[Elecraft] OT: New soldering station needed

[Dick Green WC1M]

The FX-951 features look great and I'm considering one to replace my old
Weller EC2001 with EC1201A pencil. Tips are hard to find for that model
these days.

What FX-951 tips work well for SMD parts? Mostly I solder/desolder
components with leads, but occasionally I need to solder or desolder SMD
chips and flat packs (I think that's the name for discreet components.) In
addition to the Weller EC2001/ EC1201A, I have a Hakko 808 desolder gun. I
can sort of muddle my way through with one of those and manual tweezers, and
have used ChipQuik to with some success to desolder SMD ICs, but the tips I
have for the EC1201A aren't small enough and the desolder gun tip is
sometimes too big or overkill for SMD chips with a lot of leads.

It looks like Hakko doesn't offer desolder tweezers for the FX-951, but I
don't know if desolder tweezers would really improve things or be worth it
for my occasional SMD requirements. There's a desolder tweezer for the
FX-888D, but I prefer the features of the FX-951.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Goldberg [mailto:marklgoldberg at gmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:33 AM
> To: Cady, Fred
> Cc: Elecraft Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: New soldering station needed
> 
> I have a Hakko FX-888, works great, looks like a kids toy. I have a
variety of tips,
> large screwdriver to very small conical and have done everything from AWG4
> lugs to SOT23 SMTs, leaded and lead free solder. Temp adjustable and very
> good heat and recovery. I have also used a Metcal and like the Hakka just
as
> much. Lots of tips available.
> 
> Mark
> W7MLG
>  On Mar 24, 2014 3:44 PM, "Cady, Fred" <fcady at ece.montana.edu> wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> > My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the
ghost.
> >  Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature
> > controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips.
> > I have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
> > Thoughts? Your favorites?
> > Thanks and 73,
> > Fred KE7X
> >
> >
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