Looking for recommendations on soldering/desoldering station for work - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 03:35:45 pm
content: Hi All,I am a new member (although I have been visiting these forums for a while). My boss at work gave me the green light to purchase a new soldering station. I wanted to get a recommendation from others that have used/are using professional equipment.My background:I only have hobby level experience dealing with PCBs (I have designed a few of my own PCBs and performed assembly using a self-made reflow oven (converted toaster oven) and hakko fx-888d). I develop software for controls algorithms and have degrees that focus on mechanical and controls engineering.Work needs:I need to solder and sometimes de-solder motor terminals to through hole slots. The motor phase terminals are pretty large (let's say 6-8 mm width). The multi-phase motor sees peak currents of 80A. Hopefully that gives you an idea of terminal size.My group has a decent soldering iron: MX-PS5000 which is a two port output 80W per channel soldering station.I suspect that I need at least a 150W soldering station. That is what our over-seas group uses.We are located in the USA (so the iron needs to work with US standard power plugs).I also would like to be able to de-solder those massive terminals in the event we need to disassemble the ECU from motor. I assume this cannot be done using a hand suction tool? Any recommendations on how the pros do it?Cost - not sure, I estimate 500-1,000 USD.Usage Frequency - low, for prototype builds (~2-4 ECUs). No production usageAlso, if you guys have any recommendations (videos or guides) on professional soldering methods for large through hole tabs, please let me know. Due to IC shortage, we need to be able to keep these ECUs safe and repair them if necessary.Thank you!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 09:38:59 pm
content: Do you have a large tip you can try with the PS5000? eg STTC-165 or STTC-865, you can get one on amazon for $20.There is the- FM-2030:https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fm2030.html- FX-801:https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx801_feature.html- Or old school 557:https://www.tequipment.net/Hakko/557/Soldering-Irons/Photo of the terminals would help.

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2022, 04:58:17 pm
content: Thank you for your helpful response. We do not have large tips to try. I will be ordering a new set of tips, so I will try and include those two in our purchase.Your suggestion for using Hakko 557 is really good. It is hard to believe that the solution can be had for 55$. Frankly, we have 6 large terminals to solder. The remaining soldering work is low power.That 300W FX-801 looks great, but might be over-kill and only used for rare heavy-duty work. Also, since we are not experts at soldering, there is a chance 300W might cause more damage than help.What about Weller WX Soldering tools?https://www.weller-tools.com/professional/USA/us/Professional/Product+lines/WX+Line/Soldering+stations+and+setsThey seem to sell a 200W solution. I am trying to understand why I would need a 2-channel version versus 1 channel. They both seem to have the ability to use the same irons and tweezers.Do you have any recommendations for a Weller product? Ideally something we could use for everything (low power soldering/desoldering and occasional heavy duty soldering/desoldering). They key thing I want to emphasize is that we are not professionals at soldering, so I want to get a tool that helps us achieve good results when skill is lacking (I say that with caution).I cannot post pictures of the terminals due to restrictions at work.Thank you again for your help.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2022, 10:38:34 pm
content: The Weller station is 200W, but the handle is not capable of 200W.I can't personally recommend anything from them.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 10:34:48 pm
content: If you only occasionally need to perform low-volume heavy-duty work, I would recommend a Hexacon stick iron. These folks have been in the business forever, support everything they have ever made, and parts are easily and inexpensively available. And they make a very reliable and high quality product. Made in USA, and a model for what you are describing would go for under two hundred buck.My suggestion would be something in their Powerhouse Irons or Heavy Duty Plug Tip Irons ranges, likely a P35 or a P115. Lots of wattage and tip choices are available.https://www.hexaconelectric.com/soldering-ironsFor your remaining low power work, I'd go with a Hakko FX-951.Weller is best avoided.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2022, 12:30:14 pm
content: I really like my Hakko FM-206, works great and does the job, even if the fan is a little loud.Not the power you need, but I have rarely hit its limits.

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2022, 03:42:01 pm
content: I did not realize Weller was not a top brand. I won't go with that WX unit based off your feedbacks. Thank you.I really like the FM-206. It looks like they sell a 140W iron as an option. Also, it turns out our overseas location uses the FX-838. That unit is rated 150W. It does not look like FX-838 is available in the USA.What are the disadvantages or caveats when going with these 200-300$ irons (Hexacon or the 50 dollar Hakko 557)? Here are a few guesses:Not ESD safe? If I am careful to use a grounded soldering mat, and wear a ground strap, only solder motor terminals to PCB (which has ESD sensitive components on it), is it necessary to enforce the need for ESD safe iron?Heat up time can be 5-10 minutes or greater.Not clear what temperature the tips reach. They seem to be calibrated by mass and power.To prevent risk of damaging PCB (we cannot afford to lose any), it looks like I would need to buy a temperature controller and a tip temperature measurement tool?If my power requirements are around 150W. Perhaps the FM-206 is the best option? That unit has the potential to replace our Metcal, and later accommodate additional accessories.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2022, 10:49:38 pm
content: ESD safety may depend on your companies production ESD requirements. Since the 557/etc has no earth connection you could run one to one of the screws on the tip. It does look like some power limiting might be needed.https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_matchless_spec.htmlThe Hexacone irons linked above say they use a 3 pin cable.I wouldn't replace the Metcal with the FM-206 personally. But yeah it has lots of options for ports.Did you try the big tip yet.

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 02:53:18 am
content: I tried a knife tip on the metcal along with a large tip on my hakko fx 888d to solder one of the capacitor leads (which is much smaller than the motor phase terminal). I haven't purchased new tips for the metcal yet.I failed to solder it. I couldn't get enough heat to get the solder to adhere to the pad. I suspect I tried the lead with a ground plane. I didn't help the situation by using lead free solder.Long story short, I need more power for tasks beyond the 6 phase terminals. So usage is going to be more frequent.I'm curious as to why there is a strong recommendation against the 200W weller? Or weller in general.I'm basically looking to get equivalent or slightly better than fx-838 used by our colleagues over seas. It doesn't look like 838 is available in the USA. Please help because I'm overwhelmed by the options and choices.Thank you.

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 04:22:22 pm
content: I ended up buying an Aixun T3A with T245 handle for personal use. I then ordered about 200$ worth of tips directly from JBC:C245760 Cartridge Pin/Connector Ø 3.5C245903 Cartridge Conical Ø 1.0 S1C245966 Cartridge Chisel 6.6 x 1.8 HTC245406 Cartridge Chisel 1.2 x 0.7 HTC245811 Cartridge Chisel 3.2 x 1.2 LThe 3.2mm chisel should work for those capacitor leads which are about 2.5 mm wide. And I will try the 6.6 mm wide chisel on the motor leads.If this iron works well, then I will ask work to buy a genuine JBC DIU or DDU and pay for some of the tips. Otherwise, I will keep the tips for personal use along with the T3A.https://www.jbctools.com/control-units-category-6.htmlI am still open to your recommendations for a station. It looks like JBC with T245 is quite popular. Perhaps a DIU or DDU with T470 handle? The T470 is compatible with T245 tips.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 11:28:34 pm
content: I don't expect the Aixun to be any more capable than the Metcal. Good for personal use though.T470 would be the heavy duty option, which would be paired with the 250W HD station.https://www.jbctools.com/t470f-thermal-insulator-grip-hd-handle-product-126.htmlInteresting that it is compatibleQuote

author: agarg
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 11:42:32 pm
content: Is the reason why you don't expect better performance from 200W peak Aixun vs 80W peak PS5000, based off a high probability that I won't draw more than 50-60W to accomplish my task? Or possibly due to the hand piece's power limit?Reading through this board, the Metcal is well regarded by most people here. Which means my failure to solder a certain joint is probably user inexperience along with really poor condition tips.I will try the Aixun and report back. I might try and post carefully redacted pictures of my attempts if I am unable to successfully solder those caps. Sorry for the lack of details regarding what I am trying to solder.Thank you, thm_w (and others!) for your responses to all of my questions.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2022, 12:05:57 am
content: 200W is a bit of an advertising figure, of the power supply inside the unit.The T245 tip is capable of something around 130W peak. Although some people have reported higher. But I've not actually seen some video of anyone soldering and reaching that.The C245966 6.6mm tip would probably give the best chance of reaching, so will be interesting if you try it.What tip are you using for the Metcal, its the correct temperature right?STTC-036 = 675°F (leaded)STTC-136 = 775°F (lead free)

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2022, 03:17:46 am
content: I have a Weller PU81 station wit matching Iron and I don't like it at all.It looked great when I bought it, and most of it is solidly made, but it has very small tips which are pressed against the front of the iron, and held in place with a stainless tube.... and when the iron heats up, the tube expands and the tip becomes loose.I had some doubts about this, but unfortunately I thought I could rely on weller's reputation.Never again.For hobby use I like the T12 Hakko clones.For something really good, I would have a serious look at JBC.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2022, 07:15:26 pm
content: We switched over to Pace systems, very happy. I used a Hakko desoldering "tool" for a while, but it was a PITA to keep clean. The Pace system, and the disposable solder wells, just works well.Not the cheapest, but very happy with them for both soldering and desoldering.

author: vstrulev
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2022, 01:30:10 am
content: Quote from: agarg on March 02, 2022, 03:35:45 pmGood day. I've posted earlier in another thread, but will post here as well. My two cents here. I have few soldering stations including two Hakko stations, one of which mentioned in this thread. No one of them satisfied my needs and I was moving up and up until I pulled the plug and got a good one. I end up buying the Weller WX2020, which is two channel station, with two soldering irons: 120W and 200W and later I've bought the Weller tweezers as well. If I start from very beginning, I would just buy that Weller with all the above mentioned irons/tweezers and forget the rest (an old saying: buy once, cry once). I'm totally satisfied and able to do anything with it. Sometimes I solder heavy gauge wires (4GA) and shank terminals to the 2.4mm pcb with large copper polygons. When I touch the wire with the tip of my 200W soldering iron, everything is sizzling and soldering perfect. I think you will like the option for your motor solderin, you've mentioned. The Weller is able to handle it all. I understand this is an expensive tool, but if you do work/rework/assemby, good tool is a must. So final thought: all my soldering stations together cost about the same if not more than that Weller and instead of having the table filled with all different station, have just one capable of anything.

author: vstrulev
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2022, 01:32:13 am
content: Quote from: agarg on March 04, 2022, 04:58:17 pmI have the two channel with 200w and 100w soldering irons and their tweezers. It's all you need for a soldering station. See my other response in this thread as well