Soldering station suggestions please.

[TheQsanity]

I am wanting to put together the ErgoDox.
_{Hopefully I don't mess up ><}

[mistakemistake]

I would recommend a weller wes51 or hakko888 for that. Less than $100 for either of those irons on amazon.  You don't need a hot air rework station for assembly work.

Keep in mind you'll need other things to go with your iron, ie solder, solder wick, ...

[TheQsanity]

So what I have is a little overkill?

Is X-Tronic inferior in anyway?
_{For example dying in a year.}

[mistakemistake]

So what I have is a little overkill?

Is X-Tronic inferior in anyway?
_{For example dying in a year.}

Maybe overkill isn't the right word... but there isn't really a need for the hot air portion. I'm a firm believer of 'you get what you pay for'. I don't doubt that the irons you were looking at could do the job, but you can get a quality entry level industrial iron that's much better and for less.

[WhiteFireDragon]

You won't ever need hot air for keyboard related stuff.

I have a Aoyue, but a higher end model than the ones linked.

[mkawa]

litster also has an aoyue. he had mixed reviews of it iirc; basically, hot air good, iron bad. but, like wfd said, most keyboard work is through-hole because of the switches

[Zalusithix]

Thats also multiple times more expensive than my hakko

Bit late to this, but yeah, the Weller WX series is a lot more expensive than the Hakko 888D. Even more so considering that's the dual channel version. (Though not as expensive as the desoldering capable version.)

I ended up opting for the single channel WX only because of the promotion giving away a free extra tool with the purchase of the base unit. Helped take a little bit of the sting out of the price.

[mistakemistake]

Thats also multiple times more expensive than my hakko

Bit late to this, but yeah, the Weller WX series is a lot more expensive than the Hakko 888D. Even more so considering that's the dual channel version. (Though not as expensive as the desoldering capable version.)

I ended up opting for the single channel WX only because of the promotion giving away a free extra tool with the purchase of the base unit. Helped take a little bit of the sting out of the price.

Awesome, great iron!

[rknize]

I would definitely recommend the WES51 over the WLC100.  I have the older version of the WES51, the WS51.  There is nothing like a properly temp-controlled iron for doing any kind of PCB work.  There is less risk of cooking the board and yet tip temp recovery is way faster.  I don't have the Hakko 888, but it is priced similar and works just as well from what I understand.

My WS51 also has auto-shut off, which is great for me since I am notorious for leaving the thing on.

[RickyJ]

My setup:
1) Weller WES-51 with several tips, has served me perfectly since 2004 with regular use
2) Hakko 808 desoldering pump, can't say enough good things about this unit
3) Chinese-made SMT rework station with proper diaphragm air pump (fans in handles are silly), hot air works very well

Until last year I did everything with my WES-51 and a Soldapult/braid, including simple SMT.  Best bang for your buck, imo.  I can't speak for the Hakko 888 station, other than it looks too much like it belongs in a Little Tykes catalog.

[Strelok]

I was recommended this on another forum.

Is it decent?

[yasuo]

How to Desolder pump with heat,what good?

[bazemk1979]

How to Desolder pump with heat,what good?

the cheapest option of good quality industrial grade would be Hakko 808 around $180, another industrial grade pump iron with bulb would be the Weller DS 40 $100, these 2 are industrial grade and they cost a bit more money. But if you are on the lookout like I'm you'll always land on something nice and new for way cheaper. I landed on rebranded Weller DS40 AKA Wall Lenk DS 40 made in 1985 with plastic box... http://www.ebay.com/itm/251198860402?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_2366wt_1399 , accessories and assortment of 9 tips for $29 shipped, this desolder iron considering with all the extras should cost around $130....

Anyways here is the cheapest option for desoldering joint holes RadioShack!!! cheap, but works good!!!!!!!!!!! just buy extra tips, buy 5 or 10 extra tips they wear off somewhat fast, if your little pushy like me they wear off faster if not then they will last but not too long anyways, wont last not as long as the weller tips.

Here is RadioShack option:

RadioShack Iron desolder: http://www.ebay.com/itm/360667219870?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1229wt_1399

RadioShack tips for the desolder iron: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161055596335?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1845wt_1399


 

[tjcaustin]

I was recommended this on another forum.

Is it decent?

And this is what?

[bueller]

Just ordered this, it's the same one that they sell on Sparkfun so I'll check in and let you guys know how it goes as they are priced pretty nicely.