with a long pitchfork type tool and suction cup). I've seen the Aoyue 968A+ SMD and heard good and bad things, it also has more than I need really.Anything else out there I should consider?

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 03:35:40 am
content: Hmm, I'm very close to ordering an Atten/Youyoue/TBI 858D+, but I'll wait for the replies here.

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 04:47:56 am
content: I'd buy the 858 again if I had to...but only after a good internal inspection.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 05:23:37 am
content: I like my Yihua 858D, it gets a lot of use not just for solder reflow. It didn't have the QC problems some of the others seem to have.

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 06:17:52 am
content: Why are there so many 858D's under different brands? Is it OEM? Is one brand better than the other? Or are these clones?EDIT:After reading the threads on the build quality on the 858D's, I'm not even gonna consider that thing.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 01:50:27 pm
content: Ah, come on. What would life be without a little danger?I like the fact that there's a custom firmware for the 858 (might be only for the Youyoue, don't know if the other variants use an ATMega8). Plus, it's only 38 Eurobucks including shipping.The construction doesn't look that bad in the video:And that one innocent little wire mix-upcould probably happen just as well in a $150 Chinese station.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 03:09:14 pm
content: Ah, come on. What would life be without a little danger?I can and regularly do damage to myself with perfectly working equipment and toolsI really don't need any help!!!

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 04:59:33 pm
content: I think I'm just gonna go ahead and say "screw it" and get a Hakko FR-80x. I got a FX-888D, and a Hakko 808 and love them, they're quality stuff, so I'll just get their hot air rework as well. I'll just put off buying the signal gen I wanted as I don't have an immediate use for that at the moment.What's the differences between the FR801, FR802, and FR803? I know the 803 has a keylock to prevent others, but not really necessary for me. Anyone wanna give the gist of the different models as I do research as well? Thanks.Seems the FR801 is analogFR802 is digital with a temperature sensor, lockout key, and auto cool down.The FR803 has the keylock, auto cool down, vacuum pump, and air dwell time display.Looks like I'll probably be grabbing the FR802 or FR801.

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 08:05:09 pm
content: Is there some specific name for the suction cup tool used to grab ic's? Figure'd I might as well pick one of those up also.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 08:12:40 pm
content: I have the FR802 and sometimes wish I had analog controls (just easier to switch temps around). The FR802might(big might there) also have presets, but I haven't had the time to figure them out, (I honestly don't know if they exist). I know the FR803 has programmable reflow profiles (like 300C for 30 seconds, up to 400C for 20 seconds, up to 450C for 10 seconds, then cool down). Plus the vacuum function (only compatible with some nozzles).The FR80x series can usually be found for pretty fair prices on eBay, just the other day an FR802 went for $250.As for vacuum suckers there are dedicated vacuum pumps (electronic), or just hand operated ones. Search SMD vacuum on eBay and you'll get a few.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 08:51:33 pm
content: Quote from: Pasky on February 23, 2014, 08:05:09 pmI take it you mean these.http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R8.TR11.TRC2.A0.H0.Xvaccume+p&_nkw=vacuum+pen&_sacat=0&_from=R40

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 08:52:31 pm
content: Ya, I'm leaning towards the analog version after seeing the Hakko video of all 3. There really isn't anything I need from the digital versions, although the built in vacuum on the 803 seems really nice, but not $1000+ nice.I'll see if i can find some of those SMD suction cups then. I'm not really interested in a used unit though, Tequipment has the 801 for $593 and with the 6% discount it's $557. Having a warranty and knowing someone didn't mess with the temperature calibration is worth the extra cost for me. Thanks for the comments and help!

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 08:58:33 pm
content: Quote from: Pasky on February 23, 2014, 08:52:31 pmDoes the 801 even have a temp scale or is it all relative?

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 09:04:39 pm
content: Appears to be relative.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2014, 09:51:53 pm
content: Quote from: Pasky on February 23, 2014, 09:04:39 pmThat's what I thought. Anyways, harder to tell what temp it's at but you could I guess just map out the temp range against the dial marks. Still, enjoy the station, they work great!

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 03:39:59 am
content: Do you happen to know a good place for tips/nozzles? I was looking at the official Hakko ones and most are in the $150+ Range O_O. I guess that's where they make all their money.Are there any other brands that fit on there that can do the same job?

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 03:51:48 am
content: Getting up there in price have a look at the Honton rework station if you want to spend. Yes I know the shipping is 300 bucks but it is nice. Then get a cheapo for the hand stuff. Don't forget if you are serious about hot air you really need a preheater and a station like the Honton has it. The 220 volt version has a vac pump as well.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HONTON-BGA-Rework-Station-HT-R392-White-Black-220V-or-110V-For-E-U-Tax-Free-/321318137723?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad00daf7b

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:50:16 am
content: Quote from: Pasky on February 24, 2014, 03:39:59 amI usetheseon mine. They fit fine, it's a bit hard to get them on there quickly but they do fit. Haven't had any use for the smallest one yet, but they're really cheap. Might be better to getthis setthen because it has a square nozzle and leaves out the smallest one.

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 01:07:12 am
content: Thanks a lot, already ordered it (FR-801). I'll grab some nozzles as well.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 03:22:17 am
content: Congrats! Hope you enjoy it.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 03:27:58 am
content: Quote from: Pasky on February 25, 2014, 01:07:12 amThat's a nice one. Good choice.Edit: Got today a used Hakko 850. The Atten clone is going back to Amazon, it's a very nice product but the internal ground path looks very unsafe to me.

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 06:19:52 am
content: Just got it today. Played around and I've never gotten a SMD chip off so easily. They just slide off like butter now. It's a great rework station, it gets to temperature in seconds. The only downside is the nozzle holder it comes with is almost worthless. It has no stability at all.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2014, 04:47:55 pm
content: Quote from: Pasky on March 01, 2014, 06:19:52 amI am using this with my Hakko 850. Holds well and good construction.http://r.ebay.com/bxfLi4