What soldering iron - Page 2

agold · 11th October 2012, 01:47 PM

I'm in the US

tinitus · 11th October 2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agold

I'm in the US

ah, maybe the fine little hakko suggested above then

5th element · 11th October 2012, 03:02 PM

I was going to suggest a second hand Metcal as these can be had quite reasonably, wonderful soldering irons.

rsavas · 11th October 2012, 03:30 PM

Hako936 is a good unit. If you can afford temp control, it is a bonus!!

agold · 12th October 2012, 04:07 PM

Even though the Metcal seems great, it is a bit more than what I want to spend right now. So it comes down to the WES51 or the Hakko FX888, which are both ~$80 USD new. Any clear winner among these two?

5th element · 12th October 2012, 04:39 PM

I got my Metcal 2nd hand for about that much. I'm not sure how often they appear, but there's certainly more turn over and selection in the US, where are you located?

tinitus · 12th October 2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agold

Any clear winner among these two?

check if its easy to get new tips, and their prices

I see the Weller have automatic shut off
that is really very good to have, in case you forget
and when it happens, your tip is worthless
auto shut off gives at least one point

agold · 12th October 2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th element

where are you located?

I'm in NY. I will shop around a bit and see if I find something reasonable

Salas · 12th October 2012, 05:35 PM

Prefer Hakko FX888 when in US for price to performance ratio and abundant spares sources. Also a much better tray than the 51. Too expensive in Europe unfortunately, steps in ERSA Icon Nano and OKI Metcal PS-900 territory. New Weller models don't seem to build a good rep among experienced users lately.

disfunctionalshadow · 12th October 2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salas

New Weller models don't seem to build a good rep among experienced users lately.

That's sad. I've had my Weller analog soldering station for about a decade now and it's quite nice. Back in the early '90s I used dual Weller stations - through hole and SMD, as well as Metcal.

From a usability perspective of a production line worker, the Weller was much better. Those that could afford to mess with all the Metcal tips (Eng. techs and Engineers) they greatly liked them. But I found they didn't handle some tasks as well as a basic Weller soldering station.

Still a sad day when Weller drops the ball...

11th October 2012, 03:02 PM	#13
5th element diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: England	I was going to suggest a second hand Metcal as these can be had quite reasonably, wonderful soldering irons. __________________ What the hell are you screamin' for? Every five minutes there's a bomb or somethin'! I'm leavin! bzzzz! Droggon Attack!

12th October 2012, 04:39 PM	#16
5th element diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: England	I got my Metcal 2nd hand for about that much. I'm not sure how often they appear, but there's certainly more turn over and selection in the US, where are you located? __________________ What the hell are you screamin' for? Every five minutes there's a bomb or somethin'! I'm leavin! bzzzz! Droggon Attack!

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11th October 2012, 01:47 PM	#11
agold diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2012	I'm in the US

11th October 2012, 03:30 PM	#14
rsavas diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ontario	Hako936 is a good unit. If you can afford temp control, it is a bonus!!

12th October 2012, 04:07 PM	#15
agold diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2012	Even though the Metcal seems great, it is a bit more than what I want to spend right now. So it comes down to the WES51 or the Hakko FX888, which are both ~$80 USD new. Any clear winner among these two?

12th October 2012, 05:35 PM	#19
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	Prefer Hakko FX888 when in US for price to performance ratio and abundant spares sources. Also a much better tray than the 51. Too expensive in Europe unfortunately, steps in ERSA Icon Nano and OKI Metcal PS-900 territory. New Weller models don't seem to build a good rep among experienced users lately.