Not a complete soldering iron and doesn't include a tip so definitely not for everyone but approx. $100 off the normal price for those who may be interested. It's strange to see a genuine Hakko product with such a big discount so this may be a price error however I just bought one and all seemed fine so fingers crossed!
Price is from the website via the link. Pretty sure this is only for the yellow & blue FM-203 (or similar) stations, not for classic stations like the 936.
Someone explain to me how this plus the $600 unit you need to run it is better than daddy's Dick Smith or whatever unit from back in the day?
We actually use them in manufacturing and the temperature control is a lot more precise on sensitive electronics and PCB materials.
For most home users this is irrelevant.
You can get a cheap soldering iron station 936 on ebay for $100
Comparing them is similar to comparing a top of the range Toyota and a low-to-mid range Lexus… they're basically the same thing but one is just a little more refined and with that unfortunately comes a crazy high price :( Whether those refinements will be a benefit to you and/or how you use your iron is totally subjective. I have used many, many irons for many purposes over the last 25-30 years from an old Hakko 936 (still going!) through to the $17 Hakko rip-offs sold by HobbyKing a few years ago and in recent years the TS-80 & TS-100 and I love them all but nothing has the feel & ultimate control of a decent Hakko Station for 24/7 workbench use which is what I'm now looking down the barrel of as I potentially turn my hobby into my income. To anyone not wanting to spend more than $100-$200 on a soldering iron (which is more than ample for the majority of purposes) I highly recommend you never use your friends Hakko Station because once you do you'll be itching to get yourself one :)
To anyone not wanting to spend more than $100-$200 on a soldering iron (which is more than ample for the majority of purposes) I highly recommend you never use your friends Hakko Station because once you do you'll be itching to get yourself one :)
I doubt it..
I think most home users will be happy with a cheapo 936 station (i.e. toyota) on ebay for approx $100 (even if they have tried the hakko)
I second this.. I've had a fake hakko ripoff made by Digitech that's been going for 15 years now… Just bought a desoldering station that also happens to have a soldering iron in the same style as the 936 from AliExpress for$60….
Plus I have a dick Smith soldering iron from the 90s which is still going… Hakko is just brand porn, but it's more difficult to impress logical nerds with brands. I still voted this up as a deal though haha
First it is better, but the price tag is bullshit. (meaning overall price for a complete setup)
With these the tip and heating element is a single piece, meaning better temperature control and regulation as well as overall thermal performance and thermal recovery.
It's hard to imagine there could be such a difference, but i came from a Hakko FX-888D to a JBC station and the difference was notable during regular soldering, but incredible when I had some PCBs with massive thick power planes.
Not everyone needs one of these, but they're nice to have and those that need it really need it.
Depending on the cartridge price I'm a little interested myself.
There are a few open source soldering station controllers that can be bought cheaply to drive this thing.
Something I'll be looking into.
Oh yes, I can't agree more about the price… urgh. I'm in the process of hunting & gathering a full suite of service gear to kit out my new workshop space (the first in far too long) and although it's a heck of a lot of money it's also just one of those 'blips' in the cash timeline of life and will fade into insignificance in no time. Do I absolutely need a full Hakko setup? Of course not but it's going to be super-nice to have & use :) I'll still be keeping all my other irons too because like knives, flush-cut sidecutters and those one or two commonly used screwdrivers you can never have enough!
Personally i'm kinda feeling Hakko have great stuff, but are resting a bit.
Consider JBC and Pace as alternatives.
I think Weller were only ever basic and have reportedly gone down hill.
On further inspection though a complete 951 station is cheaper than a JBC CD-B, so maybe stick with Hakko?
@virtual81: Yeah. I've already purchased all the Hakko gear (FM-203, FM-204, this extra handpiece + a few tips/nozzles) as I couldn't justify the equivalent JBC… it's more than twice the price! Gotta draw the line somewhere.
OP Where are you getting those prices from?
Can this be added to an old school 936?