4 ms·

Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.h

Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html

bangaladore 2y ago
I can guarantee it is leagues better. Frankly, I won't solder anymore unless it is with a direct-heat iron. They heat up instantly, cool down quickly, provide far better thermal transfer, and are much more comfortable to hold. Don't brush off what I'm saying before you try a direct-heat iron (Hakko sells them, Pace does, and JBC is the gold standard). They are usually expensive from the big names, but even a Pinecil direct-heat iron for $30$ would be many times better than non-direct-heat irons.
- globular-toast 2y ago
  Is the OP one a direct heat iron?
  - bangaladore 2y ago
    Yes. The easiest way to tell is the soldering "tip" is much more than a tip. It's a cartridge. [1] [1] https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/fixhub_tip/ https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be...
- epiccoleman 2y ago
  Oh man, I don't need to hear this. When I got my FX-888 I was blown away by the difference between it and the cheapo Radio Shack style one I had muddled through with as a teen. And now, for only $200 or so, I can get something that's another step change? I don't even know when I last soldered and that's still tempting at a deep-seated nerd level.
  - talldayo 2y ago
    I can't recommend a Pinecil enough. It's cheap as chips and basically has all the best features of other irons I've used. No complaints, I've half a mind to stockpile them and hand them out as gifts to nerd-inclined friends.
    - epiccoleman 2y ago
      $30? $30?! You got me. Pinecil is en route. Thanks for the recommendation!
      - talldayo 2y ago
        Enjoy! Best hidden feature is the Bluetooth connectivity that lets you dial in precise controls from your phone or browser. It's definitely a keeper, and doubles as "that one RISC-V thing I own" when your nerd friends drop by.
      - javchz 2y ago
        Me too, I used to think I hated soldering, until I tried a proper solder station in a shop, but for the amount of repairs I do, I couldn't justify spend 200 in something like that, but this PINECIL sounds like a great middle ground.
        talldayo 2y ago
        It's pretty nice. The key is to have a high enough wattage USB that you can feed it over 50w for a quick heatup, in my experience. I use a fast charger brick I bought for my phone and it works like a charm.
the__alchemist 2y ago
This is the key question.
manoweb 2y ago
Oh yeah, it will be MUCH better, not even close. And I own a Hakko. The new wave of USB irons is incredibly better
- throwgfgfd25 2y ago
  I am, it should be noted, _fucking terrible_ at soldering. But my TS-101 actually gives me hope. I'm so happy with it. (It's also incredibly, incredibly useful for heat-set inserts, because you get to decide really precisely how long they will take to insert!)
pkolaczk 2y ago
Hakko fx888 is a good quality iron but quite outdated tech. The biggest downside is it doesn’t measure the temperature at the tip, but at the heater.
- blahlabs 2y ago
  When I first bought mine I tried to adjust the temperature in what felt like the natural way to do so, without rtfm first of course. Then I quickly learned that I had adjusted the temperature calibration. I reverted what I had done but now I am not confident about the temperature its operating at, at all. Seems a terrible interface design.
  - XorNot 2y ago
    Yep I did that too. I recalibrated by using the thermocouple on my multimeter. That's not my biggest problem though - my biggest problem has just been keeping tips tinned properly. I've succeeded once, but it constantly feels like a struggle.
    - pkolaczk 2y ago
      I found that brass wool works better at keeping tips tinned. A sponge removes all the solder and you have to quickly tin the tip immediately after wiping, otherwise it oxidizes. Wiping with brass wool leaves a thin layer of solder on the tip. Also keeping the tip at moderate temperature range helps avoid oxidation - most manufacturers recommend to never exceed 400 C. JBC recommends to not exceed 370 C. Hope this helps.
- BraverHeart 2y ago
  Can you suggest an alternative please?
  - auxym 2y ago
    In the hakko line, fx-951 is the step-up which uses a heater and sensor in the tip (t15/t12 tips). The alternative, for a hobbyist, would be something like this new iFixit iron, the Pinecil, Miniware TS80/TS100 or one of the variety of chinese irons from amazon and Aliexpress that take Hakko T12 tips (Quicko and similar). On the high-end, professional side, it's JBC and Metcal. Expensive.

Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html

bangaladore 2y ago

I can guarantee it is leagues better. Frankly, I won't solder anymore unless it is with a direct-heat iron. They heat up instantly, cool down quickly, provide far better thermal transfer, and are much more comfortable to hold. Don't brush off what I'm saying before you try a direct-heat iron (Hakko sells them, Pace does, and JBC is the gold standard). They are usually expensive from the big names, but even a Pinecil direct-heat iron for $30$ would be many times better than non-direct-heat irons.

globular-toast 2y ago
Is the OP one a direct heat iron?
- bangaladore 2y ago
  Yes. The easiest way to tell is the soldering "tip" is much more than a tip. It's a cartridge. [1] [1] https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/fixhub_tip/ https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be...
epiccoleman 2y ago
Oh man, I don't need to hear this. When I got my FX-888 I was blown away by the difference between it and the cheapo Radio Shack style one I had muddled through with as a teen. And now, for only $200 or so, I can get something that's another step change? I don't even know when I last soldered and that's still tempting at a deep-seated nerd level.
- talldayo 2y ago
  I can't recommend a Pinecil enough. It's cheap as chips and basically has all the best features of other irons I've used. No complaints, I've half a mind to stockpile them and hand them out as gifts to nerd-inclined friends.
  - epiccoleman 2y ago
    $30? $30?! You got me. Pinecil is en route. Thanks for the recommendation!
    - talldayo 2y ago
      Enjoy! Best hidden feature is the Bluetooth connectivity that lets you dial in precise controls from your phone or browser. It's definitely a keeper, and doubles as "that one RISC-V thing I own" when your nerd friends drop by.
    - javchz 2y ago
      Me too, I used to think I hated soldering, until I tried a proper solder station in a shop, but for the amount of repairs I do, I couldn't justify spend 200 in something like that, but this PINECIL sounds like a great middle ground.
      - talldayo 2y ago
        It's pretty nice. The key is to have a high enough wattage USB that you can feed it over 50w for a quick heatup, in my experience. I use a fast charger brick I bought for my phone and it works like a charm.

the__alchemist 2y ago

This is the key question.

manoweb 2y ago

Oh yeah, it will be MUCH better, not even close. And I own a Hakko. The new wave of USB irons is incredibly better

throwgfgfd25 2y ago
I am, it should be noted, _fucking terrible_ at soldering. But my TS-101 actually gives me hope. I'm so happy with it. (It's also incredibly, incredibly useful for heat-set inserts, because you get to decide really precisely how long they will take to insert!)

pkolaczk 2y ago

Hakko fx888 is a good quality iron but quite outdated tech. The biggest downside is it doesn’t measure the temperature at the tip, but at the heater.

blahlabs 2y ago
When I first bought mine I tried to adjust the temperature in what felt like the natural way to do so, without rtfm first of course. Then I quickly learned that I had adjusted the temperature calibration. I reverted what I had done but now I am not confident about the temperature its operating at, at all. Seems a terrible interface design.
- XorNot 2y ago
  Yep I did that too. I recalibrated by using the thermocouple on my multimeter. That's not my biggest problem though - my biggest problem has just been keeping tips tinned properly. I've succeeded once, but it constantly feels like a struggle.
  - pkolaczk 2y ago
    I found that brass wool works better at keeping tips tinned. A sponge removes all the solder and you have to quickly tin the tip immediately after wiping, otherwise it oxidizes. Wiping with brass wool leaves a thin layer of solder on the tip. Also keeping the tip at moderate temperature range helps avoid oxidation - most manufacturers recommend to never exceed 400 C. JBC recommends to not exceed 370 C. Hope this helps.
BraverHeart 2y ago
Can you suggest an alternative please?
- auxym 2y ago
  In the hakko line, fx-951 is the step-up which uses a heater and sensor in the tip (t15/t12 tips). The alternative, for a hobbyist, would be something like this new iFixit iron, the Pinecil, Miniware TS80/TS100 or one of the variety of chinese irons from amazon and Aliexpress that take Hakko T12 tips (Quicko and similar). On the high-end, professional side, it's JBC and Metcal. Expensive.