[gastro54]

Alright, I just received my 936 clone from web-tronics.com also known as circuit specialists with 2 additional .8mm tips. This thing completely trounces any other iron I have used (ratshack/portasol corldless). The temperature adjustment is extremely helpful and the iron maintains a consistant tip temperature, but loses some heat when soldering to big ground pads. Anyways, I think it will be hard to beat for $35.

Notice the nasty burn mark left by my ratshack iron >_< I left it running overnight on the table (by accident of course)... Don't do this.

 

[flecom]

very nice looking little station and for $35?

might be time to replace this pos ratshack iron

 

[primer]

It looks exactly the same as my Hakko 936 ESD. Even the soldering iron stand looks the same!. Not bad for $35.

 

[flecom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by primer It looks exactly the same as my Hakko 936 ESD. Even the soldering iron stand looks the same!. Not bad for $35.

guess i better buy one before the lawsuit eh?

 

[gastro54]

The build quality was actually better than I expected, especially that of the iron stand.

 

[was ist los?]

I have one and love it. A few pet peeves though. The AC cord is short!! The grip is like a typical cheap soldering iron's since the grip really heats up. When new, one can smell the rubber getting hot. As far as maintaining heat and starting up time, it's great. I feel it's a real bargain for $35. I also got the screwdriver tip for my tube projects. Also great for other p2p wiring jobs with large copper plate ground planes.
I have compared it to my friend's Hakko 963. The Hakko's build is much better, you get what you pay for i suppose. The Hakko features a foam grip that won't burn your fingers and the stand/iron works a lot better than the shabby fit on the CS1.

 

[gastro54]

Hehe, if you look closely, you can see "CSI 936" in the top right of the station.

 

[gastro54]

That is true about the grip. It does get quite hot. It shouldn't be too hard to find a foam grip / better insulator.

 

[Dreamslacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by was ist los? I have one and love it. A few pet peeves though. The AC cord is short!! The grip is like a typical cheap soldering iron's since the grip really heats up. When new, one can smell the rubber getting hot. As far as maintaining heat and starting up time, it's great. I feel it's a real bargain for $35. I also got the screwdriver tip for my tube projects. Also great for other p2p wiring jobs with large copper plate ground planes. I have compared it to my friend's Hakko 963. The Hakko's build is much better, you get what you pay for i suppose. The Hakko features a foam grip that won't burn your fingers and the stand/iron works a lot better than the shabby fit on the CS1.

Well... You can always, at a later time, buy a Hakko iron to hook up to the unit. That'd solve the issues you have.

 

[MisterX]

I have been using a Hakko 936 ESD model at work for the last couple months and I have not noticed any problems with the handle getting hot..... maybe that is a difference between the two (other then the Hakko has an insulated plug)?
For what you paid it looks like you got a pretty sweet soldering station.
If it performs half as good as the 936 it is worth every cent.
Any chance you will pop that open and take some **** Picts?
I will do the same with a 936 and we can note what other differences there are.

 

[enzoferrari650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX I have been using a Hakko 936 ESD model at work for the last couple months and I have not noticed any problems with the handle getting hot..... maybe that is a difference between the two (other then the Hakko has an insulated plug)?

Um maybe because they're DIFFERENT? the grip is different.

 

[enzoferrari650]

anyways... i love my weller

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzoferrari650 Um maybe because they're DIFFERENT? the grip is different.

Looks the same to me.

 

[rayofsi]

the grip on the csi model isnt as good as the hakko. but its 35bux =P

 

[gastro54]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX Any chance you will pop that open and take some **** Picts? I will do the same with a 936 and we can note what other differences there are.

I could porbably do this, I would be interested in seeing the differences as well.