Help With New Solder Station

Ok, so I know that this topic has been beat to death on here but, I need just a little more push before I pull the trigger. I’ve been using a cheapie dual heat “station” from Radio Shack for the last 8 years or so. Needless to say, it’s wore out! Need a replacement but don’t want to spend much money. I’ve got enough other hobbies that I can’t let my urge to modify everything electrical I see take over too much :slight_smile:

So what do you guys think between the following choices:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-10115 I can get this one for around $50 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AOYUE-936-Soldering-Station-/111084289729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19dd23bec1 or this one for around $46 shipped.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-60w.html or this one for around $45 shipped.

HELP!!!

I have the Aoyue 936 and have been very happy with it.

I have something like that CSI but under name Atten 936b, works ok, not too thrilled with it, everything under 400°C is close to useless.

I would get the Aoyue 936. Mine is nearly seven years old, still works great. Also, I prefer analogue control and it’s nice to have the power switch on the front.

For the money its hard to beat the hakko 936 clone.

I’ve been watching the hakko clone at Hobby King for a couple of weeks and it seems to stay on backorder. Does anybody know how often they get more in?

They use to get them in about once a month or a little less back when i purchased mine several months ago. It may not be the same way now. I remember someone finding them at another place for close to the same price. I just dont know who or where that was, maybe someone has kept up to date with the place to buy from at a cheap price.
You might have a look at this thread and get some ideas. The coupon code WA401 worked when i just tried, brought the total to $29.48 shipped.

I gotta recommend you go name brand, a genuine hakko or better still a weller.
Something like this will give you many years of service:

But I have to admit I have been curious about the digital models you link.
The Tenma you linked at MCM for $59
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-10115

Looks just the same as the digital model from CSI for $49

If I were going to design one, it would hopefully look and function something along the lines of this. Has the unusual name of Tropical Marine or TMC, but the reviews I have read have been positive. There are spares and consumables readily available. In terms of intuitive operation, this human interface appears to be everything the Hakko FX-888D is not. I have no connection with it. US seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLDERING-STATION-IRON-TOOL-IPHONE-REPAIR-CELL-DIGITAL-081000D-08-1000D-NEW-/130711894355

Same happened to me. I put in a request to be notified when they are in stock. That's how I got mine.

I've been using it for several months with no issues.

The name brand ones are very nice, but you'll be paying for it. I would say go for it if you can, otherwise the clone version is suitable for my needs.

I’m so tempted to go ahead and either order the Aoyue on Ebay or the Tenma 60W digital from MCM. But I know that it’s such a better deal to wait for the clone at Hobby King to come back in stock. HELP…SOMEBODY PLEASE TALK ME OUT OF IT!!! :weary:

You might want to check any Radio Shack locations around you for the Pro-Line 70w soldering station. It’s been on clearance at most locations, and some have even found it for about $15. It has digital temperature control and is supposed to be compatible with Hakko 900 series tips. There are a few threads on SlickDeals about this item, as well as other forums.

I checked 4 different locations and finally found a store that had one unit in stock for $30. Not as low as what others have been getting it for, but it’s still a great deal, IMHO.

Ok, so I’ve decided that I’m tired of waiting for the Hobby King special to come back in stock. I’ve got projects I can’t finish with my worn out old Radio Shack cheapie station. So, I’ve decided I’m either going to order the Aoyue or the digital at MCM. Both will be around $50 (Aoyue a tad cheaper, $4) so not much difference in price.

Last chance…what should I go with???

I still wanna know why the mcm digital is worth 10 dollars more than the CSI one in your eyes?

Unless I’m missing something, the CSI station, that appears to be identical to the MCM station, would cost $64 shipped.

Hmm IDK. From my zip it’s 61 shipped from CSI and 75 shipped from MCM.
Do you have a coupon or such for MCM? That would answer my question then.

Code is WA401:

So which one does everyone think?

I have a brand new radioshack pro-line 70w soldering station I can sell you for $65 shipped to US address. Much better unit than those hakko knockoffs.

Thanks very much for the offer, but I can get that same station on Ebay for $55 shipped. I know these were clearanced out for $30 and I missed that deal. Is $65 the lowest you can go?