WindDrake

iTrader: (13)

Those Kendall/Ayoue/Quakko/Etc units are all Hakko clones. Decent enough for clones. The Kendall models seem to be built a little better then the last generation (Ayoue).

I've got a Hakko 937 Clone. Works great. Though, it's no Weller WD2, which is what I use at work. The WP80 irons are fantastic.

mdwalsh

iTrader: (29)

i have a trackpower, its a fantastic soldering iron... i use it a lot when im at the track doing my own stuff and a lot of other peoples! i know 3 others that have this iron and they all love it. a few guys i know have the checkpoint which is the same iron, and a few others have the hakko. none of them have any complaints and they do anything we ask them too

Matt

zipperfoot

iTrader: (16)

I second the Trakpower. I have told several people that the best RC purchase I ever made, and were talking cars, radios, tools, everything... was this soldering station.

z50king

iTrader: (14)

I have been reading reviews of different models and brands on nerdy forums. Most of them say the hakko fx 888 is a great station, and not just a great station for the money...

The teackpower and check point are hakko 936 copies and have garbage board configurations.

I will be buying a fx888 soon from ebay. They go for 85 new on box. But they don't have the sweet wraps like Amain does. Amain must have bought a shit load of them from a distributor outside America to get the wraps....

racer_guy

iTrader: (5)

just purchases the f888. need some solder to go with it. does it really matter what kind of solder or are some better then others

faze

iTrader: (36)

I use a trakpower tk-950 and it works flawlessly.

racer1812

iTrader: (31)

Hakko, buy the original and not a knock off, end of story. Now or later you'll realize it's worth the money and you could have saved money by buying a quality unit to start.

z50king

iTrader: (14)

I would go with a 63/37 blend, it has a constant melt temp. Lead free needs special tips. Would probably help to have a flux core. If you are doing motor connections and the like, I would suggest a 1mm

elex300

iTrader: (110)

I was thinking of picking up one of these. But im just gonna spend the extra money and get the FX888.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290638780899...84.m1423.l2649

z50king

iTrader: (14)

That is a 936 copy with a temp indicator on it. I have read on the nerdy electronic forums that those have poorly designed and poorly assembled boards

go with the 888. I will be ordering mine today when I get home

yahhoo

iTrader: (10)

I have read somewhere that the trakpower/checkpoint ones are real hakko 936. Cant remember where. and 5 years warranty on the unit is a great thing.

Pulse_

They are exactly the same, the Trakpower just has some decals on it.


+1 for the hakko fx-888, by far the best soldering station for the price. It replaces the 936


IF ONLY WE COULD GET THEM FOR A DECENT PRICE IN EUROPE

Sorry, I had to say it. I wanted to buy one and prices are three times higher than on the US market and I called MANY distributors.

The only decent price was dancap in UK BUT of course they don't send in foreign countries

http://www.selectronic.fr/hakko-stat...lle-fx889.html

199€ = 260$.. you can find it for 80$ in the US

elex300

iTrader: (110)

I bought one of these and it rocks. It solders 10gauge 12 gauge and anything else we use in rc. Soldering an RX8 was a peice of cake. I've used many of the name brand stations and they are good but this thing was so much easier.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wood-Handle-...item2a0fa4559f

parallelfish

That's what I started with. It was too slow and I always had to beware of what I might be melting with the exhaust. Anymore I use it only for heat shrink duty.

I am now a very satisfied Hakko owner.