Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

[fuxxy]

I'm a DIY'er, dumpster diver, "can't throw away something just because it's broken"-er. Located in USA, so 110V.

Never had a hot air machine before, but with more and more stuff going SMD, I think it's time. Looking to spend roughly $100

A few threads suggest the Atten brand. Their website lists the 852D on the front page, and it seems there's a lot of clones that use the 852D model designator.

I already own a Weller WLC100 iron.
Would the 852D be suggested for someone such as myself? And what are your opinions regarding potential clones?

[Agent24]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

They're cheap. They work. If it's just for home\hobby use it would be fine.

If you want it for serious use get something better quality.

Also pays to check out the safety of the mains wiring in anything cheap from China before you plug it in!

[stj]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

get one with the fan in the handpiece, the older type with a pump in the base suffers from kinks in the air hose.

i'm not saying get an all-in-one specifically, bases are o.k.,
but you want the handpiece with vents on it and a regular cable on it, not the type with a hose with the cables inside.

i have the hose type - when it dies i wont be using this type again - it's a pain in the ass

[Agent24]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

I've not used one with a fan, but I've got one with a hose and it works just fine...

[stj]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

I've not used one with a fan, but I've got one with a hose and it works just fine...

for now, eventually it will get kinks where it enters the base.
i was thinking about making some type of "strain-relief" using a stiff spring on mine.

btw, most company's are going over to the fan design now anyway - i suspect it's cheaper to make when they dont need a hose or a filter or a big pump and shock-mounts to reduce noise and vibration.
also the bases can be much smaller.

[diif]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

This is the one i have. A quick vid showing a potential danger of buying cheap and a mod i shall be doing very soon now i know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C_VzIGi7aM

[stj]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

interesting,
if you bring the air inlet out of the case, make sure there is an inline filter inside the case before the pump.
otherwise if you get any crap in it you will be sorry!

[diif]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

Noted stj, i think i'll change the heatsink and resistor first to increase it's life before playing with the vacuum.

[Agent24]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

for now, eventually it will get kinks where it enters the base.

Well, if it was going to happen I'd expect it to happen by now. I've had it about 3 years: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10263 and it was 2nd hand when I got it.

I have always avoided sharp bends in the hose during use and storage, the hose hangs in a wide loop off the side of my work table when not in use. Perhaps that is why I have not had any issue so far.

The wires inside the hose are also quite thick which maybe help it keep its shape?

[budm]

Re: Looking to purchase first Hot Air station

The HAKKO I use at work has spring relief on both ends of the hose, we use in the lab everyday for more than 6 years now, no problem with the hose at all, you can always add the springs to the, like agent24 said, there are wires inside so it is not that easy to kink the hose, it is made from Silicone.
And yes, do check the wiring inside to make sure the Line and Neutral are properly wired.