inexpensive Iron + Hot-air stations

Community PCB Design
1

Sorry if this is not the right place to ask, but…

I’ve seen some temperature controlled solder iron + hot-air stations on ebay for roughly $100-125 (USD). I was wondering if those are just crap that’s going to annoy me and burn out. Keep in mind that I’ve been using the same $15 soldering iron I got 30 years ago as a kid :roll: … with the same tip. :shock:

I’m not above working with/around some shortcomings, but I want good value, and I’m on the verge of diving into SMD board designs. Since electronics is just a rainy day hobby, it won’t get a ton of use.

Here’s what I saw:

[<LINK_TEXT text=“http://cgi.ebay.com/SMD-Rework-Solderin … 999.c0.m14”>http://cgi.ebay.com/SMD-Rework-Soldering-Station-HOT-AIR-IRON-2in1-WELDER_W0QQitemZ200357780050QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea6411a52&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14</LINK_TEXT>

[<LINK_TEXT text=“http://cgi.ebay.com/Rework-System-Solde … 999.c0.m14”>http://cgi.ebay.com/Rework-System-Soldering-Desoldering-Station-w-LCD-852D_W0QQitemZ200384150909QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item2ea7d37d7d&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14</LINK_TEXT>](http://cgi.ebay.com/Rework-System-Soldering-Desoldering-Station-w-LCD-852D_W0QQitemZ200384150909QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item2ea7d37d7d&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14)](http://cgi.ebay.com/SMD-Rework-Soldering-Station-HOT-AIR-IRON-2in1-WELDER_W0QQitemZ200357780050QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea6411a52&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14)

2

Thats the standard set of Aoyue stations. The hot air works, and for the price, is a great value. However, the soldering iron is passable at best.

I would seriously consider a standalone soldering station, and if you need hot air get a standalone hot air station. Hakko will give you a great value for soldering stations (plus their tips are long lived). As its light use, suggesting a Metcal is out of the question :slight_smile:

3

I concur with theatrus; I’ve got a very similar Chinese rework station, and it’s great value just for the hot air function.

The soldering iron isn’t great, but I found a lot of the problem is the tips. Replacing the supplied tip with a genuine Hakko tip (they are compatible, at least the ones I saw) made a HUGE difference. There was too much “slop” in the fit of the original tip fitting over the ceramic heating element, which resulted in very poor transfer of heat.

Anyway, I don’t use the soldering iron on my station, since I have a real Hakko soldering iron, which is great…

4

I have the Auyue 968 and I find the soldering iron to be perfectly workable. I need to get a new tip, though. The pointy/needle like tip that came with it, works, but I’d like a small wedge one.

5

Thanks everyone. I’ll be getting a Hakko.

Curious…given that many deals include a choice of tips (up to 10 in some cases), what tips do you suggest? I’m guessing there are only 2-3 common choices and I’ll get a few of each.

6

A second-hand Metcal system won’t cost much more than the new system the OP was considering.

Leon

7

There is a lot of personal preference in tips. I would suggest:

  • A small sharp pointed conical

  • A small chisel tip (better heat transfer than a conical)

  • A wide screw-driver type tip (yes, even for surface mount)

As always, longer tips will have longer recovery periods, so unless you need the 2" long conical for tight spaces, get the shorter model.

8

At work we bought three of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMD-Rework-Solderin … 911.c0.m14

and never had any problem. The three were bought separately with a few months between each puchase. Good inexpensive stuff.

They are also compatible with Kada iron tips (900M-T).

I like the 900M-T-B for general SMD work, and the 900M-T-K chisel to solder fine pitch IC like TQFP. You add solder and then you wipe it on the pins while moving away from the chip to get a really clean finish.

9

I have one of these;

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMD-Rework-Solderin … 999.c0.m14

I only use it for the hot air function, it is ok for the price.

I’m interested in trying the other one you posted though, with the fan on the main unit not in the handheld bit.