Technology is always changing so I decided to start a new thread. I'm gonna be buying a soldering station soon and wondering what's the latest and greatest? I was just reading about the trakpower 950 and hakko 936 but that thread was 5 years old. Are they still a couple of "go to tools" and of the "best burn for the buck" quality?

Both of those are great. I have the trakpower going on 2 years now (and solder a lot ) and it's still working perfect.

The main thing is if you want to get good at it read the thread below. Good 63/37 solder is a must and flux is key!

http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...ef-lesson.html

Yeah I've been doing a lot of soldering lately as I start to get deeper in the hobby. I have 7 vehicles that I'm always tinkering with. I had a soldering pencil that I bought from the hobbytown but it's already worn out the tip and it's only a 30 watt. It gets the job done but I think it's time I step up to something more suitable for what I'm doing. I don't want to damage a motor or esc with a shitty iron. Also, if any of yall have one for sale, let me know. I have an ad posted in the WTB section.

The trakpower is the old hakko.
So its a good station but outdated. Hakko has a new one the fx888d. If you want a hakko make sure you buy one from a factory authorized dealer. You can look them up on hakko's website. The reason is because the fx888d is being cloned and sold on sites like aliexpress but theyre cheap chinese knockoffs.

This seller will sell them for $85 shipped and possibly less. I purchased from them. They are an authorized dealer.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/271742367692?nav=SEARCH

Might be but I'm not sold on it. Regardless, a "quality" "high end" soldering station is well worth the investment. I know, some say they do just fine with the cheap "no name" pencil Irons but there really is a difference. You might not see it right away, but eventually you will. I bought my Hakko 936 5 yrs ago. With the proper care the original tip still looks like new. Opinions vary but that's mine.

I just bought the Hakko 888 earlier today from a guy on here. Looking forward to trying it out

With proper care soldering iron or station can last a long time - my 18 year old unger unit just died. Can't believe I have to buy a new iron. Thought it would last forever.

I just bought the Hakko FX888-D which is the replacement of the 936 for 89.99. And I like it.

This is so true. My unit is 20 yo and still going strong. I use it 2-3 times a week. Wish they still made this unit. So compact and powerful.

Had my Checkpoint (Hakko clone before Trakpower) soldering station for about 5 years now and really like it. Have used to heck out of it and it was able to desolder stock Viper esc wires without crying.

I have the trakpower and I love it. Not saying it's better than another but it does what I need

I have the FX888d and it is awesome, but when I first got it I had some issues, and the seller told me how to reboot it, and now it is fine. I like how you can use one to soften Loctite on a screw to loosen it. I have these drive shafts and they were kicking my butt, then I fired up the soldering iron, stuck the tip to the screw head for a minute, and out she came.

Had an ungar sice I was a kid and it died but and track power is way to go

I reall like my FX888d, works great!

Check out Jason's video on soldering stations/irons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4sqsvIIVAE