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New tools for the workbench

x2turbo

x2turbo

Well-Known Member
I picked up a couple things for an upcoming project. I'm going to replace all the caps in a Marantz 2216 and didn't want to have to deal with desolder braid anymore and wanted to upgrade from my Radio Shack soldering iron.

So I got a Hakko 808 desolder gun with a built in pump and a FX-951 soldering iron. I've read quite a few promising reviews on the 808 here and the FX-951 also seems to be pretty well reviewed, just not a lot of info here.

I'll post my thoughts after my recap project.

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Nice stuff, I think the new Hakko colors would grow on a guy.:scratch2:
I use a Hakko iron and like it.:thmbsp:
 
I don't ever have to worry about not being able to find in the clutter that always seems to find my benchtop.
 
+1 on the Hakko 808! I just used mine for the first time this week... amazing piece of kit! Never tried braid or solder-suckers... and now I never want to.

700-800 deg C?? Are you sure you don't mean deg F? I tried 350 deg C on my iron (not a hakko), and it seemed to work pretty good putting in a resistor...
 
4seatPilot said:
+1 on the Hakko 808! I just used mine for the first time this week... amazing piece of kit! Never tried braid or solder-suckers... and now I never want to.

700-800 deg C?? Are you sure you don't mean deg F? I tried 350 deg C on my iron (not a hakko), and it seemed to work pretty good putting in a resistor...
Click to expand...

LOL. yeah, that's be pretty hot. F, sorry.
 
x2turbo said:
What is the best temp to run the solder iron at for PCB work?
Click to expand...

I work around 725 F, in 'n out quick.

I should really look into one of those desolder kits, workin' on way too many units these days. It looks kinda big though, does it fit into tight spots?
 
The first time I used my Hakko 808 I had to look to see if it actually did anything, it wasn't until the cap fell off the PCB I knew it was magic.
 
A good station really makes things easier. I love the organization of the nut drivers and screwdrivers as well, very neatly kept.
 
LOL, I was bored one day so I starting drilling holes in some scrap maple and that's what I ended up with. Does make it easier to find them though instead of them rolling around in a drawer.
 
I have a Hakko 808. Great unit, will go most anywhere a soldering iron will go. I also have one of their older soldering stations, good stuff.
 
I have to agree, the Hakko 808 is a wonderful tool. I use the heck out of mine and there are very few places you can't get it into.

Tom
 
Just recapped my first amp board and I gotta say everyone is right about the 808. It works like magic. Place it over the pin, wait ~1sec and pull the trigger and ALL the solder is gone. The caps just come right off the board.

The FX-951 rocks as well. With the pen in the holder it is in sleep mode, reduced temp to save the life of the tip, and upon removing it from the holder it's back to temp within a matter of seconds. The connecting cord is light and very flexible and doesn't hinder the pen in any way. I'm so glad that I decided to get both of these units. Prior to this my soldering skills weren't that good. Now with the right tools I'm actually confident with what I'm doing.

MONEY WELL SPENT!!!
 
Without sounding too much like a fanboy.


I started using a Hakko 926 in the early 80's. I think Hakko was pretty new to American shores at that time and Weller was the king. I was getting dissapointed with Weller's floundering quality with their new products and needed an iron. The Hakko 926 was available at Al Lasher's Electronics in Berkeley and I thought to myself, "uh oh, a Japanese wannbe Weller iron". I took a chance and immediately fell in love with Hakko. It wasn't just better than the Weller WTCP's I was using, it blew them out of the water. I considered the WTCP's good. Much better than the then current Weller line. So it was worlds better than the newer Weller stuff.

Since then, I've used Metcal, OKI, Pace, Oryx, Wahl, etc. Nothing has bested my lowly 926 (Except Metcal for surface mounted stuff) and I still have the same iron on my home bench. It has NEVER failed me.

Fanboy gushing off.
 
I'm very happy with these Hakko products. They really work great and the customer service I've received from B&D Enterprises, where I bought them has been even better. I was chatting with Dean this morning regarding picking up a stand for the 808 and some additional tips and another nozzle and he told me to email him the order number and he'd throw in free shipping. Can't ask for more than that.

I mentioned that I was a member of AK and it looks like he's going to get a hold of Grumpy to become a sponsor and possibly be at the upcoming AK Fest.

No affiliation, just a happy customer.
 
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