Buying a soldering station

[dimitris89gr]

Hello,
I am thinking of buying the Hakko FX888 soldering station http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888.html

What is your opinion about it?

The problem is that the one I found requires input voltage of 110V, but I am in Europe and the input voltage is 220V...
If I buy a transformer will it be fine?

[IanB]

The FX-888 is good. Use the forum search, you will find lots of posts about it.

Yes, you can use a step-down transformer to provide the right input voltage. You need one with a power of about 100 W.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Hi Dimitri , well I would not suggest an such setup ( extra transformer).
You will sacrifice the portability advantage, like: moving it around if there is such need.

My opinion is to get it locally ( Greece).

I have also in my plans to replace my 16 years old soldering station, with something modern and better.
For used ones it best to look in the German Ebay. 

 

[hacklordsniper]

Hello,
I am thinking of buying the Hakko FX888 soldering station http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888.html

What is your opinion about it?

The problem is that the one I found requires input voltage of 110V, but I am in Europe and the input voltage is 220V...
If I buy a transformer will it be fine?

The Hakko FX888 is the best station you can buy and be sure i know what im talking since i had a chance to use even 20 X times more expensive soldering irons and none of them is even close to price/quality like the FX888. You can take ZD987 also its a great tool with desoldering pump too.

Buy the 110 V Hakko its much cheaper and easier to find. I did that too and replaced the transformer, here is a description in my native language http://hacklordsniper.com/Arhiva_projekata/Projekt_(9).html. However you can search my older posts there i described in English replacement of the transformer.

[dimitris89gr]

Hi Dimitri , well I would not suggest an such setup ( extra transformer).
You will sacrifice the portability advantage, like: moving it around if there is such need.

My opinion is to get it locally ( Greece).

I have also in my plans to replace my 16 years old soldering station, with something modern and better.
For used ones it best to look in the German Ebay.

My friend I cannot find it in Greece. Only in one shop and they have the 110v version

[RCMR]

Unless you need to carry the iron around to various locations on a regular basis then the 110V Hakko 888 plus a low-cost 220->110V transformer is a great option.

Since I bought my 110V Hakko 888 and a 230->110V transformer I've been very happy with the results.

[Kiriakos-GR]

The Hakko web site is a mess about directions for resellers, even so it looks that they do have in Italy Germany and England, there is dots on their global map.

Dimitri I would suggest to join the hlektronika.gr forum, to get more localized help.
And do not forget that other than getting it, you will need parts and support later on.
And so my advice will be, to not make any fast moves before finding an reliable source for the Hakko products.

[AheadOfTheTimes]

Never tried Hakko, but I do like my Weller TCP12P which runs from a 12v car battery.  Very simple but very portable, no electronics, just an on-off thermostat.

[dimitris89gr]

The Hakko web site is a mess about directions for resellers, even so it looks that they do have in Italy Germany and England, there is dots on their global map.

Dimitri I would suggest to join the hlektronika.gr forum, to get more localized help.
And do not forget that other than getting it, you will need parts and support later on.
And so my advice will be, to not make any fast moves before finding an reliable source for the Hakko products.

I had already done it before opening a thread in this forum, but I couldn't get much help...

[Kiriakos-GR]

I had already done it before opening a thread in this forum, but I couldn't get much help...

Check your topic there again, and be patient.
I am also interested to find a Euro-dealer about those Hakko products,
and so I will help if you start following my suggestions.
Like to send an email to them.

[dimitris89gr]

I have already sent some emails to distributors in Europe.
Until now one from UK replied, but he said that the contract they have with hakko does not allow them to sell outside UK 

[alm]

Hakko stations are a good deal in some countries (especially US), in other parts of the world, not so much. Expect to be a lot more. If you live in Europe, brands like Weller and Ersa will be cheaper, more available and easier to get parts/support for. There have been some complaints about a Weller station on this forum, but at least the older models are used by lots of professionals.

[RCMR]

When i looked to buy my 888 I checked the local prices:

R&S NZ$247 (including tax) excluding shipping
Element 14 NZ$264.50 (including tax) excluding shipping

I ended up buying from a US supplier for about US$90 plus $30 shipping for a total of NZ$145 and picked up a $300W transformer locally  for under NZ$60 which gave me a total all-up buy price of about NZ$200 *including* shipping.

Okay, I may have only saved $60-$70 but I did end up with a really handy source 110V which can power a couple of other bits of lab gear.  If I'd gone with the cheaper 100W transformer I'd have been about $90 better off than buying the 230V unit.

With the extra $$ I saved, I could afford to buy some more tips, some flux, some solder and other components.

Besides which -- it really annoys me that a company hikes its prices so much based solely on the location of its dealers and then imposes strict controls over what versions they can and can't sell.  I don't like to reward companies like that by purchasing any of their products which carry artificially inflated prices (as is the case with the 230V version of the FX888).

[Kiriakos-GR]

I found one reseller in Italy, he looks to have devices and spare parts.
I did send an email about the model that Dimitris have in mind.
In few hours, I think that I will have an reply. 

[hacklordsniper]

When i looked to buy my 888 I checked the local prices:

R&S NZ$247 (including tax) excluding shipping
Element 14 NZ$264.50 (including tax) excluding shipping

I ended up buying from a US supplier for about US$90 plus $30 shipping for a total of NZ$145 and picked up a $300W transformer locally  for under NZ$60 which gave me a total all-up buy price of about NZ$200 *including* shipping.

Okay, I may have only saved $60-$70 but I did end up with a really handy source 110V which can power a couple of other bits of lab gear.  If I'd gone with the cheaper 100W transformer I'd have been about $90 better off than buying the 230V unit.

With the extra $$ I saved, I could afford to buy some more tips, some flux, some solder and other components.

Besides which -- it really annoys me that a company hikes its prices so much based solely on the location of its dealers and then imposes strict controls over what versions they can and can't sell.  I don't like to reward companies like that by purchasing any of their products which carry artificially inflated prices (as is the case with the 230V version of the FX888).

Thats a smart move and i suggest to anyone here to get theirs same way

[dimitris89gr]

I have been also contacted from a reseller in Italy, confirming that they have the 220v in stock.
Waiting for information about shipping costs...

[dimitris89gr]

Final price, including shipping cost will be 250$...
I think it's better to buy a 110 one + a transformer...
What do you think?

[ElektroQuark]

I think...

I think it's better to buy a 110 one + a transformer...

[Kiriakos-GR]

I have not start reviews about soldering stations yet. 

But if I was had spare cash this days, I would like to had one of this ...  http://www.conrad.com/Digital-Soldering-Station-ST100-D-100W.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=588900&ci=SHOP_B2C_TAB_TOOLS_TOPOFFER

Its an complete solution with the smartest design that I have see so far, about the storage ability of other tools in it.

[gregariz]

I have not start reviews about soldering stations yet. 

But if I was had spare cash this days, I would like to had one of this ...  http://www.conrad.com/Digital-Soldering-Station-ST100-D-100W.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=588900&ci=SHOP_B2C_TAB_TOOLS_TOPOFFER

Its an complete solution with the smartest design that I have see so far, about the storage ability of other tools in it.

its sold in the US by radioshack for $80 but it uses a hakko 936 clone pencil. The mic socket is the givaway.

http://www.attenelectronics.com/productBody.aspx?id=246&bid=14&sid=46

[Kiriakos-GR]

The only thing that spoils my fun about this one, is that I have use to park my soldering iron with the noose facing the wall.
Its safer that way ... 

EDIT:
I got fooled by the Atten picture, the station is fine in all.   

[gregariz]

I think...

I think it's better to buy a 110 one + a transformer...

IMO the 888 was Hakko's response to being so well cloned/ripped off by the chinese. Did they need to change away from the 900 series tips? I think not except for the widespread cloning.

If you are ok to buy a Hakko 936 clone you can probably get a decent price in europe. (ie http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-deluxe-60w-digital-soldering-iron-station-csi-station3dlf-p-242.html)

When in Oz I wired my shop for 110v because of the price difference and the various stuff I eventually collected from the US. Now I'm in the US is no longer an issue but when I go locally now the 888 is in the same class (albeit cheaper and with a slightly hotter iron) as the 936/937 or weller wes51/wesd or even the low end pace. They are all essentially the same internally. My choice would be a wes simply because of touchy feely stuff like build quality/nicer pencil. However its a 50W iron instead of a 65W iron so horses for courses really. Would I pay $250 for one? No..I'd wire my shop... but maybe u move house a bit so its up to decide

[hacklordsniper]

I have not start reviews about soldering stations yet. 

But if I was had spare cash this days, I would like to had one of this ...  http://www.conrad.com/Digital-Soldering-Station-ST100-D-100W.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=588900&ci=SHOP_B2C_TAB_TOOLS_TOPOFFER

Its an complete solution with the smartest design that I have see so far, about the storage ability of other tools in it.

Its kinda too expensive, you can buy much more better irons for the money

[Kiriakos-GR]

The Conrad company, its not famous for the low pricing, even so it is famous about after sales support.
Personally I always take  the time to discover all my options before I press the "Buy now button".

From the other hand if some one at the year 2011 searches for a new soldering station,
he has other reasons to become confused.
For example , do I need an better made soldering station similar to what I have,
or to get a more advanced one with solder iron plus hot air (iron) for smt rework ?

Even if you do not touch smt, you will be able to exchange faulty electrolytic from motherboards and PSU of all sorts.

[0xdeadbeef]

Any opinions on this one?
http://www.xytronic-usa.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=26

Some of the Xytronic stuff seems to be rebranded (e.g. the hot air station seems to be a rebranded Atten, but I'm not so sure about the soldering stations).