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Hakko FX-888D

chopnhack

Apr 28, 2014
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I am looking to buy a soldering station. Does anyone have experience with the Hakko FX-888D? I also have the ability to buy a Weller 51 analog or digital, but I read several recent QC issues with the wellers that have lead me to look elsewhere. Can anyone recommend tips to purchase for general soldering as well as narrow pitch smd drag soldering techniques.

TIA
 

OLIVE2222

Oct 2, 2011
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For the narrow pitch soldering Weller have "gullwing" tip with a small cavity who help to regulate the solder flow, it's handy. Don't know if Hakko offer this kind of tips.
Olivier
 

KJ6EAD

Aug 13, 2011
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The Weller PES51 handpiece tends to melt it's handle after a while. The similarly sized Hakko FX-8801 handle does not.
 

pyromaniac4382

Feb 7, 2013
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If you can wait it out, the FX-888D goes on sale every now and then. I got mine for $60 which was a great deal. I rather have the FX-888 to finly adjust the temperature, but the pre-set method is just as good. I have mine pre-set to Celsius, and this does well on 5 pre-sets between 300-400. (300,325,350,375,400). The thermal recovery is very good on the 888D, but that is compared to my terrible Stahl Tools SSVT iron station which was a quick $15. The separate base unit and iron stand is convenient. Tips are available off of Ebay for very cheap, in all different styles. If you can think of it they have it. Half of the battle with a soldering iron is the tips. For general soldering, and well out of laziness I normally use a wedge tip for everything. Tips are easy to change though, you just have to wait for it to cool down because it keeps its heat so well! On mine it takes roughly 30 seconds to heat to 300 Celsius which is amazing compared to the 5 minutes on my old cheap-o iron. I would recommend highly Hakko is a trusted brand when it comes to soldering irons.
 

chopnhack

Apr 28, 2014
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If you can wait it out, the FX-888D goes on sale every now and then. I got mine for $60 which was a great deal. I rather have the FX-888 to finly adjust the temperature, but the pre-set method is just as good. I have mine pre-set to Celsius, and this does well on 5 pre-sets between 300-400. (300,325,350,375,400). The thermal recovery is very good on the 888D, but that is compared to my terrible Stahl Tools SSVT iron station which was a quick $15. The separate base unit and iron stand is convenient. Tips are available off of Ebay for very cheap, in all different styles. If you can think of it they have it. Half of the battle with a soldering iron is the tips. For general soldering, and well out of laziness I normally use a wedge tip for everything. Tips are easy to change though, you just have to wait for it to cool down because it keeps its heat so well! On mine it takes roughly 30 seconds to heat to 300 Celsius which is amazing compared to the 5 minutes on my old cheap-o iron. I would recommend highly Hakko is a trusted brand when it comes to soldering irons.

Pyro, who did you get your unit from at that price!? Agreed, its very well worth the wait!! I understand the utility of one good tip, but sometimes you may need a specialty, I was thinking of one chisel and maybe one knife edge tip for smd. Curious to hear where you got your unit from :)
 

pyromaniac4382

Feb 7, 2013
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Tip styles for the unit can be seen here, http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d_tips.html#productNav

Just checked my order history. It was through Frys.com, and it was actually $69.99 and I had a coupon code that brought it down to $60.

I had to wait months to get it because it was on back-order forever.

This is from my email from Fry's.

Qty Item Description Amount
*******************************************************************************
1 7550776 HAKKO FX-888D STATION DIGITAL, ESD-SAFE $69.99
 
Last edited:

chopnhack

Apr 28, 2014
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Cool, thanks - not familiar with Frys. I will do some research and see if there is any regularity to their sales. Thanks again :)
 
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