Solder station, first time build

[wareaglefan]

Hey guys, I'm looking to pick up a crack/speedball kit this week, and will need a solder station. I saw this one- plenty of power it seems, but I'm wondering if it will make it through the build without failing- it's about half the price of most solder stations. Really trying to keep the cost down, so if this seems legitimate it would be a good deal for me.

I can't post links yet, but it's from circuit specialists- search for CSI-Station 75

Thanks guys!

 

[jake111]

Here ya go.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bndl140.html

 

[EarWorm]

really love this iron. 

 

[audiomaniac]

really love this iron.

+1

 

[bobster]

which Hako model is it?

 

[Chris65]

FX-888D

 

[bobster]

Thank you.

 

[mcandmar]

I also have an 888D which is a great bit of kit, but not cheap this side of the pond.  Be careful where you buy it from as there are a lot of fakes out there, especially on eBay.

 

[Strikkflypilot]

Doesn't look bad.
I wish I hadn't built my Crack with a 1/4 inch chisel Iron, soldering the Mainline was a whole lot easier to make good looking with my soldering station, which is a Xytronic LF-3000 btw.
Sure made it work and then some but the Speedball was a little tight

More important, though is practicing a bit before the real soldering starts.
And look at the PACE training videos on Youtube.
(Too many videos out there with guys loving to say the phrase 'Just need to apply a little bit more solder in there' making blobs and a mess)

 

[mkane]

FX-888D

If I remember correctly ours was $77

 

[catfishstevens]

IMO the Hakko is absolutely worth every cent, but yeah get it from a reputable source.  I think I paid $100ish for mine from Amazon and it came with a bunch of tips and cleaning wire.  Think of it as a long term investment because they last forever and the difference between a Hakko and a cheapo is incredible.  There are of course some other great (and expensive) brands out there but for Hakko 888 is a classic.

For tips, I pretty much exclusively use 1-3mm chisel tips or the knife point tip for through hole work.  I do not recommend the pointed tips for through hole work, the surface area is too small to effectively transfer heat.  Really, don't ever use them IMO but some people like them for SMD.  For that I prefer the knife point, but I don't think any BH products use SMD anyway.

 

[Doc B]

Actually the 936 is the classic. The 888 is the current model. A used 936 is a great value. I usually have some oddball station for my own use (Hexacon for years until someone used it as a prybar, Ersa 2000 now) but a 936 always ends up being the go-to iron in the lab.

 

[catfishstevens]

That's a great point, a used 936 would be an excellent iron.