Decent Hakko soldering station clone?

[tjstogy]

I'm looking for a less expensive clone of something like this: https://amzn.to/2GL8mpD

Any ideas?

[Hoagtech]

Its not small but it works. I use this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/853D-3in1-DC-P ... SwULRagk-p

Your model looks much nicer and smaller though. I did not have that option when I purchased 2 years ago

[unmaker]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/edmu-stro/m.ht ... 6732.m1684

This ebay seller will list new/barely used hakko units fairly regularly, including the 888D. I believe his auctions only go for about 2 days so they go unnoticed by most people. You could win an auction for a genuine 888D for $60 with free shipping.

[syboxez]

I can vouch for the 936 clones on eBay. I use one as my daily driver and it has given me zero issues. Cost me all of $20.

Just look up "936 soldering station" on eBay.

There are some quirks though, like the absolutely terrible plastic iron holder (I'd recommend replacing this with a better one) and the default calibration being out of whack (doesn't bother me since I go based on feel anyway, but you can get a soldering thermometer to calibrate it). Also I would recommend opening it up and tightening the earth connection on the transformer, as some of them come a bit loosened.

There's also a version with digital temperature control if you prefer.

[Gara]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/edmu-stro/m.ht ... 6732.m1684

This ebay seller will list new/barely used hakko units fairly regularly, including the 888D. I believe his auctions only go for about 2 days so they go unnoticed by most people. You could win an auction for a genuine 888D for $60 with free shipping.

Weird. That seller used to go by grt_bargains_4-u. The old account was suspended for some reason. I purchased one of his used 888D setups a few months ago. It looked like new and even had the full accessories set despite not being in the description. Extra heads, clippers, etc.

[unmaker]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/edmu-stro/m.ht ... 6732.m1684

This ebay seller will list new/barely used hakko units fairly regularly, including the 888D. I believe his auctions only go for about 2 days so they go unnoticed by most people. You could win an auction for a genuine 888D for $60 with free shipping.

Weird. That seller used to go by grt_bargains_4-u. The old account was suspended for some reason. I purchased one of his used 888D setups a few months ago. It looked like new and even had the full accessories set despite not being in the description. Extra heads, clippers, etc.

Yup I don't know why his previous account was suspended but I did get a 888D from him. Mine also included a few other parts that weren't mentioned in the listing. It worked perfectly in the year or so that I had it before I upgraded.

[Gara]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/edmu-stro/m.ht ... 6732.m1684

This ebay seller will list new/barely used hakko units fairly regularly, including the 888D. I believe his auctions only go for about 2 days so they go unnoticed by most people. You could win an auction for a genuine 888D for $60 with free shipping.

Weird. That seller used to go by grt_bargains_4-u. The old account was suspended for some reason. I purchased one of his used 888D setups a few months ago. It looked like new and even had the full accessories set despite not being in the description. Extra heads, clippers, etc.

Yup I don't know why his previous account was suspended but I did get a 888D from him. Mine also included a few other parts that weren't mentioned in the listing. It worked perfectly in the year or so that I had it before I upgraded.

What did you upgrade to? The hakko is already complete overkill for what I use it for but I am curious.

[tjstogy]

Any luck with Alibaba express? I see chinese Hakko clones there for like $15-50.... never bought anything from there though...

[unmaker]

What did you upgrade to? The hakko is already complete overkill for what I use it for but I am curious.

I was happy with my 888D and started looking for a desoldering tool to go along with it. I wanted one so I could do more console mods more easily and recap my PVM. I've done a NESRGB install before with a simple desoldering pump but I pulled some pads in the process. I came across Hakko's FR-300 and it has overwhelmingly positive reviews but I had seconds thoughts due to some negative reviews stating the heater does not last. After plenty of research I came across Pace's ST 115 with SX-100 desoldering handpiece. It was WAY out of my budget range but people who have used it swear by it and Pace's other equipment. I also came across Pace's MBT 350 which allows the use of 3 simultaneous handpieces. That was also way out my budget but I started checking ebay frequently in hopes of finding a good deal. After some months I pretty much struck gold and found a MBT 350 being sold for "parts/ as is" for roughly the same amount as a brand new FR-300. It came with a SX-90, TD-100, and MT-100 and everything works perfectly. Every once in a while you can find Pace gear on ebay for fairly cheap. Others have gotten much better deals than I have though. I was watching a youtube video the other day of a guy who got a Pace PRC for $50 with free shipping. Thats Pace's rework station designed to meet military specs and costs several thousand brand new. I've been eyeing these lately on ebay but that's definitely overkill for my needs lol. I did do some quick comparisons between the 888D and TD-100 before selling. The TD-100 heats up much faster and you can hot swap tips in just seconds but once the 888D reaches temp it performs almost just as well. The 888D is really a great station.

[unmaker]

Any luck with Alibaba express? I see chinese Hakko clones there for like $15-50.... never bought anything from there though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-N74wtkFuY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdV7XBae74

As they say you get what you pay for. Those videos are the only useful feedback I can give you.

[mvsfan]

why wouldnt you support Hakko? they design, test and build these great tools, and then the other guys just rip them off.

not only that but the clones are really bad quality. Ive heard of guys having to go through them and fix electrical problems because of loose or missing wires, before they even get to use it really.

[nmalinoski]

why wouldnt you support Hakko? they design, test and build these great tools, and then the other guys just rip them off.

not only that but the clones are really bad quality. Ive heard of guys having to go through them and fix electrical problems because of loose or missing wires, before they even get to use it really.

I found $100 to be perfectly reasonable for the 888D. What I'm not so keen on is the $250-$300 cost of the FR-300 desoldering gun. :/

[syboxez]

Any luck with Alibaba express? I see chinese Hakko clones there for like $15-50.... never bought anything from there though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-N74wtkFuY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdV7XBae74

As they say you get what you pay for. Those videos are the only useful feedback I can give you.

The EEVBlog video is not a fair comparison. Obviously the real Hakkos will be way better and will last a lot longer (and are better designed), but you have to take price into account. If you compare the fake 936 clones with other ~$15-$25 irons/stations, the 936 clone is a fantastic bang for your buck.

If you want to spend more money on something that will last a very long time and will work extremely well, I wholeheartedly recommend getting a real Hakko station (like the FX-888D), but if you don't want to spend much, I very much recommend the 936 clones (or 936D clones with you want digital temperature control).

If you can find a used real Hakko for a similar price, go for that instead. As for desoldering guns, look for a used Hakko 808.

[mvsfan]

The 808 is missing several features that would make it kinda annoying to use, like having no external temperature control, power light, Or on/off switch.

The FR-300 also has Quick change tips. it just locks in, and you can replace the tip in 10 seconds.

I highly reccomend the FR-300 over it, unless you pick up the 808 real cheap.

[FBX]

I found $100 to be perfectly reasonable for the 888D. What I'm not so keen on is the $250-$300 cost of the FR-300 desoldering gun. :/

Agreed on the FR-300. I went with an S-993A for $100 and it's worked perfectly fine for my needs.

[CastingDreams]

I can very much recommend Circuit Specialists' soldering stations. Great quality for the price.