New soldering station

[johnsonad]

My Hakko 936 soldering station finally died.  It was a good station but has been discontinued. After some research, I settled on the Hakko FX-951. It's an upgraded station but at a lower price then comparable stations.  It also had great reviews from folks that solder for a profession. It's more station than I need but should be supported for years to come.

 

[galyons]

"It's more station than I need..."

What the #@LL does that mean!  I don't understand the point you appear to  be making! 

Cheers,
Geary

 

[johnsonad]

Translated, for the work I do, a station at a third of the price would do the same.

The tip selection for this station is amazing.  Plenty of the right tool for the job options.

 

[mcandmar]

Looks like a nice bit of kit.  I have the lower model FX-888D and as you say, more station than i need..

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I saw lots of the FX-888 stations in some Nasa videos and also decided that would be adequate for my need.  Other than it being way too easy to adjust the calibration rather than the tip temperature, it's a good station.

 

[debk]

I too have the fx-888d.  I am very happy with it

Debra

 

[BNAL]

I’m still using a Hakko 936 soldering station that I bought for my first kit back in 2004. It was a Bottlehead S.E.X. 2.0.

 

[Markkr]

I cant seem to kill my 20yr old Weller WESD51... I’m itching for something new but it just wont die

 

[johnsonad]

The military movers damaged my station otherwise I would have been happy using it for many more years. Tomorrow a pair of new OPT's will arrive and the new station will get its first job. It's odd to say but I'm looking forward to it

 

[BNAL]

I would think it would be odd if your were not looking forward to a new toy.

 

[johnsonad]

Used it for the first time this weekend.  The solder pen is very light.  I can imagine if you were working a station all day it would make a big difference. I set the temp for 350C to start. It's hard to describe but it seemed to transfer heat better than my last iron. Maybe higher capacitance? I had no problem using a lower temp with this iron.  The sleep function is also neat.  When you return the pen to the holder, it lowers the temp of the pen. Once you remove it, it quickly comes back up to temp and beeps once it's reached.  You can turn this function off if you like. 

Overall I'm very happy with the purchase.

 

[caffeinator]

I cant seem to kill my 20yr old Weller WESD51... I’m itching for something new but it just wont die

I had the same problem...so I packed up and moved, and then couldn't find the box with the Weller in it...so I got the Hakko...then, of course, somehow I found an extra iron for the Weller...still couldn't find the Weller...so, I packed up and moved again...then I needed the Hakko...but found the Weller...and then found the Hakko...

So then I decided I needed a solder station in the garage and on the bench...

So, you could pack, move, unpack, pack, move, and unpack again...or, just say f@c! it and get the Hakko...and put the Weller in the garage.

 

[Deke609]

Somehow I manage to go through the same cycle of get, misplace, buy new, also misplace, refind, have too many ... and so on, all without moving.  I guess I'm just lucky that way.  ;D

 

[Clover]

I just ordered my first kit and want to just get a quality soldering station.  At this point, I'd rather just buy a quality tool now instead of string a cheapos like I started out with.  Looking on Amazon, I came across the Hakko and the Weller options both at around a hundred dollars.  Just from the very little I have looked, it seems like both brands are pretty well regarded.  I was leaning towards the Hakko but see a couple of you have now owned both.  What would you recommend for someone just starting out down this path but also likes to pick up decent tools and as they learn new skills?  Is there something else I should consider instead.  Thanks.

 

[Natural Sound]

I have a 35 year old Unger iron that I pull out from time to time. Mostly for work outside the house. For bench work my Hakko 936 is still going strong. I've soldered up quite a few Bottlehead kits with the 936.

 

[kgoss]

I have a Weller WE101 that works great.  I never owned a Hakko. but I have read good things about them.  You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Thermioniclife]

I used a Weller Wes-50 for over a decade and it gave up the ghost, I then purchased a Wes-51 and have have used that for a decade. both units worked 40 hrs. a week and the 51 is still running strong, having said that it my be discontinued by now. My 2 cents are don't spend a ton for a production piece unless you are in production.

 

[Clover]

I ended up buying a Weller and have already used it on my car build.  I had a friend helping me with the car build and we needed to solder some wires, and the cheapo that I had just was not getting enough heat into it so we ran out to Lowes where I picked up the Weller digital station.  Worked like a champ where my old iron was too week.  Been a while since I was this excited for a new tool.  I think my S.E.X 3.0 with CS4 kit arrives today and I am really looking forward to getting started.