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Soldering Station

Posted: 29 Jul 2009, 16:24
by Ripdivot
Just wondering what the experts here are using for a lead free soldering station? We are looking to buy a few more at work. We currently use the Hakko 936 stations and they are OK for the money but I was wondering if there is something better? Here is the link to the 936:

http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_936.html

Re: Soldering Station

Posted: 30 Jul 2009, 02:59
by noirengineer
why worry about being lead-free in first place? :oops:

Re: Soldering Station

Posted: 30 Jul 2009, 18:00
by Ripdivot
I work for a company called Dingwall Guitars (dingwallguitars.com)and we ship to countries that are lead free only. We are only a few years away from everywhere being lead free because of the RoHS initiative.

Re: Soldering Station

Posted: 30 Jul 2009, 18:41
by JiM
A friend of mine recently bought a Metcal soldering station, especially for lead-free application, and he likes it a lot.
I think it's this model : http://www.okinternational.com/product_soldering/ps_900 or maybe the smaller one.
http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/s ... ct/PS-900/
It's induction-based, so it's hot in a few seconds. The temperature is regulated inside the tip, there are tips for various temperatures, including lead-free solder. No need for temperature adjustment ! It might be the right tool if you solder for short periods but all along the day, and change often from tiny coil wires to heavy ground-at-the-back-of-the-pot soldering.
I've never tried it myself, though.

Re: Soldering Station

Posted: 30 Jul 2009, 20:54
by Ripdivot
Thanks Jim, I will have a look at that one. We have soldering irons on all day every day building pickups.

Re: Soldering Station

Posted: 28 Mar 2011, 04:00
by bigmufffuzzwizz
I have that Hakko and love it. I would recommend it to anyone new or advanced in soldering. A few people in my class followed me and got one and they all love theirs!