ambientmind
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 8, 2007
- Messages
- 465
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501
even better...and tips are cheaper there too!
I need a new soldering iron
- Thread starter ambientmind
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
even better...and tips are cheaper there too!
1dash1
Enlightened
Ambientmind:
I tried them before. They only ship UPS, which is too expensive for me. :mecry:
.
I tried them before. They only ship UPS, which is too expensive for me. :mecry:
.
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GarageBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Cool, Cy uses a WTCP too
Www.techni-tool.com one of my favorite dealers
Www.techni-tool.com one of my favorite dealers
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Probedude
Enlightened
I love my Metcal MX500, with the exception of tip life is pretty poor. I only get about a month out of them. Ironically my previous iron is a Weller WTCP and those tips last forever! I still fire it up now and again when I need to use the 'chopsticks' method of removing SMT parts.
For those ever in the market for a desoldering gun, I've used Metcal, Pace, the cheap Radio Shack solder sucker, solderput, etc and finally found THE BEST desoldering gun ever. Inexpensive too. The Hakko 808, street price is ~ $165.
Thanks for the tip! I've seen some Metcals....
How about hot air stations? I've been looking at the Madell 8502. It's inexpensive & has a soldering station built in too. Some of their products look like copies or rebranded Hakko. Looks like my Hakko 907 iron will plug right into it. We use these 8502s at my work & they seen to work fine.
koala
Flashlight Enthusiast
Metcal tips are not cheap, plus soldering temperature is not directly adjustable. The temperature is tip dependent. The MX500 is still a very hightech piece of equipment. They come up for sale on ebay once a while.
Try JBC if you are feeling really rich.
Some Madell stuff are overpriced, afterall they are just clones of clones. You should not pay more than $150 for a dual ended 360W soldering rework station. Try looking for KADA brand, same sheet different name. If you plan to solder bigger bga chips like motherboard chipset you will need more than 500W. Otherwise, 360W is fine for smaller chips like mobile phones, and ok for CREE reflow. Just keep the air flow low or else little parts will start flying all over the place once the solder melts.
I use a 700W unit myself. The fan is built into the handle piece so you don't maneuver an air hose around. You don't have to worry about the hose breaking and losing air pressure. This is common problem with clones. It's actually quite light too. The brushless fan doesn't sound very good, it sounds unwilling and quiet but the air flow is surprisingly high. It works pretty well, just like my clothes iron, the heater turns on only when required and the unit auto standby as soon as you return it to the holder. Mine comes with three different size nozzle attachment.
If you plan to spend more than $400, then infrared station is a better choice, a little overkill for a home tool.
Please note, Hakko stuff is never rebranded. Call HakkoUSA customer service to find out yourself.
Try JBC if you are feeling really rich.
Some Madell stuff are overpriced, afterall they are just clones of clones. You should not pay more than $150 for a dual ended 360W soldering rework station. Try looking for KADA brand, same sheet different name. If you plan to solder bigger bga chips like motherboard chipset you will need more than 500W. Otherwise, 360W is fine for smaller chips like mobile phones, and ok for CREE reflow. Just keep the air flow low or else little parts will start flying all over the place once the solder melts.
I use a 700W unit myself. The fan is built into the handle piece so you don't maneuver an air hose around. You don't have to worry about the hose breaking and losing air pressure. This is common problem with clones. It's actually quite light too. The brushless fan doesn't sound very good, it sounds unwilling and quiet but the air flow is surprisingly high. It works pretty well, just like my clothes iron, the heater turns on only when required and the unit auto standby as soon as you return it to the holder. Mine comes with three different size nozzle attachment.
If you plan to spend more than $400, then infrared station is a better choice, a little overkill for a home tool.
Please note, Hakko stuff is never rebranded. Call HakkoUSA customer service to find out yourself.
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ambientmind
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 8, 2007
- Messages
- 465
Just an update, I picked up the Xytronic and its great! I also got some extra tips for it so its really versatile. Its an amazing difference from a normal pencil iron. So thanks a lot for the suggestions here, I appreciate it!
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
OK...its time!.....actually WAY overdue.
Is the Hakko 936 better than the Xytronic?
They are both priced about the same, but the hakko seems easier to get tips for.
Any suggestions?...
Is the Hakko 936 better than the Xytronic?
They are both priced about the same, but the hakko seems easier to get tips for.
Any suggestions?...
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
No input from anyone huh?:shrug:
I never had a Xytronic station but I did use one of their adjustable irons for years when I worked as a mechanic at a race car shop. I currently use a Hakko 936 & I love it. I barely purchased mine last year (used a standard 15W Hakko iron previously) but I've been using the 936 at my current work for years. It's a great reliable iron that I would highly recommend.
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
Thank you Will!!!
Thats all I needed to hear!!
I completely trust your opinion:thumbsup:
I'll be ordering one tonight!
If you are looking to get a nice station on a budget, I would recommend checking out Circuit Specialists. I have been using a Circuit Specialists CSI station for over three years, and I love it. It is the analog version and is nearly identical to the Hakko 936. It may even be a rebranded Hakko made for CSI. I actually use Hakko tips in mine. I finally had to replace the wand in January, and the new version is even berrer than the original.
If you like a digital readout, they have those, too.
I also have a Xytronic station that I use for through hole work. It is a nice unit, but the available tips are not good for fine work. I would use it a lot more if I had finer tips.
Regardless of what you get, you need to order a tip cleaner. You'll never use a sponge again.
If you like a digital readout, they have those, too.
I also have a Xytronic station that I use for through hole work. It is a nice unit, but the available tips are not good for fine work. I would use it a lot more if I had finer tips.
Regardless of what you get, you need to order a tip cleaner. You'll never use a sponge again.
Tekno_Cowboy
Flashlight Enthusiast
I recently bought the Hakko 936, and I'm sure liking it.
@datiLED: I heard that tip cleaners of the type you listed can wear down tips faster. What's your opinion?
@datiLED: I heard that tip cleaners of the type you listed can wear down tips faster. What's your opinion?
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
Ordered the Hakko 936 last week after posting in this thread.
I also ordered a jewelers vise to make things a bit easier to solder.
Hopefully I will get them this coming week.
I can't believe I went as long as I did using the shitty soldering iron I had.
Any suggestions you guys have for better solder and what tips are a MUST to have?
I will be ordering several more tips on monday and would like to get some feedback before doing so.
Any help would be great!
Thanks in advance!:wave:
I also ordered a jewelers vise to make things a bit easier to solder.
Hopefully I will get them this coming week.
I can't believe I went as long as I did using the shitty soldering iron I had.
Any suggestions you guys have for better solder and what tips are a MUST to have?
I will be ordering several more tips on monday and would like to get some feedback before doing so.
Any help would be great!
Thanks in advance!:wave:
A bump for DaFABRICATAs question, and one of my own.
I have also decided to upgrade from my tiny cheep soldering iron.
And would welcome some advice about what to replace it with, baring in mind that I am in the UK.
The Hakko 936 seems highly recommended and would be my first choice I think, But what about the Hakko FX951 or the 937? Are they worth the extra?
I have also decided to upgrade from my tiny cheep soldering iron.
And would welcome some advice about what to replace it with, baring in mind that I am in the UK.
The Hakko 936 seems highly recommended and would be my first choice I think, But what about the Hakko FX951 or the 937? Are they worth the extra?
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DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just recieved the Hakko 936 last friday and LOVE IT!!!
I can not believe I went as long as I did with the crappy one I had before!
My soldering looks soooo much better and it does just an amazing job!
In fact I have been up all night modding!
I swapped the LUX V out of a Surefire L2 with a warm Seoul to be used on my L1, I made a sandwich using a SOB917 and Q3-5A Cree, I finished modding a members D-Mini with a P7, and cleaned up a few ugly solders on some past projects.
I LOVE THIS THING!!!
For the money, it ROCKS!
I can not believe I went as long as I did with the crappy one I had before!
My soldering looks soooo much better and it does just an amazing job!
In fact I have been up all night modding!
I swapped the LUX V out of a Surefire L2 with a warm Seoul to be used on my L1, I made a sandwich using a SOB917 and Q3-5A Cree, I finished modding a members D-Mini with a P7, and cleaned up a few ugly solders on some past projects.
I LOVE THIS THING!!!
For the money, it ROCKS!
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Tekno_Cowboy
Flashlight Enthusiast
63/37 solder is nice. I also like lead-free for some stuff.
