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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:05:33 -0400
From: Dave McGuire <mcguire AT neurotica DOT com>
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To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: [geda-user] Soldering Station suggestions
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On 10/15/2013 09:11 AM, Ed Simmons wrote:
> We've been through a number of soldering stations, in fact one of the
> best I've used is an ebay special...
> 
> We have an Aoyue 909 which includes a temperature controlled iron and
> hot air tool. We find both very useful, using the hot air tool in a
> retort stand allows easy placement of the heat. We have two
> thermocouples and display (actually, it's a prototype of the reflow
> controller that was recyled) that we use to monitor the progress of
> working with sensitive parts.
> 
> The bits for the irons are cheap (as are replacement irons) and come in
> a wide range of styles, the hot air tool is an asset.
> 
> Ok, it's not got Weller/Metcal/Hakko written on it, but it does the job
> nicely and I would certainly buy another when I find space to house
> another soldering bod.

  I have an Aoyue hot air station.  At first I thought that brand was
"cheap Chinese garbage".  They are indeed cheap (inexpensive) and
Chinese, but this thing is made of metal, is built like a tank, and
works great.  I've also used the 909 iron; it's a fine unit.

  It seems Aoyue starts off by cloning (mostly) Hakko equipment and
selling them with very similar model numbers, and then they make
improvements and sell them with slightly different model numbers, 'A' or
'+' suffixes, etc.

  Their stuff is damn good, and I will be buying more of it.

  But for a hand iron, nothing will separate me from my Metcal.

             -Dave

-- 
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA