Thoughts on this Iron please

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 1:30am

I looked very long and hard at one of the Hakko with the temp control on the iron much like the one that I just had melt. It was around $40 on Amazon it sounded great I liked the slight design difference. But it is said that most are fakes...

Whatever I do it will be tonight. Then I have to break down these sk98's and see what trash for parts are in them and order some that wi light them up.

LOL I almost forgot, my Panasonic 18650's came today I put 2 in the charger about 6 hours ago and they are still charging. I can't wait to see one in my original sk98... I had to send them a message, they left my battery cases out. They are on the packing slip.. I get containers from Walmart in the fishing supplies that have separated compartments just the right size for my batteries.

Texlite · October 12, 2016, 1:35am

Terry White:

SawMaster:

I have several friends who use the Weller stations and all like them. But we’re Ham radio people who are more interested in the results than exact temps, and there’s always a range of good temps, not just one specific and only temp. As long as it does what you need that’s good enough. Having said all that, the Hakko and some others which use Hakko tips are well-respected for good reason and might be a better choice if you go onto other projects needing more than the Weller can give. I’m still using several irons and guns from 25W to 250W simply because I have them. I don’t do much SMD yet but am going to in time so I’ll modernize one day myself. Phil

I just walked in the door, been to every store in town that might have any of the types mentioned in this thread. The closest I found was of all places Radio shack This one is used on Amazon and is just above half the price of the new one which was 89.99 the problem is that it has that same plastic sleeve where most of that copied design fail and pretty much melt apart. Poor salesman told me that they have solved that problem by adding open vents where the sleeve locks the tip in place. The iron itself just did not feel right and finding tips for it are all but impossible. No Radio Shack store stocks them. So I have pretty much written it off.

That leaves 2 the Weller WLC100 and one I was looking at online and found a lessor expensive temp controlled Weller. the The are where the temp is controlled and there are only 3 so the temps are still pretty high.

If I can get the WLC10 here a few days before my parts begin arriving then I will have plenty of time to see if I can control the temp at least enough to keep from burning up boards. And it is an Amazon prime product sold by Amazon. Free 2 day shipping and 30 days to decide if it works for me or not.

LOL still thinking, and I still have lights to break down and measure for and choose parts. The last sk98 I ordered on Amazon I got lucky and it is the real stuff. The 2 that arrived today I have not taken apart yet but did light one of them. Compared to the real Cree that clone is just blue… Even my wife picked out the fake… So I am goingto upgrade those as well…

I have one of those RS branded ones, it’s an older model though so I’m not sure if the tip is the same. If it is it’s a very good unit, no kidding. Mines 8-10 years old and still works like new. It’s pretty heavy for its size, and I don’t remember where but there was a discussion about them on an electronic forum when I bought mine, supposedly the old model is well made. Mine iron is metal though, no plastic. If it’s the same then I get tips for Craftsman soldering irons for replacements from Sears, they hold up well and are available locally and on eBay.

Guess this means I’m going out to take a few pics.

-Michael

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 1:57am

Texlite:

Terry White:

SawMaster:

I have several friends who use the Weller stations and all like them. But we’re Ham radio people who are more interested in the results than exact temps, and there’s always a range of good temps, not just one specific and only temp. As long as it does what you need that’s good enough. Having said all that, the Hakko and some others which use Hakko tips are well-respected for good reason and might be a better choice if you go onto other projects needing more than the Weller can give. I’m still using several irons and guns from 25W to 250W simply because I have them. I don’t do much SMD yet but am going to in time so I’ll modernize one day myself. Phil

I just walked in the door, been to every store in town that might have any of the types mentioned in this thread. The closest I found was of all places Radio shack This one is used on Amazon and is just above half the price of the new one which was 89.99 the problem is that it has that same plastic sleeve where most of that copied design fail and pretty much melt apart. Poor salesman told me that they have solved that problem by adding open vents where the sleeve locks the tip in place. The iron itself just did not feel right and finding tips for it are all but impossible. No Radio Shack store stocks them. So I have pretty much written it off.

That leaves 2 the Weller WLC100 and one I was looking at online and found a lessor expensive temp controlled Weller. the The are where the temp is controlled and there are only 3 so the temps are still pretty high.

If I can get the WLC10 here a few days before my parts begin arriving then I will have plenty of time to see if I can control the temp at least enough to keep from burning up boards. And it is an Amazon prime product sold by Amazon. Free 2 day shipping and 30 days to decide if it works for me or not.

LOL still thinking, and I still have lights to break down and measure for and choose parts. The last sk98 I ordered on Amazon I got lucky and it is the real stuff. The 2 that arrived today I have not taken apart yet but did light one of them. Compared to the real Cree that clone is just blue... Even my wife picked out the fake... So I am goingto upgrade those as well..

I have one of those RS branded ones, it’s an older model though so I’m not sure if the tip is the same. If it is it’s a very good unit, no kidding. Mines 8-10 years old and still works like new. It’s pretty heavy for its size, and I don’t remember where but there was a discussion about them on an electronic forum when I bought mine, supposedly the old model is well made. Mine iron is metal though, no plastic. If it’s the same then I get tips for Craftsman soldering irons for replacements from Sears, they hold up well and are available locally and on eBay. Guess this means I’m going out to take a few pics. -Michael

When I get finished with these 2 clones that arrived today the guys at work will be begging for them. Should be a decent amount brighter than the original I was lucky enough to get. I need Thermal paste and some 18650 battery sleeves and...well um this could go on and on...lol

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 2:05am

Hey... What thermal paste do you guys recommend or use the most, also the tiny flimsy wires in some of these lights just seems wrong. In your own upgrades or mods what guage?

RotorHead64 · October 12, 2016, 3:28am

+1 This little sucker will do it! You don't need exact temp control just a hot iron and dwell time control. You kinda get a "feel" for it.

keengeorge · October 12, 2016, 3:42am

G'Day Terry,

I bought this after many members recommended it (you can get the US version from them ie HobbyKing):

Soldering Station with Adjustable Heat Range with AUS Plug | HobbyKing

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24789__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_with_AUS_plug.html

That temp controlled Soldering Station is highly recommended by many members, see:

Hakko clone soldering station from HobbyKing on sale right now | BudgetLightForum

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/31284

I have used it now for more than 1 year, & it is Very good.

It uses Hakko 900M compatible tips that are Very Good, Cheap, & easily available in a wide variety of shapes & sizes.

You can also buy spare parts for them very easily & cheaply (I have not needed any).

Best Regards,

George

Barkuti · October 12, 2016, 4:02am

Around six months ago I recommended one of these units to Don5946:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HAKKO-FX-951-fx951-Digital-Soldering-Station-set-kit-Electric-soldering-iron-set-kit-75W-Replace/32441796375.html

With regards to wire gauge, the wider the path the lesser the losses, though of course too thick wires may result impractical. Keep wires as short as possible, and select a resonable gauge which fits without issues and minimizes losses. I use ElectroDroid software which allows me to quickly calculate voltage drops across sections of copper/aluminium wires for given lenghts and current flows.

Cheers ^:)

keengeorge · October 12, 2016, 4:06am

That is a "clone" of the Hakko FX-951 station. It uses T12 tips.

Unfortunately Hakko T12 compatible tips are far more expensive than 900M tips.

Best Regards,

George

elnino · October 12, 2016, 4:21am

I am little off-topic but its about soldering …

What brand of flux do you use ?

keengeorge · October 12, 2016, 4:30am

Kester are Very good.

Best Regards,

George

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 4:36am

Same here 63 <37. No one around here sells it so I always have to order it.

None better that I know of.

Oh and I orderd the Weller. As a Prime member I can retirn it for no reason at all of it does not fit my needs. I also ordered some new stronger magnifiers with better lighting. Lol I'm 48 now so need all the help I can get.

Barkuti · October 12, 2016, 4:40am

Genuine T12 tips for decent price: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-5pcs-lot-HAKKO-Soldering-Station-soldering-iron-tip-T12-Soldering-Iron-Tips-Solder-Tip/32331066490.html

Now, this is EXPENSIVE stuff: http://www.jbctools.com

And hell, HIGH quality. My iron's 3×1'5mm tip is about 30 years old and kicking ass. LMAO!

Cheers ^:)

everydaysurvivalgear · October 12, 2016, 5:30am

Your old one was probably plastic. Mine is glass fibre reinforced plastic the same material they use on power tools. All solders are made out of this material even the Hakko

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 5:44am

look what the nice mailman brought me today.

No luck this time though

They have not been taken apart yet and I can promise you they are total fakes. After I'm finished with them theu will blow the original..

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 6:00am

Cree or not? I will have it open shortly.

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 6:09am

Cree or not? I will have it open shortly.

everydaysurvivalgear · October 12, 2016, 6:28am

I would guess fake most likely a lattice bright

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 6:34am

Yep. They even stamped it right on the bottom of the star. And this guy is caught dead to rights. Ot even says Cree XML-T6 on one side of the housing. Normally I really don’t care. They were cheap and if I do my job right I will make money but,this guy is an Amazon Prime dealer and has his stuff shipped from their warehouse. I pay too much money to Amazon to let it go…

Terry_White · October 12, 2016, 8:05am

Lol they will not post my reviw
So I’ve been on the phone fpr last 30 minites asking why their vendor can cheat me but I can’t wrote and prove that in my review

Sheese

One other thing on hese fake SK98’s I am measuring 20mm for both the board and the star. I’ve never measured my other one
No need to but I want to get the parts ordered tonight

robo819 · October 12, 2016, 9:44am

I am late to the party looks like , but I have had really good results so far with this little station I got about 9 months ago. They also have a large selection of tips that seem to hold up well and many other items on their site.