It’s time to replace my 45 year old Weller soldering station. Any suggestions? I do both through hole and surface mount. I’m looking for a quality tool, not a cheap one.

 

I am very happy with my Hakko FX-951 and a good selection of tips. The very fine ones are brilliant for SMD and the widest chisel type can really get some heat into big floods.

It seems to be an excellent value.

Alternatively, check out Hakko compatible KSGER stations which are cheaper and quite good. There are a lot of versions, so be sure to find the one that doesn't use a screw-on collar which reduces the utility of Hakko tips which can be quick changed.

 

I am very happy with my Hakko FX-951 and a good selection of tips. .

As Dave would say, beware of rip offs!

Max.

 

Soldering requirements have gotten complicated over the years.

Tin/lead solder requires 700°F.
Lead free solder requires 800°F

For through hole I use a 0.031" tip. For SMD I use 0.015" tip.
Plan for flexibility. Make sure you can set the temperature and change the tip. Or get two soldering irons.

 

I am very happy with my Hakko FX-951 and a good selection of tips. The very fine ones are brilliant for SMD and the widest chisel type can really get some heat into big floods.

It seems to be an excellent value.

Alternatively, check out Hakko compatible KSGER stations which are cheaper and quite good. There are a lot of versions, so be sure to find the one that doesn't use a screw-on collar which reduces the utility of Hakko tips which can be quick changed.

Is this KSGER you mentioned?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/gr...002.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.588d6238mEgTXC

 

As Dave would say, beware of rip offs!

Max.

Yes, make suer you get a real Hakko, the copies aren't good.

 

Is this KSGER you mentioned?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/gr...002.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.588d6238mEgTXC

This is the specific incarnation: https://www.banggood.com/KSGER-V2_1...p-1338117.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=USA

You will need to buy tips, and you can get genuine Hakko T12 tips which are much better. I would recommend the D series that are screwdriver-tipped, and maybe a C1 for tiny work.

 

It’s time to replace my 45 year old Weller soldering station.

Repair isn't an option? The heating element in my 40 year old Weller went out and I bought a replacement heating element on eBay.

 

Recently I have been using the 9020-xts and 4040 from xtronics .They are pretty low priced and good quality. Not sure if they are still making the 9020 tho which is a shame.
https://xtronicusa.com/

 

Look into a station that comes equipped with a hot air gun. That is a must have option for surface mount. I use mine (a "ripoff") very often.

 

All very good recs...I'll add the Pace ADS200 is also a very nice unit. Heats up very quickly and a great selection of tips.
Also, Pace after sales support is top notch.

 

After 25 years I dropped my Weller power supply and it died. I ended up getting a Hakko, I wasn’t sure about them at first they look a little like a toy, bright blue and yellow but it’s been excellent with about 5 years on it now.

I recently got a 858D hot air station for about $30 listening to suggestions from this forum... works great. Warms up fast and very nice. There are some decent and inexpensive hot air / soldering stations on Amazon if you search.

 

All very good recs...I'll add the Pace ADS200 is also a very nice unit. Heats up very quickly and a great selection of tips.
Also, Pace after sales support is top notch.

Pace is excellent, but pricey. If you are not going to be using it constantly you probably won't be able to get your money's worth.

Hakko is a step down in price, so I personally like that cost-benefit for someone willing to invest, it is still not cheap.

The KSGER and similar things are offering new, CHEAP, high value options.

Pace, Metcal, JBC, and the like are really brilliant kit but the price puts them out of reach for most.

 

I have read that ANY soldering station below 100 USD is imminently garbage thus I bought Scotle for 99,99. Its half garbage, but anyway serves a many years already and well. However, if to take in consideration that exists a two soldering schools then exists a two soldering hammer principles. One is using lead wire and no flux at all, where hammer tip is never wetted and may not be touched with any abrasive. Other is using a better or not so good hammered copper what must become well wetted and work with plenty of flux, where the lead is taken and forwarded by hammer tip. First hammers cost over 100 USD if good, other cost 3 USD if good, however sometimes even at 1.5 USD it had been seen. The quality of joint and particularly accuracy without of discussion is better if done by second method, the speed of mounting is many times better and, as see, the overall pricing too is better. Only the bad thing, after soldering the pcb must be washed in solvent of choice.
The hot air section is the play only. For serious jobs the risk to eveheat IC is hardly too high. And with thin-end normal hammer the all joints will be done far more accurate even for 500-feet IC except those having joints in the middle beyound the body (as CPU)

 

Everybody has their own brand of irons, choose wisely if you're going to use it every day then get a good quality one, otherwise get what you can afford and will do the job.. I have the Csi 75D.


http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/soldering/soldering-stations/

 

I have read that ANY soldering station below 100 USD is imminently garbage.....

The hot air section is the play only. For serious jobs the risk to eveheat IC is hardly too high. And with thin-end normal hammer the all joints will be done far more accurate even for 500-feet IC except those having joints in the middle beyound the body (as CPU)

I think the tips are the biggest problem with most cheap irons. If you just replace the tips with quality ones you will see a major improvement. The $50 898D works great with a good tip. The biggest problem with the cheap tools in my experience has been longevity.

Hot air is for play? I'd have to disagree there. Hot air is essential in re-work.

 

The switch from tips that slide over heaters to integrated heater technology was an important one. Today, buying a new iron, you should really be looking at integrated heaters. They heat faster, hold the temperature better, and can produce more heat per watt at the tip.

 

You can't beat the old ways!
Does a whole SMT board in one shot!



Max.

 

You can't beat the old ways!
Does a whole SMT board in one shot!

View attachment 177805

Max.

Perfect

 

Gives a new meaning to "burn in"