Soldering rework station.

[Serge 125]

Hi all! I would like to get a rework station like in the pic (for example) but I can't pay high price for a very good one, just need one for an "average joe" that I might use 1-3 time per month. I have a very old Radio Shack soldering iron and could use a good upgrade with all the SMD out there my iron won't do the trick only a hot air gun will BUT I still need an new iron too. So any thoughts, suggestions or even your recommendations will be mostly welcomed. BTW separate units would be acceptable but would prefer all in one unit if possible. THANKS!!

 

[Diver300]

There are plenty on eBay, starting at <£30 ($50 Canadian). Combined ones are a bit more money.

I've used one for about 10 years. It's box is similar to the one in your picture, but it's just a hot air gun. The control is digital with raise/lower and no knobs. I think it cost about £150, but they were new to the hobby market then.

It's worked perfectly, but it is generally only used occasionally. It's the only thing I've got to rework anything with pads underneath.

 

[rjenkinsgb]

I've got one of these:

8586 Soldering Iron Station Hot air Gun SMD Rework Welder Welding Tool Kit Tips | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 8586 Soldering Iron Station Hot air Gun SMD Rework Welder Welding Tool Kit Tips at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I've only used it a few times, but it seems to work well and the hot air temperature is very controllable.
I have no idea which seller I got mine from, there are many..

 

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

I have the BK5000 (not a current product) from https://www.circuitspecialists.com/blackjack-solderwerks

It contained, hot air, solder sucker and iron. Can't use iron and sucker at the same time. You have to plug each one in.

Issues:

1. I had to buy a ream for the sucker holder and ream it. It kept getting stuck in the holder.
2. Would recommend a separate sucker from someone else. They do have a newer sucker design.
3. You need to draw a pin-out of the cable for later troubleshooting.
4. The iron cartridges keep falling out.
5. The sucker and the iron use the same connector, so you can't use them at the same time.
6. I think they might be manufactured for CS by AOYUE and re-branded. See https://www.aoyue.eu/aoyue-solderin...ring-station-preheater-repairing.html#/page/3

 

[dr pepper]

I have a cheap hakko knock off, just the iron no hot air, the iron is the same as the pic, it works ok, I paid around 15 ukp for it.

 

[The March Muppet]

What do you consider a high price, and what specific features will you realistically use? What do you intend to do with it?

I bought a Yihua (iron, air, preheat) for $200, and in hindsight could have gone with just the iron for 1/3 the price. Even then, I mostly run it full out.

The air is poorly constructed and prone to failure - probably could be replaced with a cheap paint stripping gun.

Some swear by vac desolder - can't live without it. Although I've never used one, and may be one of those things that once you've had can never go back.

IR prehaet seemed so fancy at the time - worked well for salvaging components that didn't like the propane, but I don't do SMT rework.

 

[Serge 125]

What do you consider a high price, and what specific features will you realistically use? What do you intend to do with it?

Hakko is high priced for me, features both (iron/air), fix what I can because I'm a fix it man and try to fix anything even if its not electronics. I always enjoyed fixing electronics and even wanted to do this as a career but my math/physics kept me from doing this so I just fix what I can with what I know. So that is why I don't want to spend too much for something that I won't use every day so I will have it when I need it.

 

[KeepItSimpleStupid]

my math/physics kept me from doing this

Was it really math/physics or was it memorization? Think about every course you had trouble with.

 

[Serge 125]

Was it really math/physics or was it memorization? Think about every course you had trouble with.

No not memorization just hard to understand the hard stuff and I forgot algebra too. I had to be good in the 3 to be able to learn electronics at school so if you don't have good grades you don't go to electronics courses. So I learned with time but still can't fix everything.

 

[SeekerOfSecrets]

Before you buy, take a hard look at the back of the Hot-Air handle. Skinny wire means it has a simple, plastic 12-24v fan that blows the air, Fat cable means there's a pump on the base unit and you can precisely regulate the 190-400degree hot-air flow and de-solder vacuum. Much quieter, durbale and accurate too - especially when you slap the 1/8 dia tip on and do some SMT device replacement FAT hose is much better. I got the model 968A+ and using it ~1yr so far, a lot, no issues at all. ~ $130.00 US/110v
>>**broken link removed**<<

 

[Tony Cape]

I bought one of these about 2 years ago and it works great. I don't use it every day but it works fine when I need it.

F2C 2in1 862d + SMD Rework Soldering Station Combo DC Power Supply Soldering Iron Hot Air Gun Rework Station Welder Welding Tool LED Display W/4 Nozzle 110V - - Amazon.com

F2C 2in1 862d + SMD Rework Soldering Station Combo DC Power Supply Soldering Iron Hot Air Gun Rework Station Welder Welding Tool LED Display W/4 Nozzle 110V - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

About 54.00 and free shipping
F2C 2in1 862d + SMD Rework Soldering Station Combo DC Power Supply Soldering Iron Hot Air Gun Rework Station Welder Welding Tool LED Display W/4 Nozzle 110V

 

[Serge 125]

Hi there!! Ok big update I bought a Hakko Soldering FX-888D station!! Ok I know I could't afford this but I won a 50/50 church lottery and bought me a Hakko with it!! Nice little thing and doesn't take much place on my desk!!! NOW for the SMD hot air station what can I buy? I was able to pay for the Hakko station but now I don't have the 50/50 money to pay for a good hot air station so what can I get for doing 1-2 jobs per month at a good price? Who know I might win again someday and end up like I did with a Hakko!!! Thanks for any info!

 

[dr pepper]

I bought a xytronic solder station 20 odd years ago, and thought I'd overdone it.
But I'm still using it now, and they are still available.
If you use something a lot buy good quality.