[hello im sean]

Hi, im looking for a new soldering iron and ive narrowed it down between these two..
 
http://www.xytronic-usa.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=203
 
http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?CID=49&PID=4800&Page=1
 
Hakko in general seems to have a better rep, but i've also heard good things about the newer xytronic irons.  Anybody have experience with either of these or their predecessors? thanks!

 

[Undisclosed]

I have not used the xytronic, but I have used my 936 for 3 years now. Its seen a lot of use and hasn't let me down. The new 888 uses the same wands and therefore the same tips as the 936, which are both really cheap.

 

[TheLaw]

I had the chance to use the Hakko, or atleast one of the very similar new ones, and I really like it's feature set. Much more modern feel to it, and I like how the holder works, as well as the integrated tip cleaner solution.

 

[bcg27]

I'll vouch for the hakko as well. I have the 936, and it works like a champ. I have to say I don't like the color scheme of the new model though, it looks like a toy! I'm sure it performs just as well or better than the 936 however.

 

[Mad Max]

x4 Hakko 936
It rocks.

 

[hello im sean]

haha any xytronic users?

 

[agdr]

Quote:

haha any xytronic users?

Guilty as charged.   I have both the XYtronic LF-1600 and LF369D from Jameco
 
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2099180_-1
 
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2114685_-1
 
The 1600 stays on the bench while the 369D gets thrown in cars and toolboxes a lot.

 
Prior to these I had one of the analog XYtronic stations, with analog meter readout for the temperature, for years.  Worked perfectly with very precise temp control and rapid heat-up.  That was a hardwired unit and enough years had gone by that XYtronic didn't have a replacement element/handle anymore, otherwise I would still be using it.
 
One thing I would suggest is look at the LF-1680.  You also get the tweezers.  If I had it to do over again I would probably get the 1680 instead of the 1600:
 
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2099219_-1
 
I like the big selection of tips that XYtronic has available.  Jameco doesn't have the whole tip line, but Howard Electronics does.
 
I've never used a Hakko so can't compare anything there.  My second choice to XYtronic would have been Circuit Specialists:
 
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/6388

 

[Undisclosed]

Quote:

haha any xytronic users?

 
Cant say I've ever used a xytronic. The typical entry stations I've used and seen are hakko/weller/aoyue. For general through hole soldering, some smd work and cable making, my hakko 936 (old version of the new Hakko fx888) is used almost exclusively.  I have 2 wands and a whole bunch of tips, which makes swapping to different sizes fast and easy. For fine smd soldering (like 0603) and rework use my metcal iron and hot tweezers station, but this will be well out of the price range of most hobbyists. For salvaging parts from electronics and light reflowing I use my aoyue hot air rework station, its matching soldering station i gave to a friend who was sick of buying overpriced ratshack irons only to break shortly after. For reflowing SMD boards i use my custom built electric frying pan controlled by an arduino.
 
However if all you are going to be doing is some cable making and some through hole soldering/light SMD work anyone of the entry stations will work perfectly. Knowing how to solder correctly will help way more than the iron itself. I used a cheap 30w adjustable iron for a few years before i bought my first station!
 
PS: have a way to remove fumes from your workspace, weather it be a fan blowing fumes away, or a carbon filter fume extractor. Flux fumes are nasty.
 
 

 

[hello im sean]

thanks for the headsup! im leaning towards that xytronic with the tweezers now.. sorry but i like to be different?

 

[agdr]

Here is a better writeup on the 1680 at the Howard Electronics site:
 
http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2009/12/14/0/21/19/278/xyt_/manual/pmr168.pdf
 
Jameco calls it 80W in one place, then 40W in the description which isn't correct.  It is 80W on both the soldering iron and the tweezer.
 
That is the one small complaint I would have with the 369D at 45W.  That isn't quite enough power for soldering bigger things, like large wires attached to a metal chassis point, and causes a 1-2 second delay while the iron heats back up.  For normal soldering on PC boards the 45W is just fine though.  Never had that issue with my old analog XYtronic which was 60W.  I don't get any delay with the LF-1600 at 80W either.  I still like the 936D a lot specifically for being more portable, but for a bench iron the 1600 or 1680 would have the better power.

 

[hello im sean]

unless anyone has something bad to say about xytronic i think it's what ill go for. hakko is great, maybo ill own one someday, but for now ill try something a little different!