Geoffrey Reed wrote:
I'm pleased with the Hakko 936 I use for most of
my soldering. The temp
control has been very accurate and I've been using the heck out of it for
the last few years. It is better in some ways than the $500+ hot air and
iron rework station that I have.
I have a Hakko 936 also, and I like it fine for through-hole work and
for SMT stuff that isn't too fine, but it's no match for a Metcal for
doing fine-pitch SMT work. I've used a Metcal at a previous place of
employment, and really miss it.
Hakko has discontinued the 936, and replaced it with the repulsive
looking FX-888. Although the FX-888 is claimed to have better
performance than the 936, I think when I need another soldering station
I'll look for a used Metcal instead.
Given that everything new comes in BGAs instead of leaded packages, I
wish I could find a good deal on a used BGA rework station, such as a
Hakko FR-1418. I suppose there's slightly more chance that I could
afford a used Jovy Systems RE-7500.
Eric