Hakko Soldering Stations

[bluesjuke]

I'm looking into the Hakko Soldering Stations, the 936 in particular.
Does anyone have experience with this model and can tell me how they like it?

Also is there a consensus of iron size among user- small, med., large?

[57special]

had one for 3 years. love it. I have a small tip, if that's what you mean, as it's handy for tight spots.

[bluesjuke]

Thanks- that's good to hear.

I meant the iron size itself on the small, med....etc.
These three choices are given with the same station.
I believe the difference is the total length of the iron small being 7", Med. being 7.5"
That's the only different spec I see on the irons.

They are listed as model #'s;
936-11
936-12
936-13

[Southbay Ampworks]

I've had one for two years. Works great.

[sysexguy]

+1 for me

[bluesjuke]

Just found the 936-12 (Medium size iron) online for $69.95.
That quite a good deal compared to the other sites I've seen.
Think I'll order that- it's a limited time only price.

Other's at a sale price are running around $80.- $89..plus shipping costs.



Edit/update: Turned out shipping was $16.50 on the above dealer so I found it on the 'Bay" for $69.89 and $11. shipping.
I don't think I could have found it any cheaper.

Also saw the different size irons classified as;
small= micro soldering
medium- standard
large- well....large! Heavy Duty

[Bonenut]

I have a 936-12 on the bench, and like it much better than the Weller it replaced. Highly recommended :AOK

[rooster]

I like mine a lot. You'll like it way more than a Weller if the heating element ever goes out on you! That's why I ended up buying the Hakko.

It's a good idea to have a "hogleg" sized iron to solder wiring onto steel chassis if you do any building. It noticibly quiets your grounding if you solder the lug onto the chassis itself.

rooster.

[teefus]

i have been using a 936esd at home for 5-6 years. super iron and very flexible. i have a small selection of tips that work for any occasion. can't recommend this iron enough. hmc electronics sells them and the accessories on line.

[Steve Foley]

Got one a year or so ago, and love it - one of the better tech purchases I've made, I think.
As far as the tips, I'm not real familiar with the different sizes - if you're mostly doing guitar and amp repairs, you don't need anything too big - the biggest things you'll probably be hitting are the grounds to the backs of the pots, and these units get plenty hot, with a small chisel tip, for that. In fact, that's "mostly" what I use for general guitar/amp repairs, unless it's more delicate circuit boards, when I'll down-size to a smaller pencil point. I just picked up a general selection at one of the online sites, enough to get me over the "$100 free shipping" price point, and instead of paying shipping, got one or two free tips.....
When I got mine, I went through HMC Electronics, which worked out best at the time, with the free shipping and such - you might compare them to what you're looking at now, and see if it pencils out for you.
El Steve-0

[teleamp]

had one for 3 years. love it. I have a small tip, if that's what you mean, as it's handy for tight spots.

+1 even with the small tip I can solder ground wires to pots and brass plates. I've had mine for about a year, the tips last much longer than the Wellers that I used to use.

MikeY

[TheAmpNerd]

I'm looking into the Hakko Soldering Stations, the 936 in particular.
Does anyone have experience with this model and can tell me how they like it?

Also is there a consensus of iron size among user- small, med., large?

It is fine, I have two of them. The irons last.

Unlike the Weller's which break, also one hand piece melted in half on my bench.

The Med handpiece is very nice too, thin enought to get into thight spots.

For chassis work buy a giant stained glass soldering iron, 100W with 100W tip.

[TimmyP]

I've been using the lowly Hakko 454 iron for years. With a change in tops it will do anything from SMT parts to 10 gauge wire. Good stuff.

[bluesjuke]

GOt my 936-2 yesterday and used it today to mod my Nocaster and man it is hands down the best I have used to date.
Really came in handy on the RoHS solder too.

Thanks guys for the input!