Soldering Station Purchase Advice

[pcardoso73]

Hi all,
This is my first post.
I know that this question keeps coming over and over again, but now the prices are different and there are some new brands as well.

I am a hobbyist who does some projects with microcontrollers, lcds, keypads, etc.My actual soldering iron is 15 years old or so (please see pictures attached). It is not a bad iron but it is not good either. One think that I dislike is that it heats more than needed, lifting up tracks easily.
So, I am looking for something decent, which shouldn't cost more than £30. To me the temperature control is essential, so I think I really need a station and not an iron.

Due to my low budget, I am looking at reviews so I can buy something that works better than the iron I have.

I started looking at Hakko clones, of course. 
There are so many reviews on 936 clones, that I think it might be a good option.

Here we go:

1- Grandma Shark 937D+. It looks like any other Hakko clone from the outside, but for £19.99 ? What ? Could this one be well made like Yihua/WEP?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grandma-Shark-Desoldering-station937D-240V-B/dp/B07XLJ38MS/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=soldering+station&qid=1587677576&s=industrial&sr=1-10
Regarding this station, I found a video on youtube ->

2- WEP 926 -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WEP-Soldering-Iron-Station-Rework-Kit-Variable-Stand-Temperature-Digital-LED-60W/193157732652

3- Aoyue 469 -> https://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/aoyue-469-soldering-station-eu-lead?gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRtqTJcVi_bIKDJJW49ttDk4LQXdNuB6Dx-ILTNOUxn8VuC7nj47-cXxoCUfQQAvD_BwE

4 - Yihua 936 -> https://hobbyking.com/en_us/soldering-station-with-adjustable-heat-range-with-eu-plug.html?queryID=e54b45e156466fa6c9a1304224748bf2&objectID=22810&indexName=hbk_live_magento_en_us_products

5 - Yihua 927 -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/392765327810?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=392765327810&targetid=878705634165&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045594&poi=&campaignid=9437819219&mkgroupid=95525168813&rlsatarget=pla-878705634165&abcId=1139356&merchantid=6995734&gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRth9Iz7jfaYdLyWzT0OAApFuFRX1ViXev2apNGT9uTTlUdJqH_zRomBoCtXIQAvD_BwE

6 - Yuxun 936 B+ -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soldering-Station-Best-Quality-YAXUN-936B-With-UK-3pin-Plug-Solder/332454492405?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D038e982b6eb34fbbadafa31fbfee753d%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D262287751525%26itm%3D332454492405%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598

7 - KSGER Mini -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KSGER-MINI-STC-LED-T12-Soldering-Iron-Soldering-Station-Temperature-Controller-U/362774079985?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3Dc1e9e61011784f0893d3096afd7c3a52%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D332454492405%26itm%3D362774079985%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

8- YOTEC 967 -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/967-Soldering-Iron-Station-Electric-SMD-Rework-Welder-Welding-Tool/254513028035?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SIMRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3D7e442e20d67045789fc2f536b9529861%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D21%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D282018719665%26itm%3D254513028035%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplRVIAMLv5WebWithPLRVIOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982



I think that's enough. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
I would buy the 1st one straight away if. it would be of some quality.

// Edit 25 April 2020
Anyhow, please take a look at the pictures of my old iron (it is 15 years old and the tip is the original one). This tip grabs solder just on one side, so I have to rotate the iron as I am soldering, in order to use the correct side of the tip.
Some questions:
1- What do you think of this iron?
2- Can the main culprit be the tip?
3- Do you think that the 971 tips are compatible with any other type?

The reference of the iron is FSP 971 and I found on the internet a SR iron, which seems identical to me. (https://www.pro-soldering.com/soldering-iron-2/SR-971.html)

Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Pedro

[bob91343]

I have a very old soldering iron perhaps somewhat similar to yours.  I don't use it often but it is run from a small variac so I can control the amount of power it gets.  This has worked well for me and avoids the expensive temperature controlled solutions.  At maximum setting it gets too hot for most work (but not all) and so I usually run it at about 80 - 90% of nominal.  I do run it at 100% at first to get faster warmup.

I thought I'd mention a low tech solution.  Of course it's more fun to buy something new.

[David Hess]

I would say that closed loop temperature control is a must but variable temperature control is less necessary.  That leaves open the options for some stick irons like the Weller Magnastat ones which have interchangeable tips for 600F, 700F, and 800F.

[RoGeorge]

They seem to have 900M type soldering tips.  That technology has not enough heating power, especially the clones.  I measured a few some time ago, if interested read the conclusions part, at the end:
https://rogeorge.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/zero-parts-thermostated-soldering-station/

Search for solder stations using T12/T15 type heating cartridge.  Those are monobloc cartridges, the soldering tip is also the temperature sensor, can be easily changed during work, and have much more heating power (for the same electrical power) and much better temperature control.

[pcardoso73]

Hi,
Please take a look at my post's update. What do you think of my current iron?

I would say that closed loop temperature control is a must but variable temperature control is less necessary.  That leaves open the options for some stick irons like the Weller Magnastat ones which have interchangeable tips for 600F, 700F, and 800F.

What do you mean by closed loop temperature control? I guess the iron is capable of maintaining accurately the temperature constant, but which value of temperature 270C, 300C,etc?

Regarding irons what do you think of JBC's pencil irons as JBC 30ST, for example?

Cheers,
Pedro

[David Hess]

I would say that closed loop temperature control is a must but variable temperature control is less necessary.  That leaves open the options for some stick irons like the Weller Magnastat ones which have interchangeable tips for 600F, 700F, and 800F.

What do you mean by closed loop temperature control? I guess the iron is capable of maintaining accurately the temperature constant, but which value of temperature 270C, 300C,etc?

I mean it is important that the iron regulate its tip temperature, but it is less important that the temperature be infinitely adjustable.

Regarding irons what do you think of JBC's pencil irons as JBC 30ST, for example?

As far as I can tell, that one is not temperature controlled.  I mean like the Weller W60P3 of which there is a 240 volt version.

[MosherIV]

Hi Pedro

Are you still looking to buy an iron or are you now looking for replacement tips?

Have you looked at Bigclive youtube channel, he has done a really good video on cheap solder stations.

Alternatively, some people highly rate the Bakon 950d.

[pcardoso73]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
Maybe I will get the first one, since it is easy to return items on amazon, and test it. If I don't like it I will return it.

Regarding my current iron, I don't know where to get the tips from, since they are 1 cm longer than Hakko's. A solution would be to find an 1cm spacer to add to the one that is already there (came with the iron) and use Hakko's tips.

Cheers,
Pedro

[Shock]

Have you seen how far the heater protrudes? You might just need an appropriate sleeve and nut if it's an oddball tip size.

But also in the past people have also reported that they have brought a cheap Hakko 936 clone and it came with the 900L tips instead of the 900M. These are fatter but still fit over the same heater, again due to the difference in tip size it needs both the sleeve and nut to convert it to take 900M/T18 tips (both compatible with each other).

https://www.hakko.com/english/maintenance/topic_936_937_928_kote.html

[pcardoso73]

Hi,
The tips of my soldering iron have a total length of 5.2 cm (1.6cm tip and 3.6 the rest). The tip is hollow and it has an inner diameter of 4mm and outer diameter of 6mm.
The heater goes till the end of the cylindrical part, just before the tip begins (protrudes about 3.6cm). Do you know if there is any tip with these characteristics by any other brand?
Cheers,
Pedro

[Shock]

Out of ideas, thought it might have been the 900L, but its about as thick as a standard T18. Making a spacer is probably a good idea then if you can get T18 to fit.

[pcardoso73]

Hi
I am bringing back to life this thread again. 
After all of the suggestions I've bought a Quicko 942.
Very nice station for £20 only, but I didn't like the fact of needing an external supply.
For some time, I went back to my old iron but I really need to buy a station for my projects.
After looking at many, I've narrowed down the list to

1 - Queeco 956
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrNIF14

2 - KSGER T12 STM32 V2.1s
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPt5XPs

3 - KSGER T12 STC,  grounded chassis and nice display
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msBQ5vM

Any thoughts on these? I really like the large numbers on the number3...

Thanks in advance.
Best regards
Pedro

[tatel]

Hi, I would suggest to you to get any T12 station... as long as it has inside an original STM32 or CKS clone. Avoid STC based ones. They are cheaper, but IMO the thing that really makes those stations great is that custom firmware by DavidAlfa. This firmware works with almost any STM32 and some clones like CKS, but it doesn't work with STC.

I got my Quicko T12 some 18 months ago for less than €30. Sadly they are now more than double that. But I don't think STC-based stations hold the same value, just because they don't work with that custom firmware. My station doesn't have an original STM32 but the CKS clone behaves exactly the same AFAIK. Other clones like GD do show additional problems and it's adviced to to substitute an original STM32F103 for those GD clones. STM32F101/102 work also but perhaps you'd be near memory exhaustion IIRC. Maybe you should check what you are about to buy by using, say, aliexpress messaging with the vendor.

With DavidAlfa's custom firmware and cheap chinese cloned T12 tips you can have results like those on the following links, first one shows temperature drop while putting the tip into a Florida swamp-like wet sponge: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/stm32-oled-digital-soldering-station-for-t12-handle/msg3626084/#msg3626084 On that and following posts you can see how it holds tip temperature, nice ramps, no spikes, no oscillations, no overshoot, just a plain temperature graphic as anyone could only dream of getting it from a dirty cheap chinese T12 clone station and tips.

However, you have to be aware that you'll probably need to get a tip temperature tester (like an FG-100 clone or similar) and quite a bunch of thermocouples for it. You'll need to flash that custom firmware into your station with an ST-Link clone. You'ĺl need to calibrate your tips carefully after some half an hour of burning in your tip. You'll need to fine tune PID settings for every and each tip you have. And (perhaps) you'll need to flash more than just one version of DavidAlfa's firmware. I actually got into a hot argument with him after a regression and I have remained in the firmware version that worked fine for me since then.  You can see regression effects here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/stm32-oled-digital-soldering-station-for-t12-handle/msg3626115/#msg3626115

That said, credit has to be given when it's due and I have to say that DavidAlfa's work is really, really good. So you could just go for the last version and see if it works for you. Please note that those clone tips can behave abhorrently. But it all can be made to work really well by modding the PID settings, nearing the behaviour of some soldering stations that are like 3x or 4x the price.

You could also make your life easier by purchasing original Haako T12 tips. You can even do some modding and have those stations working with JBC tips, but they would ideally need some more power to work with C245 tips. However there's enough oomph to work with C210/C115 tips IIRC

Alternatively, you could go for an Aixun T3A if you need even more brute force power, or an Aixun T3B if you need thinner tips to work with real little SMD components. Those stations work with JBC C245 (T3A) and C210/C115 (T3B) clone tips. But it's advised to get original JBC tips. You could get a JBC-equivalent soldering station at 1/3 the price. With just the original firmware they came with. Without any mods. Please note I don't have any Aixun station son don't quote me on this. Just search the forum for those threads.

You could be interested in watching SteveyG videos. First, review of T12 stations with custom firmware. I got pretty better results by pushing PID settings, but it's worth watching


T3A


T3B


Edit: link

[pcardoso73]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your super detailed answer.

I have watched some SteveyG’s videos that are great. If I could I would get the Aixun but, having a lower budget, I will probably go with either a Quecoo 955 or a 959.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mreTxYS

Cheers,
Pedro