Looking for a new soldering station

[spikerS]

So, it looks like the soldering iron on my station may have shit the bed. I can't get it to wake up and heat up. The smoke extractor and the hot air gun on the station work 100% fine though.

I could go get a new soldering iron off eBay for $26, but I am kinda thinking I may take this opportunity to find a smaller unit as I don't want to give up too much real estate on my work bench.

Anyone have any recommendations? I don't want to spend a lot on it, Maybe keep it around the 100-125 mark?

On the flip side, anyone interested in a soldering station?

:poosie:

[Maxx Mazda]

I was at Active Tech on 32nd the other day and they had an entire aisle devoted to soldering irons and stations. Models for every price point, from $25 and even some even into the $300-$400 dollar range! Didn't even think it was possible! I'm sure you'll be able to find the perfect setup there.

[v2kai]

Hakko 936

[legendboy]

I have a Hakko, I like it

[Crazyjoker77]

I've got a hakko fx888d which is great, as well as a 25$ 936D clone and even that is very good. I use a weller D650 for the real heavy stuff.

BUT if I didn't already have these and was looking for a new iron I would defiantly be looking at getting one of the induction heated ones.

After recently using one I'm very tempted to pick one up myself.(which means my hakkos might be up for sale) They defiantly have their advantages over the old tech. They heat up 2-4times faster and can do bigger jobs with less power since they cool down at a slower rate.

A few guys on an electronics forum I'm part of recently picked up these and are raving about them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252158258784?&rmvSB=true

They must be good because they are out of stock everywhere I've looked. Because they were out of stock I was looking at this guy but hes double the price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150704545277?rmvSB=true

[Heru-Farukon]

At work I use either an hakko or a Weller(old school but still works)

Could you just replace the iron portion or do you need a unit too?

Could take a look at what's in stock of the stores. I usually go to b&e electronics

[spikerS]

I can replace the iron, but to be honest, this thing takes up too much space on my station, i need to get some of it back.

[Heru-Farukon]

Originally posted by spikerS
I can replace the iron, but to be honest, this thing takes up too much space on my station, i need to get some of it back.

Iirc I saw a just the iron with a built in temperature range. Like it'should both portions in one.

So that's one way for it to be space efficient

Sort like this

http://www.maxamps.com/prodimages/Soldering%20Iron.JPG

[The_Penguin]

I have a Hakko 936, an 808 and a really old Weller WTCP I bought new in the late 70s.

I htink the Hakko 888 is a good choice for a reasonable budget station.

[The_Penguin]

Originally posted by Crazyjoker77

A few guys on an electronics forum I'm part of recently picked up these and are raving about them.



Which forum? A couple forums I'm on rave about Metcal and JBC, not that they are budget friendly.