Would the Weller one be better since it has more watts?

Weller WLC200 80w 120v

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ation-80W-120V

vs.

TrakPower TK950

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...dering-Station

Prety sure that Weller is just a semi-fancy base with a $16 iron. The TrakPower is either a re-badged Hakko 936 or a really good chinese knockoff of a Hakko 936. I have a Hakko 936, and it's wayyy better than that weller. The weller gets just as hot, but's it's just more crude than the Hakko. The cord for the handle on the Hakko is a lot more flexible which makes a lot of difference IMO.

Looks like the $50 modular weller, originally designed by Unger. Had a bunch of em. Great iron the element either lasts years or weeks. At least I had no luck with them.

The inexpensive one does not have the black sleeve on the handle. I would stay away from the wellers.

Yep, Tom is right, I remember now why I switched from the weller to the Hakko, the tips on the weller go bad constantly. You should check out the "how to solder" thread that is stickied at the top of this forum it has a ton of great info about irons. It does mention that the TrakPower is indeed a rebadged Hakko. I'm still on the original tip on mine that I bought in 2004 or 2005, and I abuse it according to that writeup.

hakko fx888 which is the replacement of the hakko 936 soldering station. The trackpower is exactly the same as a Hakko 936 it just uses other stickers




By far the best bang for the buck soldering station, made in japan so nothing compared to a weller.

This was my first high end station and I love it. Buy the larger chisel tip from Amain or elsewhere- makes solder melt like butter even on 10g wire

I have the Weller and it works great. It's a great station for the price.

The Hakko 936 was the industry standard before it was discontinued. If you look under your FX-888, they are made in Malaysia.