Whats a good soldering station?

[Brenton Spear]

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station. (Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com

 

[John Crighton]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 09:51:01 +1100, "Brenton Spear"
<abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station. (Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com


Hello Brenton,

if you like, you could test the after sales service
on each of these brands.
Ring up and say you have a used soldering iron
that you bought on ebay. Tell them it doesn't work
and you would like a copy of the service/repair
booklet including circuit diagram, so that you and
your electronics friend can repair it.

You could ask about the price of the heating elements,
the price of replacement circuit boards, do they sell
the board components separately or not?

The kind of response you get, might help you
narrow down the choices.

Regards,
John Crighton
Hornsby

 

[Phil Allison]

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqtmgj$259mt8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?

** Get yourself a Hakko 936 - the best and most reliable soldering
iron/station out.

Try WES Components in Ashfield ph 02 9797 9866




.......... Phil

 

[Bill]

Anyone know where these would be available in Perth ?

"Phil Allison" <philallison@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:3fd277e2$0$20185$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqtmgj$259mt8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...
I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at
Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the
same
money?


** Get yourself a Hakko 936 - the best and most reliable soldering
iron/station out.

Try WES Components in Ashfield ph 02 9797 9866




......... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

"Bill" <Bgates@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3fd2793b$0$1739$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Anyone know where these would be available in Perth ?

** DSE for one.

WES will deliver anywhere in Australia.





.......... Phil

 

[John Harvey]

Brenton Spear wrote:

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station. (Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?

Hakko or Weller... because they've been around for yonks and you can
readily get parts for both -- which you'll almost certainly need at
some point in the future. Come to think of it I don't know anyone who
matters who doesn't use one or the other. ;-)

Actually I've just bought a Hakko 936 (arrived yesterday) to replace
my 15yo WTCPS -- $199 inc GST compared to the current Weller at $189
(from a trade source).

The Hakko is variable temperature whereas the Weller isn't. The
Weller has a bigger range of tips which are quite a bit cheaper and
probably more readily available. You can also get a floating earth
Hakko for a few more bucks -- for those who have trouble with their
earth leakage detectors throwing out whenever they try to solder. )

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you apply ROT13.

 

[Phil Allison]

"John Harvey" <john4271@hotmail.com>

The Hakko is variable temperature whereas the Weller isn't. The
Weller has a bigger range of tips which are quite a bit cheaper and
probably more readily available.

You can also get a floating earth
Hakko for a few more bucks -- for those who have trouble with their
earth leakage detectors throwing out whenever they try to solder. )

** An earthed soldering iron would be a menace in my workshop - I am so
used to being able to work on "hot" circuitry when needed.

But I definitely draw the line at working on any AC supply side wiring
while the juice is still on - which would be the only way to make an ELCB
trip.




........... Phil

 

[John Crighton]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 11:44:01 +1100, "Phil Allison"
<philallison@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqtmgj$259mt8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...
I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?


** Get yourself a Hakko 936 - the best and most reliable soldering
iron/station out.

Try WES Components in Ashfield ph 02 9797 9866




......... Phil

Hello Phil,

I wasn't impressed with the Hakko aftersales help
for bits and pieces on my Hakko 700 soldering and
desoldering station.
No circuits are supplied.
IC UPC1701 is unobtainable in Australia.
Hakko USA and Hakko Japan do not answer e-mails.
The local agents can get the IC in six weeks, maybe,
for 15 dollars and 8 dollars delivery. No pickups allowed.
Must receive the tiny IC by standard 8 dollar satchel post.
Wouldn't even let me talk on the phone to the local
repair man.

The soldering iron part of the station has worked well
and is probably quite similar to the 936 model that you
mention but the desoldering iron electronics is a bit
flacky to me. I traced the circuit and it seems to
work by sensing the resistance change in the heating
element. As the element gets hot the resistance goes
up so the current though the element and and a low
ohm series sense resistor goes down. The voltage
sensed is fed to a comparator and then on to the special
IC which produces a series of pulses to fire the triac
when required, observing zero crossing requirements.
Very erratic in operation.

I give the Hakko 700 desoldering station the thumbs down.

Regards,
John Crighton
Hornsby

 

[Phil Allison]

"John Crighton" <john_c@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:3fd27fed.14278137@News.CIS.DFN.DE...

Hello Phil,
I wasn't impressed with the Hakko aftersales help
for bits and pieces on my Hakko 700 soldering and
desoldering station.

** Who even mentioned de-soldering stations ????

You are falsely using one example to draw wrong conclusions about
another, very different one.




.......... Phil

 

[John Harvey]

Bill wrote:

Anyone know where these would be available in Perth ?

AFAIK Computronics are the Hakko agent/distributor in Perth.

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you apply ROT13.

 

[Brenton Spear]

Thanks Guys.

The Hakko 936 looks like the sort of unit I want.

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"John Harvey" <john4271@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0iv4tvour07hljeh88364djv0ufl9kgvic@4ax.com...

Brenton Spear wrote:

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at
Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the
same
money?

Hakko or Weller... because they've been around for yonks and you can
readily get parts for both -- which you'll almost certainly need at
some point in the future. Come to think of it I don't know anyone who
matters who doesn't use one or the other. ;-)

Actually I've just bought a Hakko 936 (arrived yesterday) to replace
my 15yo WTCPS -- $199 inc GST compared to the current Weller at $189
(from a trade source).

The Hakko is variable temperature whereas the Weller isn't. The
Weller has a bigger range of tips which are quite a bit cheaper and
probably more readily available. You can also get a floating earth
Hakko for a few more bucks -- for those who have trouble with their
earth leakage detectors throwing out whenever they try to solder. )

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you apply
ROT13.

 

[Mark Hathaway]

Get one of the bronze wool tip cleaners. WES and Jaycar have them, WES have
the hakkos, jaycar maybe too. Rockby here in Victoria have them too.

The bronze wool will save the tip considerably. A hakko tip will last about
2 months of 40 hrs a week when cleaned with a wet sponge, at least twice as
long with a bronze wool cleaner.
The hakko 936 is very reliable, none of my mates or I have had a hakko fail
yet, think i've been using them for 5 years now.


Mark Hathaway



"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqu6hm$27d1p8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...

Thanks Guys.

The Hakko 936 looks like the sort of unit I want.

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"John Harvey" <john4271@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0iv4tvour07hljeh88364djv0ufl9kgvic@4ax.com...
Brenton Spear wrote:

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at
Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering
station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the
same
money?

Hakko or Weller... because they've been around for yonks and you can
readily get parts for both -- which you'll almost certainly need at
some point in the future. Come to think of it I don't know anyone who
matters who doesn't use one or the other. ;-)

Actually I've just bought a Hakko 936 (arrived yesterday) to replace
my 15yo WTCPS -- $199 inc GST compared to the current Weller at $189
(from a trade source).

The Hakko is variable temperature whereas the Weller isn't. The
Weller has a bigger range of tips which are quite a bit cheaper and
probably more readily available. You can also get a floating earth
Hakko for a few more bucks -- for those who have trouble with their
earth leakage detectors throwing out whenever they try to solder. )

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you
apply
ROT13.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Mark Hathaway" <

Get one of the bronze wool tip cleaners. WES and Jaycar have them, WES
have
the hakkos, jaycar maybe too. Rockby here in Victoria have them too.

The bronze wool will save the tip considerably. A hakko tip will last
about
2 months of 40 hrs a week when cleaned with a wet sponge, at least twice
as
long with a bronze wool cleaner.

** My experience has been rather better than that - several years life
from one tip is easily possible with 4-5 hours daily use in repair business
situation.

The hakko 936 is very reliable, none of my mates or I have had a hakko
fail
yet, think i've been using them for 5 years now.

** I have used one of the older 926 stations and two of the 900M irons for
about 9 years now.

The things are unbreakable and show no signs *whatever* of quitting any
time soon.

Those dopes at Hakko have no idea how to make money - just how to make
soldering irons.





........... Phil

 

[Brenton Spear]

Thanks Mark.

I have emailed rockby to get a price on both items.

Brenton

"Mark Hathaway" <markhathawayREMOVEME@bigblue.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqupo6$kpc$1@news.ausix.net...

Get one of the bronze wool tip cleaners. WES and Jaycar have them, WES
have
the hakkos, jaycar maybe too. Rockby here in Victoria have them too.

The bronze wool will save the tip considerably. A hakko tip will last
about
2 months of 40 hrs a week when cleaned with a wet sponge, at least twice
as
long with a bronze wool cleaner.
The hakko 936 is very reliable, none of my mates or I have had a hakko
fail
yet, think i've been using them for 5 years now.


Mark Hathaway



"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqu6hm$27d1p8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...
Thanks Guys.

The Hakko 936 looks like the sort of unit I want.

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"John Harvey" <john4271@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0iv4tvour07hljeh88364djv0ufl9kgvic@4ax.com...
Brenton Spear wrote:

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at
Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering
station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the
same
money?

Hakko or Weller... because they've been around for yonks and you can
readily get parts for both -- which you'll almost certainly need at
some point in the future. Come to think of it I don't know anyone who
matters who doesn't use one or the other. ;-)

Actually I've just bought a Hakko 936 (arrived yesterday) to replace
my 15yo WTCPS -- $199 inc GST compared to the current Weller at $189
(from a trade source).

The Hakko is variable temperature whereas the Weller isn't. The
Weller has a bigger range of tips which are quite a bit cheaper and
probably more readily available. You can also get a floating earth
Hakko for a few more bucks -- for those who have trouble with their
earth leakage detectors throwing out whenever they try to solder. )

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you
apply
ROT13.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au>

Thanks Mark.

I have emailed rockby to get a price on both items.

Brenton

** I can also vouch for Rockby - they are fine folk to deal with.

Bit like visiting a family operated corner store.




........... Phil

 

[Ross Herbert]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 08:50:03 +0800, "Bill" <Bgates@microsoft.com>
wrote:

Anyone know where these would be available in Perth ?

Bill, this place stocks Hakko in Perth.
http://www.computronics.com.au/tools/

Ross H

 

[David L. Jones]

"Phil Allison" <philallison@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message news:<3fd2f9ba$0$20482$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>...

"Mark Hathaway"

Get one of the bronze wool tip cleaners. WES and Jaycar have them, WES
have
the hakkos, jaycar maybe too. Rockby here in Victoria have them too.

The bronze wool will save the tip considerably. A hakko tip will last
about
2 months of 40 hrs a week when cleaned with a wet sponge, at least twice
as
long with a bronze wool cleaner.


** My experience has been rather better than that - several years life
from one tip is easily possible with 4-5 hours daily use in repair business
situation.


The hakko 936 is very reliable, none of my mates or I have had a hakko
fail
yet, think i've been using them for 5 years now.


** I have used one of the older 926 stations and two of the 900M irons for
about 9 years now.

The things are unbreakable and show no signs *whatever* of quitting any
time soon.

Those dopes at Hakko have no idea how to make money - just how to make
soldering irons.

I agree also, the 926/936 is a great iron. Last forever if you take
care of them.
However, we have production operators at work using dozens of 936's
all day, and they get the crap beat of them by being handled all the
time, pluged and unplugged, constantly wheeled around on trolleys etc.
As a consequence we have a cupboard full of ruined 936's, and they go
through them pretty quickly, not uncommon for an operator to go
through a few a year. The front panel connector is one of the first
things to go, closely followed by the irons themselves, and then the
occasional base unit. Metcals seem to last a heck of a lot longer,
almost unbreakable under the same circumstances, but cost more though.

Dave

 

[Brenton Spear]

What version of the 936 should I get, standard or ESD?

I wont be working on anything that is live at the time, just projects, etc.

What do you guys think? There is about $60 difference between the two (which
I dont mind paying) if it is worthwile.

Brenton

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:bqtmgj$259mt8$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de...

I want to buy a soldering station and the three that I have seen at Jaycar
are the Duratech, Goot & the programmable digital LCD soldering station.
(Do
a search on 'soldering station' on their website)

Which one of these is the one to buy or is there a better one for the same
money?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com

 

[John Harvey]

Brenton Spear wrote:

What version of the 936 should I get, standard or ESD?

I wont be working on anything that is live at the time, just projects, etc.

In which case you almost certainly don't need the ESD. Most of us
have gotten by without ever having the option.

What do you guys think? There is about $60 difference between the two (which
I dont mind paying) if it is worthwile.

If ever the need does arise you might consider putting the extra $60
towards a mains isolation transformer, which can be used to float the
iron or the job. Most times it's more prudent to float the job.

--
John H

Hotmail is a spam trap, wbuauneirl@ovtcbaq.pbz will reach me if you apply ROT13.

 

[David L. Jones]

"Brenton Spear" <abuse@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message news:<br091h$26sbhu$1@ID-105680.news.uni-berlin.de>...

What version of the 936 should I get, standard or ESD?

I wont be working on anything that is live at the time, just projects, etc.

What do you guys think? There is about $60 difference between the two (which
I dont mind paying) if it is worthwile.

Brenton

Save your 60 bucks and go for the standard version.
If you have a proper ESD bench setup you won't really have to worry about your iron.
Better yet, spend the 60 bucks on an exhaust fan and filter to protect your health.

Regards
Dave