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Soldering Iron Recommendation

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Flash69

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I've just been looking at soldering stations on eBay and Amazon.
I'm trying to compare the
Hakko FX 888D,
Saike 852D+,
Aoyue 9378 60 Watt, and the
Weller Wes51.

I searched the threads here for recommendations first, but found these others also. Any opinions on which one is the best choice? I don't need to buy the cheapest. I'll spend $140 if I'm getting good quality.
 
Hi Flash69,

I have moved your post to its own thread. Please try not to hijack others' threads, especially threads that have been dead for two years.
 
Hi Flash69,

I have moved your post to its own thread. Please try not to hijack others' threads, especially threads that have been dead for two years.
I usually get reprimanded for not using an existing thread, or not searching a forum's database before posting a question that has been brought up before. I wasn't trying to hijack. Next time I'll just post a new thread.
 
No worries, there was no harm done. Searching for other threads asking the same question is always a good idea, but around here we prefer you link to the other thread and still create your own. That way you're not resurrecting a long-dead thread :)
 
Ive personally used this:

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk2000-soldering-station.html

I got a bunch of tips from ebay for it (some Ive never used) that were originally for another iron.
Thank you for the tip. I've never heard of Black Jack before, or Circuit Specialists.

I like this Black Jack:
https://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-system-bk3000lf.html,

but this CSI Premier looks like a better buy. I just wish it were black:
https://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi_premier_75w.html.

Both are for lead-free soldering, which is important to me. I have a few ss flasks that leak and need soldering. I'm torn between these two. The prices are excellent.
 
check for used wellers, sometimes in good condition, or, need simple repair, say, power cord. (i got one weller locally for coffee pack.....truely!)
Also, make sure whatever soldering iron you choose has adjustable and stable temperature, and plenty of power, nothing wrong using bit beefier ones, excpecially if using narrow-tip.
''Chinese'' can be also good ones, mine pros'kit has is around 4-5 years old.
Also, one thing of note is spare parts: Aoyue/hakko uses same parts mostly (repaired my own hakko hot-air station with Aoyue parts), as well as Pros'kit/Solomon.
ESD is also good plus, if needed.
 
I know that at least one of the models I posted has a stable temp system, but I think both are. So you're saying I should go with the higher power rating. The Black Jack is 70W, and the CSI is 75W. Not much difference, but overall I think the CSI is better. It is also $15 cheaper.
 
Sorry mate, i didn't notice power rating's in your post. AFAIK, 60/75w is enought for basic stuff. I'we soldered pretty thick wires with mine, i think it's 60w, or even less. Just use solder-bridge, using solder to transfer heat to soldering wire/object, not the iron tip.
And, just came to my mind, when you buy soldering tip cleaner, i don't suggest wet-sponge: it can deliver thermal shock, which can damage tip. instead, get one of those that has cinda metal-chips, or curls, whatever those are called. They wipe off the excess solder/other oxides, and after that, use ''tinny'', pretty expensive, but worth it. I'll try to find pictures of those
 
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tip-cleaner.jpg
527651.jpg

When buying those ''activators'' (right) be sure get right one for your solder, lead free/leaded, and for god's sake don't breath those fumes! i can tell you by experience, whatever toxic that is, it made one heck of headache and my eyes burnt while.....just to warn ya :)
 
Thank you for helping me out. I hate to say this, because I love things to be black, but I'm pretty sold on the CSI Premier. I know color doesn't matter, but I'm persnickety that way. The Black Jack models look a lot sleeker on a bench, to me at least. The CSI Premier will make the bench look 'pretty.':eek:
 
CSI Premier
umm, sorry, didn't guite understand term. colour does matter, think about working with say, pink, tools....Black in the other hand mainly symbolizes organization/professionalism, at least i think so.
My colour scheme on lab is mainly black/silver, and those esd-work surfaces add bit ''army'' look. i hated the army, but still, army stuff is made to last.
But, there is no right/wrong lab/workspace, all that matters is that you can do whatever job you need to do there.
 
umm, sorry, didn't guite understand term. colour does matter, think about working with say, pink, tools....Black in the other hand mainly symbolizes organization/professionalism, at least i think so.
My colour scheme on lab is mainly black/silver, and those esd-work surfaces add bit ''army'' look. i hated the army, but still, army stuff is made to last.
But, there is no right/wrong lab/workspace, all that matters is that you can do whatever job you need to do there.
Well, if the CSI Premier was pink, it wouldn't matter how good it was, I would buy a Black Jack!
 
Hello there,

There is a station on Amazon for about 80 dollars, with hot air gun too. It says it has a 60 watt iron, but really it is 36 watts. It does work ok however.
So going by power rating probably wont help because you probably wont get the power rating they say you get anyway.
 
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