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looking to upgrade. Suggestions?

from what? wellers are ok but seem to break down more often than hakko from my experiance. i have a hakko 936 which has been amazing so far. i have a hakko clone that has also been ok but the heating element burnt out once (in about 4 years), easy enough to repair though.

I have one of the cheapies from the Xytronic line. I think it was $60. Totally love it. A tip lasts about 50 pedals.

If you want something super simple, the Weller W60P would be great. It's not a station, but it -is- temperature controlled (something to with magnets-- I dunno). You buy your tip based on the temperature and shape you want. I've been thinking of picking one up as a spare. The problem is, not being a station means the iron is pretty fat and the cord is thick and heavy. I'd suggest the WP35 iron, which is a bit cheaper, but 850F is just too hot, IMO.

If you want a station, the Weller WES51 and Hakko FX808 are pretty similar (the 808 is the new version of the 931). The pencils are still just as long as the non-station irons, but they're thinner and more comfortable. There are also cheaper equivalents. Allegedly not built as well the real thing, but the basics are the same and they should work just as well (most reviews seem to say they do).

Sparkfun also sells a 70 watt station that is supposed to be equivalent to the Hakko FX-951. Much smaller pencil, heats up in 10 seconds. And the tips are made in a way where you can just pull one out and stick a new one in (they include a little heat-resistant pad for that). The Hakko, you just removed the grip and stick a new one in-- no pad required, but you do have to buy the the little grips. The Weller equivalent is a bit fancier (so it's more expensive-- but the tips are a lot cheaper). The Hakko ones will heat up faster. Being able to remove tips really quick lets you keep a couple of different shapes/sizes, so instead of compromising with an "all around" tip, you can use a different tip for different tasks. And, again, the small pencils are fantastic and let you work more accurately in small areas.

They get more expensive from there, like Metcal and such, and Hakko and Weller both make more expensive stations... but yeah.

If I had to recommend something, I'd recommend the cheaper station (which used to be a Hakko clone, but they changed the looks) or the 70 watt one at Sparkfun. If you're a whore for simplicity (or just desk space), the Weller W60P would be neat.

... that was way more detailed than it needed to be. But I already typed it, so nyeh.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40- ... B000AS28UC

only thing I've ever used

culturejam wrote:I have one of the cheapies from the Xytronic line. I think it was $60. Totally love it. A tip lasts about 50 pedals.

50 pedals?! I'll probably jinx myself but I have had the same tip on my xytronics hakko clone for 4 years and use it every day all day.
The same size tip fits on my Hakko 936 and I have been using that for a few months so far.
I use a brass tip cleaner which is far better than a wet sponge. (no cool down warm up each tip cleaning).

John Lyons wrote:I use a brass tip cleaner which is far better than a wet sponge. (no cool down warm up each tip cleaning).

I use a homemade diy cleaner out of steel wool. works like a charm - I don't like the brass tip cleaners... I just can't work them properly..

John Lyons wrote:50 pedals?! I'll probably jinx myself but I have had the same tip on my xytronics hakko clone for 4 years and use it every day all day.

I was just pulling a number out of my ass. I don't build like a machine like I used to (mostly I just populate prototype boards and occasionally build a full pedal), but yeah the first tip lasted me like 3 years. And I accidentally left it on overnight about 10 times. Had I not done that, I think it would still be going strong.

The shitty RadioShack irons I used to use were the worst. The tips would last about 5 pedals, no shit.

I have the cheapest Weller station and am happy with it. I've had the wands go down and need replacement after coarse handling during moves -- they are fragile-ish and the heating element is gone when it gets hurt. I wrapped the wand in bubble wrap for the last and longest move and it was just fine after.

I never killed my first RS iron, but I'm surprised it never killed me. Ol' Shakey seemed to put all the heat in the handle.

weller WES51 for me. i've been using it for a few years now and i've changed the tip only once or twice - it wasn't really that bad at all, i just wanted a smaller one. i'm thinking i may upgrade in the new year for a station with a smaller pencil though.

Using a Hakko FX888 right now and couldn't be happier with it.
Weller WES51 is also pretty popular.

Schlatte wrote:

John Lyons wrote:I use a brass tip cleaner which is far better than a wet sponge. (no cool down warm up each tip cleaning).

I use a homemade diy cleaner out of steel wool. works like a charm - I don't like the brass tip cleaners... I just can't work them properly..

You wipe the tip on it, or stab the tip into it. It's not rocket surgery.

I know, but somehow I always end up pulling the whole thing out of its holder thingy... but the steel wool works like a charm!

I have one of these, and am pretty happy with it, huge upgrade from my old radio shack unit