I bought one of the Chinese copies of the hakko soldering stations, it didn't see the first day out :(
Printable View
I used to love Weller stations. The one I used for years died. The next two didn't didn't survive a year between them. That's what finally pushed me to the Hakko.
I never use lead free solder. There are people that do board work with a gun. Having a nice tool makes it easier, but practice makes you good at it.
Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
Yep
Practice, a clean 2-3mm chisel tip at the right temperature and .5mm leaded solder
That's where I ended up after years of trial and error.
Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
Another vote to stay with Weller, spares will always be ready available.
After much consideration I purchased the hakko 888d , I had a go at tinning the ends of some klotz mc5000 wires, set temp to 250c and I managed to
do this without melting the insulation which has been a problem in the past unless ive used wire with ptfe insulation , this has put me off making interconnects , hopefully with a bit practice I can improve . phil.
Solid choice
What tips did you buy?
Last week I was reading some good reviews on the Antex 50w TCS variable and beginning to think about giving it a go.
Lusted after a decent Weller station for years.
Always thinking that I don't /won't do enough solder melting to bother/need one.
So I keep using my 45 yr old Weller Craftsman 25 watt pencil. Last week had to solder some TINY smd bits: an IC, resistors and Leds about the size of a speck of Dandruff onto an 8mm square PCB.
Had to use 2 pair of glasses and a light/work lens just to see the damned things. A tough slog.
Weller worked Fine though.. Fairly neat job of it too... mercifully.