What Soldering Station to buy?

beam0 · March 25, 2018, 6:13am

IDK, he’s got 5 listings for them. | eBay

Smells bad to me. Like burning flux. :confounded:

everydaysurvivalgear · March 25, 2018, 11:40am

I got my hot air gun cheap under $20 from eBay. Same deal it said shipping from Sydney. These unit are some what bulky so they must ship a bunch here then reship from Sydney. All aliexpress seller charge around $50 just for shipping.

Also my hot air gun in not earthed and has exposed metal parts which is illegal here. Only thing stopping the heating element grounding in the metal nozzle is some mica sheet. I suspect this is why mine was so cheap.

ImA4Wheelr · March 25, 2018, 2:57pm

Appears the ads are for individual units. You can only buy one. I ordered one and now that ad is no longer listed. I've had one of these units for many years and regularly use the hot air side. The solder side not so much because it uses the A1232 heating element. I prefer A1231 heating elements because they are superior (heat up fast and control temp much better). Unfortunately, A1231's are not compatible with this unit. If the unit arrives, I'll compare the units to see what (if anything) needs to change to convert to 110v.

moderator007 · March 25, 2018, 3:16pm

I have bought and used several of the china solder stations and they work fine. But why not go ahead and spend a little more and move up to a 2 in 1 hot air solder station. Its some of the best money I have spent in this hobby. You will use the hot air a lot more than you think. Its very useful for pulling parts and reflowing. Makes reflowing leds simple. I bought one like this (mine was no name brand off ebay) several years ago and if it blew up today, I would order another today. I don’t see how I made it all those years without one. Makes modding so much easier.
https://www.amazon.com/F2C-862d-Soldering-Station-Display/dp/B013DQQ4XO

moderator007 · March 25, 2018, 5:50pm

Have you tried ebay.ca.

klrman · March 25, 2018, 5:58pm

I buy so many things off ebay and it never occurred to me to look for a soldering station, thanks for the reboot

beam0 · March 25, 2018, 11:16pm

ImA4Wheelr:

beam0:

klrman:

Yeah, I’m quick at deleting but you were even quicker this time around

Must be a scam, or, since the seller is from Canada, maybe he ordered the wrong one

at 220V and wants to offload it.

IDK, he’s got 5 listings for them. | eBay Smells bad to me. Like burning flux. :confounded:

Appears the ads are for individual units. You can only buy one. I ordered one and now that ad is no longer listed. I’ve had one of these units for many years and regularly use the hot air side. The solder side not so much because it uses the A1232 heating element. I prefer A1231 heating elements because they are superior (heat up fast and control temp much better). Unfortunately, A1231’s are not compatible with this unit. If the unit arrives, I’ll compare the units to see what (if anything) needs to change to convert to 110v.

Thanks for the info, good luck I hope you get it. All 5 are no longer listed, seller has nothing listed now.

beam0 · March 25, 2018, 11:20pm

Thanks for the info on the hot air gun, I want to learn reflow so it sounds like I should invest in the dual unit. I’ll have to see how it’s done with it, I guess you heat the underside of the mcpcb?

Also thanks for the link, I found it also on ebay for a little less.

beam0 · March 25, 2018, 11:31pm

Here’s the link for the one I’m looking at (USA customers): https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Soldering-Iron-Rework-Stations-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Desoldering-Welder-862D/162292444459?epid=922000661&hash=item25c9622d2b:g:O5QAAOSww3tY8YYK

Here’s the ones that ship to Canada: https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?\_from=R40&\_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XSoldering+862D.TRS0&\_nkw=Soldering+862D&\_sacat=0

moderator007 · March 26, 2018, 12:09am

This is the model I have except this one has the smoke extractor. Mines a 992d. Says ships to Canada, I have no idea the cost.
https://thelashop.com/products/4in1-smd-hot-air-rework-soldering-iron-station-fume-extractor?variant=45195773706
The 992d and 992da has push button controls except the hot air uses a dial.

beam0 · March 26, 2018, 1:00am

Found the 922d on ebay $68: YIHUA 862BD+ SMD ESD Safe 2 in 1 Multi-Function Hot Air Soldering Station for sale online | eBay

So the 862D+ should be about the same? (It’s $15 less):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Soldering-Iron-Rework-Stations-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Desoldering-Welder-862D/162292444459?epid=922000661&hash=item25c9622d2b:g:O5QAAOSww3tY8YYK

.

The fume extractor does sounds like a nice feature though. I assume it takes the smoke away and runs it through the fan, exhausting back into the room. Eliminating the smoke but not really the toxins? Or maybe the higher toxins are in the smoke?

922DA on ebay $91 Yescom 992DA LCD Display Rework Soldering Station - Blue (15SDS015-IHA992DA-06) for sale online | eBay

moderator007 · March 26, 2018, 1:31am

I didn’t feel that I needed the extractor because of the small stuff I was soldering and it looks like it would be in the way.
When I was doing my research on these I remembering there being a difference in watts at the iron. I think the one I choose the 992d had the higher watts ratting for the iron than some of the others. Might be to your advantage to research the models and see which one is rated the highest for the price your willing to pay. You can always turn the heat down but you can’t always turn it up higher than the max wattage. The higher the wattage iron will solder more massive stuff easier, like brass pills.

moderator007 · March 26, 2018, 1:43am

@kirman the 992d beam0 linked above says it shipps to Canada for $45 with a $67.90 buy it now price.

.
I found the link for the comparason between models. http://www.yihua-gz.com/Products.asp?sortid=266

klrman · March 26, 2018, 3:58am

Thanks moderator007, it looks like a good one. I'm a little concerned still as that ebay seller uses Fedex to ship which means after all fees, I'm still out almost $200 Canadian at the very least by the time it hits my door. Now that I know their units are good and you've had good experience with them, I will look out for flash sales on banggood etc and pick one up for sure!

beam0 · March 26, 2018, 4:51am

Looks like they both max at around 500 degrees, with the 922d a little less at 480.

Just noticed though the 922d has push button controls (separate buttons up-down) for the temp.
I think I’d prefer the single knob temp control on the 862D but I wonder if those push buttons would enable a more precise adjustment.

bmwsancho · March 26, 2018, 12:17pm

my hakko clone 936 is still up and running, for several years now. I did the metal shim mod (where you tighten the ceramic element) and it heats up quicker now.

moderator007 · March 26, 2018, 12:39pm

beam0:

moderator007:

I didn’t feel that I needed the extractor because of the small stuff I was soldering and it looks like it would be in the way.
When I was doing my research on these I remembering there being a difference in watts at the iron. I think the one I choose the 992d had the higher watts ratting for the iron than some of the others. Might be to your advantage to research the models and see which one is rated the highest for the price your willing to pay. You can always turn the heat down but you can’t always turn it up higher than the max wattage. The higher the wattage iron will solder more massive stuff easier, like brass pills.

Looks like they both max at around 500 degrees, with the 922d a little less at 480.

Just noticed though the 922d has push button controls (separate buttons up-down) for the temp.
I think I’d prefer the single knob temp control on the 862D but I wonder if those push buttons would enable a more precise adjustment.

The watts determines the amount of heat at the iron. For instance if you look at the 952d on bottom of that yihua link above, you’ll see the iron listed at 45watts. The 992d is listed at 75watts. I think the 952d is the older model. Anything at or above 75 watts at the iron should do just fine.
.

The 936 clone has served me well also, around 4 years and still works good.

beam0 · March 26, 2018, 5:18pm

moderator007:

beam0:

moderator007:

I didn’t feel that I needed the extractor because of the small stuff I was soldering and it looks like it would be in the way.
When I was doing my research on these I remembering there being a difference in watts at the iron. I think the one I choose the 992d had the higher watts ratting for the iron than some of the others. Might be to your advantage to research the models and see which one is rated the highest for the price your willing to pay. You can always turn the heat down but you can’t always turn it up higher than the max wattage. The higher the wattage iron will solder more massive stuff easier, like brass pills.

Looks like they both max at around 500 degrees, with the 922d a little less at 480.

Just noticed though the 922d has push button controls (separate buttons up-down) for the temp.
I think I’d prefer the single knob temp control on the 862D but I wonder if those push buttons would enable a more precise adjustment.

The watts determines the amount of heat at the iron. For instance if you look at the 952d on bottom of that yihua link above, you’ll see the iron listed at 45watts. The 992d is listed at 75watts. I think the 952d is the older model. Anything at or above 75 watts at the iron should do just fine.
.

bmwsancho:

my hakko clone 936 is still up and running, for several years now. I did the metal shim mod (where you tighten the ceramic element) and it heats up quicker now.

The 936 clone has served me well also, around 4 years and still works good.

That is a big difference in watts.

I can’t seem to find the iron watts spec for the 862D https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Soldering-Iron-Rework-Stations-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Desoldering-Welder-862D/162292444459?epid=922000661&hash=item25c9622d2b:g:O5QAAOSww3tY8YYK

Although I do have several weller soldering “guns” to use for heating up brass pills etc. on occasion, I think those are maybe 75 and 120 watts.

What do you think about the push button temp controls vs knob?

Agro · March 26, 2018, 8:49pm

I did some searching.
So far I’ve found some real satisfied users. I also found it in one trustworthy-looking store. It’s said it can accept 900 series tips making it compatible with what I have already.
But others are recommending to get a 75W T12 iron instead as it should actually heat stuff up better thanks to better heat transfer. It can actually be bought for much less (but needs external 24V PSU):

I tried searching about T12 tips, but can’t seem to find an explanation on what makes them so much better than 900 series…

moderator007 · March 27, 2018, 3:10am

beam0:

moderator007:

beam0:

moderator007:

I didn’t feel that I needed the extractor because of the small stuff I was soldering and it looks like it would be in the way.
When I was doing my research on these I remembering there being a difference in watts at the iron. I think the one I choose the 992d had the higher watts ratting for the iron than some of the others. Might be to your advantage to research the models and see which one is rated the highest for the price your willing to pay. You can always turn the heat down but you can’t always turn it up higher than the max wattage. The higher the wattage iron will solder more massive stuff easier, like brass pills.

Looks like they both max at around 500 degrees, with the 922d a little less at 480.

Just noticed though the 922d has push button controls (separate buttons up-down) for the temp.
I think I’d prefer the single knob temp control on the 862D but I wonder if those push buttons would enable a more precise adjustment.

The watts determines the amount of heat at the iron. For instance if you look at the 952d on bottom of that yihua link above, you’ll see the iron listed at 45watts. The 992d is listed at 75watts. I think the 952d is the older model. Anything at or above 75 watts at the iron should do just fine.
.

bmwsancho:

my hakko clone 936 is still up and running, for several years now. I did the metal shim mod (where you tighten the ceramic element) and it heats up quicker now.

The 936 clone has served me well also, around 4 years and still works good.

That is a big difference in watts.

I can’t seem to find the iron watts spec for the 862D https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Soldering-Iron-Rework-Stations-SMD-Hot-Air-Gun-Desoldering-Welder-862D/162292444459?epid=922000661&hash=item25c9622d2b:g:O5QAAOSww3tY8YYK

Although I do have several weller soldering “guns” to use for heating up brass pills etc. on occasion, I think those are maybe 75 and 120 watts.

What do you think about the push button temp controls vs knob?

http://www.yihua-gz.com/Products_detail.asp?id=255&sortid=266
Says its 75watts at the iron. Pretty sure all these china stations come out of the Yihua factory.
I like my push button controls but I don’t see any difference besides just being able to set mine and it will climb to that temp and hold. The knobs might take a little more time to dial in if your looking for a specific temp. You will not know the exact temp when you turn the knob until the temp flat lines. Then you may have to adjust a little. I think either one should work fine, who really gets that precise with temps in this hobby. It will depend more on the size of what you are soldering as to what setting to use.