I picked up a new rework rig today, cause I just cant do the $15 RS specials anymore, not that I burn them up or anything, but they were driving me crazy and I really want a station with hot air. I researched a few options and decided there was no way I was dropping $600 on a Hakko setup just so I could have hot air and soldering in one unit; in the end I decided to go the Chinese Hakko clone route. After seeing both Sparkfun and Hack-a-Day using and recommending Aoyue products, I started looking at different models in my price range. After looking around, price shopping, and being really indecisive about the units on ebay (and whether or not I could return the unit if I'm not happy with it), I found that my local fry's carried this model for less than i would pay on ebay with shipping (and they have a fantastic return policy). I figure that if this unit turns out to not be so great, I can return it and for a little more money get a stand-alone Hakko iron and a stand-alone Aoyue hot air station. I really hope that this station turns out to be nice and work well, I'm not sure I have the space for separate units...
Anyway, I picked this unit because (well obviously because it's a combination unit) it's ESD safe, lead safe
, has the digital display and temperature management, with controls not only for iron temp and air temp, but also airflow/speed/pressure (whatever, I had heard that some units will just blow components off boards once the solder melts cause there is no control of airflow and I didn't want that), and this unit has a turbine air pump not a diaphragm pump (so smoother, more consistent airflow). Another selling point for me was the separate power controls for the iron and hot air, If all I'm using is the iron I don't need the hot air on and wasting energy and burning out the heater element.
I also picked up a fume extractor while I was at it. I figured it was time to stop depriving myself of oxygen with the inhale-hold-solder-exhale technique I've been using for so long... It's a little loud... like louder than a very loud 360... no noticeable increase in workspace noise, yeah, right... anyway I think I can put up with it if I can breathe a little easier...
This unit also included the soldering iron stand, 3 hot air nozzles, and an IC popper. Before anyone asks, the stand that the hot air nozzle is resting in is actually a reflector from an old telescope that was used for viewing solar eclipses (I believe that's what it was for, astronomy buffs please correct me if I am wrong).
I'll get back to you either tomorrow or in a few days (depending on if this thing is bad or good respectively) and let you guys know how it works out.
Anyone else ever used or
an Aoyue unit or any of the other Chinese Hakko clones out there? (I think that KADA is one of the other clone manufacturers)
