Finally got a decent (I think?) cheap soldering iron and a very decent desoldering gun

Tech Talk
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E1ISGH0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KWM69C4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Overkill or loveyoulongtime?

2

The Soldering Iron is Meh, like it does the job. But for the money spent there better alternatives on the low end of the scale.

Now that Hakko Desoldering gun, I am jelly. I can do CPU swaps on old consoles with that Hakko.

3

I recommend THIS for the iron. It’s what I’ve got and kicks butt. I mean, sheeit! You gonna recommend a de-soldering gun for 2.5 Benjis, but recommend a comparatively “bargain-bin” iron? Cmon! :wink:

4

Here’s another soldering station that might interest you. I don’t have it myself but it looks OK for $16.55 USD.

5

I have one of these, it’s a good quality Hakko clone and spare parts are dirt cheap.

The major downside is to never use the soldering iron stand it comes with because some fucking genius decided it would be a good idea to make it completely out of plastic. Think about it…

6

I have that same soldering station.

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Aoyue stations are pretty good and won’t break the bank.

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and Hakko’s tips are compatible. I have a 474A++ as desoldering station and a 738H as soldering one. Both working great.

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Only experience I’ve had with Aoyue was in reflow and BGA stations at an old job. Didn’t know they made gen soldering stations. Good stuff

10

What are you planning on using this for?

Here in HK I can pick up a cheap 10USD soldering iron that will suit all my arcade stick / PC modding needs. No need to go for anything nice unless you are going to be doing some precision stuff. Only time I can remember using an iron that was cheap AND shitty was when I bought one from Radioshack (rip) during my college days…

For simple desoldering braid and/or a vacuum plunger have never let me down yet.

11

Thanks, guys. I’ll set my sights on the hakko iron next month. I really want to get into modding and fixing other people’s components and getting paid. Glad I won’t be destroying any PCB’s now.
But that station with the plastic stand…um…