Hakko FX951 Professional Thermally Controlled Soldering Station & Soldering Iron with Tip Set Kit – Compact 75W High Power - Interchangeable Composite Tips – 91 Varieties (5 Included) - UK Plug

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Check the display after switching to the soldering iron number for the soldering iron that does not get hot. I'd get a decent soldering iron and spend the money you save on components and other test equipment. I have the analog FX-888 and the only iron I've personally owned that came close was an old Antex and that is probably more fond memories than reality. I used a station that took an actual 30 seconds to warm up (which I say because I actually timed it) - a cheap 45-50W Velleman re-badge. Also available is the FM2032 micro soldering iron for more intricate designs and smaller components and the FM2026 nitrogen soldering iron which allows for a more efficient work flow.

This Hakko FX-951 was my first soldering iron with regulated temperature control, now that I’ve experienced it, no going back to an uncontrolled iron. It definitely takes about twice as long, but that greater mass in the tip is working FOR you once it reaches temp. Now I keep using my Weller's for large through-hole soldering, and am trying out T12 clone station for small SMT work. I had the opportunity to do a lot of production soldering of the same exact things I do with the 888, over a fairly long time period of 2 full months.Perhaps the components to solder selected by the seller not where the best option, but all connectors that I did solder with the Pace at showroom took the same time and effort than with the 951 and most the same time than the 888D. A production solderer solders in a day what a repair guy does in a month; not that I have to solder multilayer mobos with a micro pencil-dick tip; different needs, for sure. The T12 clone takes less than 10 seconds, like you also noted, and the element is fused with the tip (like you well know), so the lag is much, much smaller and thermal regulation is unsurprisingly better.

although they have a slightly different focus: professional electronic engineering and electronic repair, respectively, whereas I am more of casual hobbyist. I considered that a good solder stations have the sufficient thermal control to set it to any temperature (not too high) an solder anything.I would recommend the unit, it heats up incredibly fast, and the controls are easy to use, the iron holder is heavy and very solid, as is the control unit and the iron cord is nice and long. Quote from: Tarloth on September 03, 2019, 06:24:23 pm I go for the option of a 951 or a new Metcal without any doubt. I'm not a fan of the digital interface on the 888d either and I agree it's hideously ugly although it's a tool so whatever. The Sensor is housed in the tip allowing the station to respond almost instantly to temperature changes as you solder and maintaining the highest levels of performance. It uses a special handpiece made of aluminum and the station and stand are all metal construction nothing matches it for a couple of hundred bucks.