Wasted $60 on a cheap soldering station and learned my lesson

Honestly I bought this no-name soldering station off eBay for $60 about 4 months ago. The temperature control was way off, like it would say 350 but actually be closer to 500 degrees. Fried two expensive logic boards before I figured out it was the iron, not me. Ended up buying a Hakko FX-888D for $100 and it's night and day difference. Anyone else get burned by cheap tools like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

avery3664d ago

Hakko is the way to go for sure, but $60 for a cheap station isn't the worst - the real scam is the $30 ones that can't even hold the tip tight. Temperature control on those no-names is honestly a gamble, like you said the display is just for show. Usually the Hakko 888D goes for around $99 though, not $100, but close enough. At least you got one now.

logansullivan4d agoRising Star

Best trick I've found with those cheap stations is to actually crank the temp to max for a minute before turning it down to where you need it. That gets the thermal mass moving and the tip stays hot enough to actually melt solder when you start. The Hakko 888D is solid though, just make sure to clean the tip regularly before storing it.