Soldering Stations (Again)

[italianguy63]

Hey Guys... Santa is coming soon.  I think I may rate a new soldering station.

Actually, I use a Weller Pencil, and although I like it, the connection between the tip and handle wears out over time.  Probably because have a habit of rapping the tip to remove the slagged solder from time to time.

The replacement pencils are like $35, and the tips like $15.. and I know I have replaced them enough over the last year that I should have just purchased a solder station.  Well, it still is not too late.

I've browsed the archives, and see the same cast of characters pretty often.  I see Hakko/Yihau/Off brand 936/937 (digital) mentioned often.  I also see some of the off brand have the pencils (5) pins/sockets reversed.  I also see the Hakko FX888D is the modern replacement.  I am leaning towards the FX888...

Anyone want to chime in... on experience, parts, tips, quality, price, etc?

MC

[karbomusic]

I use a WES51 but I don't whack the tip. I also tried one of the cheapo Chinese soldering stations as a backup and it basically went into the trash the next day because it was of such poor quality it couldn't even function as a backup. I'm sure some of the others are fine but the disparity between Weller and the one I tried was so large I was pretty much done at that point.

[stevie1556]

Forgive the bad photo, it was taken in a dark room. It's a cheap Chinese one off eBay, I think it was around £75. Absolutely amazing soldering station, never had any problems with it (been using it for around year now), and the soldering iron has variable temp, and the hot air soldering gun has variable temp and air speed (I love doing SMD boards).

[BubbaFet]

I'm really thrilled with the $40 Stahl Tools 'ESD-Safe Temperature-Controlled' Stahl Tools soldering station
from PartsExpress (#374-200)...http://www.parts-express.com/stahl-tools-tcss-temp-controlled-soldering-station-esd-safe--374-200

[JFace]

I can vouch for the WES51. Great quality, good features, decent price.

[davent]

I can vouch for the WES51. Great quality, good features, decent price.

Been very pleased with mine, had it for quite a few years now. When i purchased i was looking at the similarily priced Hakko, what it came down to for me was i could get a wide variety of replacement tips for the Weller from a number of vendors i regularily deal with including a local brick and mortar where as with the Hakko i'd be scrambling to find tips.

I've only read good things about the Hakko, if i had easy access to tips i probably would have bought it.

[scratch]

I second the WES51, has yet to show any erosion on the tips ...

[italianguy63]

I guess the WESD51 is the digital version, otherwise the same?

Does anybody use a Hakko 937?  Or one of the Hakko 937 clones?

I'm reading the quality of the newer Weller products has suffered.  Anybody have and recent experience there?

I'm kind of between the WESD51, Hakko 937 or Hakko FX888D at this point.

Don't need the SMD stuff.  That would take this old man down yet another bad path.

MC

[vigilante397]

I guess the WESD51 is the digital version, otherwise the same?

Correct. I actually got the WESD51 for Christmas last year from my electrical engineer father, and it is easily the gift I use more than any other, and I have no complaints about it. I'm not saying it will change the world with soldering innovation, but it does the job well and in a very convenient manner. The main thing I enjoy compared to the Weller stations at school is that the iron is very thin and comfortable to hold in tight spaces (like 1590A's).

[karbomusic]

I guess the WESD51 is the digital version, otherwise the same?

Correct. I actually got the WESD51 for...

Yep mine is the D version but I forgot to type the D. 

[njkmonty]

i have the Hakko FX888D  and very happy i bought it! 

[Groovenut]

I use a Weber SS-1 for amps (https://taweber.powweb.com/amptechtools/solder.htm) and the Circuit Specialists 60 watt for pedals (http://www.circuitspecialists.com/station-60.html) as it comes with a very nice fine point tip and replacement ceramic heating element. I have the original base for the Weber and have replaced the wand three times, each one lasting about 2-3 years of 4-6 hour per day use.

[J0K3RX]

I guess the WESD51 is the digital version, otherwise the same?

Does anybody use a Hakko 937?  Or one of the Hakko 937 clones?

I'm reading the quality of the newer Weller products has suffered.  Anybody have and recent experience there?

I'm kind of between the WESD51, Hakko 937 or Hakko FX888D at this point.

Don't need the SMD stuff.  That would take this old man down yet another bad path.

MC

I have a hakko 937, 936 and a couple other expensive units but, I just use the 936 all of the time... I have had it for over 10 years, rock solid, small and no hastles! I keep reading on here about people going through tips crazy fast like a week or even a couple days? WTF? There must be something terribly wrong or the tips people are buying are pure garbage or something! I have had the tip that is on my iron right now for over a year and is still perfectly fine! I even left my iron (936) on for a couple days straight on almost max heat and still just like it was before... By the way.. I solder A LOT!!

[GGBB]

Extremely happy with my Hakko FX888D.

[antonis]

I'm reading the quality of the newer Weller products has suffered.  Anybody have and recent experience there?

My - strictly personal - opinion is that Weller's last "quality" station was the EC2002..
(I keep using it for more than 10 years with absolutely NO problem..)

[italianguy63]

Thanks everybody--

I am going to go with the Hakko FX888D.  Thanks Santa!!

MC

[italianguy63]

I've had a couple weeks to work with the Hakko -- just reporting in that it is pretty stellar, and put together nicely.  The pencil has a good feel too...



MC