For anyone else looking for a cheap hot air station, here's a quick look at the cheapest I could find. It's a Youyue 858D+ (Clone of the Atten 858+:
https://youtu.be/vva2t21sOAs?t=1s) from Aliexpress:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/220V-700W-YOUYUE-858D-ESD-Soldering-Station-LED-Digital-Solder-Iron/32373963710.htmlIt was $45.40 total, including shipping from Singapore to Norway. It was ordered on the 25th, marked as shipped on the 27th, arrived at the post office here in Norway on the 1st and picked up on the 2nd. Don't ask me how that happened (Would not expect it to be this fast for anyone). The seller has 100% feedback score and communication was good (responded to the message).
Pictures here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/1fff0gftx3y0gbg/AAA342ffmqdTA7-qeb98TBY6aAt a first test the temperatures do seem to be within +-10 C at half an inch from the nozzle.
It does have an automatic shut-off and cooling period when you put it back in the handle.
The case and front panel are metal.
Soldering on the PCB inside looks good. (only the one solder joint on the PCB inside the handle looked suspicious, but fine)