Hot air rework station

[elcaron]

@dbemowsk There are a lot of reviews around. Some units are fine, some have exposed metal parts connected to the powerplug (which can put mains phase on them at least in countries with unkeyed outlets, and some have the wand attached with a connector and habe mains phase on a connector pin that can be exposed

Apart from that, I am quite happy with mine. There is even custom firmware.

[dbemowsk]

@elcaron I have actually been getting ready to buy one of these myself. Planning on placing the order either today or tomorrow. This is the one I am looking at. My main reason for choosing this one over one of the cheaper similar models is that it has a connector for the wand making it easier to replace if something goes wrong with it. Most of the cheaper ones have the wand directly wired into the front and you have to dismantle the thing to replace it.

Someone else in here was telling me that there is custom firmware for these. Have you flashed yours with custom firmware? If so, is it easy to do? Is it easy to go back to the stock firmware if I wanted?

[elcaron]

@dbemowsk I have not flashed it. You can get one with a connector, but keep in mind that the exposed connector in the base is probably dangerous.

[dbemowsk]

@elcaron I am curious why the exposed connector inside would be dangerous?

[dbemowsk]

I settled on this one from Amazon. It comes with 3 nozzles, an extra heater element, 2 pairs of ESD tweezers, another part removal tool and a solder sucker. I debated on one that had both the hot air gun and a regular adjustable soldering iron, but I already have my Weller WES51 that I love.

[elcaron]

@dbemowsk It is not if you know and keep it attached. It is just terrible design in general, that would never be approved.

[MiKa]

https://github.com/madworm/Youyue-858D-plus
if someone want to try ;)

[alexsh1]

@dbemowsk I can highly recommend this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkyMMkqkAh4

[dbemowsk]

@alexsh1 I was looking at one like that for around $77 US, but I already have a soldering iron and a bench power supply. Not that having an extra iron or bench power supply is a bad thing, I just didn't see it as a need right now. The one thing I didn't have was a hot air station. I ended up ordering the one from Amazon in my post from yesterday. I should have it tomorrow.

[alexsh1]

@dbemowsk I decided to go for 3-in-1 after google and reviewing a few products. And yes having a spare power supply / iron (mine has a japanese heating element) is definitely a good thing.

[dbemowsk]

@alexsh1 My iron is a Weller and has been excellent. I should be receiving the new hot air station tomorrow. I'll have to see how it does.

[alexsh1]

@dbemowsk Yes, it is hard to beat Weller, I agree.
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