Best Adjustable Wattage Soldering Station?

[lostonthetrails]

I'm looking to get a new soldering iron for my tool bench that I'm going to be building soon, and my cheap-o chinese one has had it. Looking into soldering Irons, I noticed everyone used either Weller, Hakko, or Team Checkpoint/TrakPower Stations. I think that Weller is the only one that offers Adjustable wattage, but I might be missing something, so I hope that someone could help me. I want to spend around $80, but really need to stay under $100. Thanks.

 

[Tossedman]

I love my Hakko!

 

[lostonthetrails]

I love my Hakko!

Which one is it? The ones I looked at were the FX-888 and the 936. I'd be open to Adjustable Temp, but as far as I seen in my research, people liked adjustable wattage better.

 

[drzoo2]

If it's a quality iron, it will due it's best to maintain the set point temperature by pushing as much "Wattage" as it's capable, when the temperature deviates.

Good solder joints require an accurate temperature of around 750F. Find a good quality iron that regulates based on temperature.

I have a Hakko FX951 on my lab bench. It's not my favorite iron from all of the ones I've used through the years. Honestly, I like the older Hakkos better. The handle tends to get hot from radiant heat from the iron when used for an extended time. The older irons had a larger handle that blocked some of the heat.

If you can find it, this is the best iron I've ever used. Bar none. Tips are expensive but worth it.
JBC AD2700

I own this iron. Before you here the click from turning it on, it's ready to solder.

 

[lostonthetrails]

Thanks for the info. I'll consider those too. After reading into adjustable temperature soldering stations in more detail, I think that's the way to go. Still undecided on which station but I'm sure I'll find something soon.

 

[Tossedman]

Which one is it? The ones I looked at were the FX-888 and the 936. I'd be open to Adjustable Temp, but as far as I seen in my research, people liked adjustable wattage better.

Mine's an older 936. It's got all the heat I've wanted and then some. What do you want to solder?

 

[nharkey85]

Ive been using an adjustable temp unit from radio shack. Uses the same tips as the hakko. But as someone posted above, the handle can get a little hot with prolonged use

 

[lostonthetrails]

Mine's an older 936. It's got all the heat I've wanted and then some. What do you want to solder?

A decent variety of things. Right now mostly ESC and Battery wires (12-16AWG). I plan on doing some LED's, Servo Plugs, and Circuit boards. I need a Station that can handle a wide range of Temperatures. I'm currently leaning towards the Hakko FX-888D. I'm sure I'll find something else and bounce back and forth between the two but I have a lot of research ahead.:mrgreen:

 

[Tossedman]

I don't think you'd be disappointed with that soldering station. It'll do all you want.

 

[billy bones]

I recently purchased a TK955 60w TrakPower, I can set the temp at 700°f and solder like a pro.
I may take the advice of drzoo2 and go up to 750°.
From what I can tell to this point is the ability of the equipment to maintain a steady temp, the TK955has a 1.8° variation, make a night and day difference.
I'm no pro but can now solder in ways I never thought possible.
I got my unit for $98, a great deal since I haven't seen them under $109 anywhere else.

 

[oldcoopdog]

I have the variable temp unit from radio shack and it's the best soldering station I've ever used.and has 3 temp memory settings

 

[tedo]

888 works for me everytime.

 

[drzoo2]

Here's a quick video I made with the JBC I mentioned earlier.....

http://www.rczoony.com/drzoo2/web/VIDEO0041-3.m4v

If you can find a used one.....they are out there.

 

[novarider]

If you can wait till this comes back in stock it's a clone of the hakko 936. I have one and it works great. I bought 2 almost 2 years ago just incase the first one died but I have not even had to open the second box. Tips are easy to get and are cheap.

Soldering Station with Adjustable Heat Range (US Warehouse)

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Here's a quick video I made with the JBC I mentioned earlier.....

http://www.rczoony.com/drzoo2/web/VIDEO0041-3.m4v

If you can find a used one.....they are out there.

That's great, but 1. Who wants to buy a used soldering iron? I sure don't. and 2. Even used that's probably above his budget.

 

[drzoo2]

That's great, but 1. Who wants to buy a used soldering iron? I sure don't. and 2. Even used that's probably above his budget.

1) I've seen it around $100 used.
2) This is not the consumer grade equipment.
3) He asked for the best. This blows all of the Hakkos listed so far out of the water. If you can find it

 

[sgtwolf85]

I have a Trakpower soldering station also and it's a life saver. And I run it at about 750 also billy

 

[lostonthetrails]

I have a Trakpower soldering station also and it's a life saver. And I run it at about 750 also billy

That's the other one I was interested in getting. The Hakko FX888D and the TrakPower are the two best in my price range, It all comes down to the quality of the product.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That's the other one I was interested in getting. The Hakko FX888D and the TrakPower are the two best in my price range, It all comes down to the quality of the product.

Since the TrakPower station is a clone of an old Hakko, I'd just stick with Hakko.

 

[lostonthetrails]

Since the TrakPower station is a clone of an old Hakko, I'd just stick with Hakko.

Yeah, I read that somewhere too, wasn't certain it was true. I'm definitely leaning towards the Hakko I said before, I like that it's Digital and I can see what temp it is at. I don't really care for any "special features" but digital over analog is a nice luxury to have. I really just need a good quality soldering iron, and the Hakko is exactly what I need. I think thats what I'll get. Thanks for everyone's help.