soldering Stations - Hakko 936 vs. Xytronic 137ESD

[aamefford]

Hi all,

This is a tired subject, I know. Archive search didn't reveal much information on the Xytronic 137ESD soldering station. The Hakko 936 is much loved here at Headfi, as is the Xytronic 379. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Hakko 936 when I ran across the Xytronic 137 ESD at Howard Electronic Instruments for $79.95, buy 3, get one free:

Xytronic 137ESD Digital Soldering Station

It is the digital readout version of the Xytronic 136ESD. Jerry at HEI said the Xytronics 136 is the direct competitor for the Hakko 936.

Does anyone have any experience with the Xytronics 137 ESD, and can anyone compare it to the Hakko 936? Any experience with Howard Electronic Instruments? Any other comments on the soldering station subject are welcome. My upper limit is $100.

Is anyone interested in doing a mini group buy for 3+one free of these (gets the price down to $60 ea + shipping and tax, if any)? I'm in Vacaville, CA (near Sacramento) and would prefer to do a local 4 person buy. PM me if you are nearby and interested. I'm probably going to purchase something next week regardless. Thanks to everyone in advance for your help.

Oh yes, my usage will be CMoy progressing to Mini3 and then on to larger SS amps, perhaps tube hybrid, etc. and interconnects. Unless I decide I don't like DIY, then it gets sold to some lucky soul here!

Aaron

 

[naamanf]

I have a 137ESD that I purchased from HE. I picked it up a couple months ago as my deployment soldering iron.

My iron at home is a Pace MBT250 solder/desolder station. I love it and wouldn't trade it for another. But it costs about 20x that of the 137ESD.

That being said, so far the 137 is working great. Doesn't have the rock solid temperature stability as the Pace but that is to be expected. Plus in reality it doesn't matter that much. So far I have used to to build a Blue Hawaii, Opus DAC, re-cable two headphones, and build a bunch of cables. The stock tip is still in great shape and it heats up just as fast as the day I got it. I really can't say much on the long term quality but so far it's a good iron at a good price.

As for the tips I purchased a couple extra but have not had the need to use them yet. I also think it can use the Hakko tips.

I also really like the cleaner that comes with it. I don't think I will ever use a wet sponge again.

 

[regal]

I must try that Mini-Wave Soldering Tip

 

[aamefford]

Naamanf - Assuming I'm not going out on a limb taking the word of a guy with a chicken on his head (just kidding, I'd use a picture of me with a chicken on my head if I had one...)

, I am reassured that the 137 is a solid iron.

Regal, I didn't quite get what that mini-wave soldering tip did... Perhaps once I find the need to do what ever it does, I'll understand.

As for my purchase, if 3 others get hold of me regarding a group purchase, I'll likely get one of the 137's. If not, I'll flip a coin - heads a 137 because of the digital readout, tails a 936 because of its stellar reputation. Price is about equal. I suspect that my demands on it will not be that strenuous, at least initially. If I get good at building things and start doing so for others, I'll likely want a new iron, even if just for the sake of having something new

.

 

[slowpogo]

FWIW I just got a Circuit Specialists digital station, the 936 imitation.

I haven't used a 936. But this one works really well. I was using Radio Shack irons before, and this is just heaven in comparison. It can use the Hakko 936 tips, and CS also carries the Xytronic tip cleaner that everyone loves. I got that too, and it's fantastic.

I mention it because I was considering the Xytronic 137 over the CSI Station 2A that I got. It's a solid, well-made unit, good iron holder, detachable iron, ESD safe. Heats up really quickly, temp stays pretty stable so far, deviating about +/- 5 degrees usually.

I've been working on my Millett Max with it, making perfect joint after perfect joint. It's really fun. Anyway, I recommend it--only $50.

BUT, you can get the 936 for only $70 here.

 

[naamanf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamefford /img/forum/go_quote.gif Naamanf - Assuming I'm not going out on a limb taking the word of a guy with a chicken on his head ....

It's a actually a turkey.

AS long as it holds (no matter what one you get) you really won't need to purchase another. I like digital irons because I can quickly set the temp and verify at a glance that it's at the temp I want.

If your really looking at making a purchase after this on and find yourself doing a lot of solder work I highly suggest looking into a vacuum de-soldering iron.

 

[threepointone]

unless i'm mistaken, that mini-wave soldering tip is for a special method of surface mount soldering that hasn't been explored much in the DIY world. I've read about a method of surface mount soldering in this book on soldering (seriously) where, using the right type of angled flat tip, you can solder surface mount ICs literally by waving the tip with a blob of solder across a row of leads, with enough practice--even faster than soldering DIPs! Never tried it before, but the author said it was his preferred method of soldering SMT chips, iirc. Book was from the 90s/80s, though, so I'm not sure if this method would be sufficiently reliable for the newer fine-pitch ICs.

 

[aamefford]

Woohoo! Post number 50!!! I just got my Hakko 936. I couldn't go against all the great press it gets here and and at Headwise. I've got to wait for my Grados to sell on ebay so I can buy the parts for a Pimeta and/or a Cmoy. I can't wait to get started. Well, yes, I can. My hobby budget is used up until some cash gets liberated. It is actually all FallenAngel's fault for selling me a pair of Senn 580's...