Anyone use this rework station?

I made some tips for my Craftsman heat gun to concentrate the hot air into a small but high-velocity stream. A variable air-flow rate, as this cloned Hakko tool has, would be preferable so the parts don't get blown away. This thing looks adequate for the job, but I have no experience using it.

Hakko has a decent reputation for selling serviceable but inexpensive soldering tools. Who knows about this GAOYUE Chinese knock-off? The oversized pencil-grip is a plus I think. My Craftsman heat gun with its pistol grip is more suitable for shrinking tubing around wires than fine SMD un-soldering.

Let's see if someone chimes in with some real experience using the product you found.

 

I 'm using this Saike 8858 digital hot air blower.
Very pleased with it for SMD and shrink tubing.
I paid 52$ on Ebay about 2 years ago.

The one you posted looks similar but "all analog control". the price is very good.
Don't know the build quality,probably worth the "risk".
There are many Chinese sticker names for similar products "all-analog" ,"all digital",and "half-halfs".

 

This is pretty much the one I have http://www.ebay.com/itm/858D-SMD-Ho...740874?hash=item3f4cf0104a:g:tRwAAOSwNSxVWYPA. Looks like the one you found but a different color.

It works really well for the price. Heats up quick, and gets the job done. I've never tested how accurate the temperature is but I'm sure it's just about bang on. The nozzles are kinda annoying cause it's just a friction fit, and they feel pretty cheap. The actual gun part thing fit's pretty good in the hand though, so no problem there.

Bottom line: I would totally recommend it for the price.

 

Try this link. Cheaper, and you get four nozzles instead of three. Otherwise appears to be identical.