Replacement:TOL-10706. We no longer carry this hot-air station but check out our new SparkFun branded units. This page is for reference only.
Multi-function soldering and hot-air for maximum operation and minimum bench space! Unit comes with a heat gun, four nozzles, fine-tip soldering iron, iron holder with sponge, and gun holster that attaches to the side of the base. Air pump is built into the base so no external compressor is needed. The iron is a very capable iron (don't let the price fool you!) with a equally impressive hot-air gun.
12 lbs. shipping weight
Be sure to checkout the Surface Mount Soldering Tutorial
We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
No reviews yet.
do you provide a ~240VAC variant?
they dont but you could use a step down transformer like this one
http://www.beststuff.co.uk/store/Power-Bright-500-Watt-Step-Down-Up-Voltage-Converter.htm it is a step up and down transformer you just have to set it right
Had been using the unit for over a week now and very satisfied with the quality. The pump is a bit loud and makes my whole equipment rack rattle, but that's what you get for such low price.
There are replacement heating elements for the air gun that come with the unit, but no replacement tips for the soldering iron, so take good care of it. Extra bits cost as much as a cheap stand-alone thing.
Make sure to remove the transportation safety screw form the bottom of the unit prior to operating. There is a warning on the first page of the manual and a sticker on the base itself, but they're still easy to miss for someone who's eager to take the thing out of the box and power it on.
I suggest putting a huge RTFM sticker on every package!
The temperature conversions are incorrect.
500 Celcius is 932 Farenheit, not 896.
Seems of OK quality.
The included holding bracket for the hot air gun has two mounting screws on the body of the control unit. Very convenient!
The moment I removed it from the box 4 white plastic bits fell off the back. I opened it up, and it appears that the mounting method for the PSU at the back of the device is broken. They are little plastic expanding rivets, and the heads broke off. As a result, the PSU was 'floating' around inside the case. I was able to replace the plastic clips with screws + standoff.
I got this last year for the startup I worked at. Great station for the price. SOIC-28s and TQFP-44 were super easy, and blasting D2PAKs with the hot air made desoldering busted MOSFETs about 20x easier than with an iron. Definitely a good buy.
How many Watts is the soldering iron part of this?
The iron consumes 35W, according to Aoyue's site. The hot-air component is 450W.
The key information I need to make a decisionn whether to buy this item is a list of the iron tips available (only one? Not even a money saving quantity pack?), and a "hot air rework replacement element" that actually fits, not just one that "a skilled person" can make fit. I see by the tutorial that I probably would not need additional nozzles, but offering a variety of nozzles in the "Related Products" would also be an indication SparkFun and the manufacturer intend to sell and support this station for some time to come, because what it all comes down to is "If I buy this, will I be able to get everything I need to keep it alive and useful until it is obsolete?".
Then there is the question of lead-free solder. There is another station listed as for lead free solder (out of stock), but it doesn't get any hotter, So why would this station not also be for use with lead free solder?
Maybe I'm just one of the people "breakout boards" were made for.
They have lasted some of our techs 3 years without having to replace any parts what so ever. That means they can be used five days a week for about 3 hours a day for 2 years.
In other words, if your station dies in a matter of weeks or a few months, there is something that was manufactured incorrectly.
These are decent mid level soldering stations. If you have some experience you will be able to solder 64 pin QFPs, LCC, and if you are lucky small BGA packages. Don't expect the tips or heating elements to last you a decade like some high level soldering stations. These are mid level soldering stations.
What died in your hot air irons? I haven't heard of Ayoue's dying before.
Have you modified it at all?
Details. Maybe we can help.
I had TWO of these break on me now. What a waste of money. I'd expect Sparkfun to have higher standards than this junk.
I got this reply from Aoyue:
It is not advisable to convert the 110V units to 220V units. As the following are not compatible:
Pump, heating element and transformer.
I saw from their website that they provide 110 AND 220V versions. This may be done by changing the transformers or by using a transformer with two input levels. If the latter is the case, it would be easy to mod this into a 220V version. Can anyone with a unit open it up and check?
Joachim
"Me Too" on a 230V-AC version. This might already be happy with 230V, maybe someone there at SF could check the label on one of them?
I'd like to second the request for a 220v (european) version of this, or a similar item.
Does anyone know what kind of fuse this takes? My fuse blew and I can't seem to find any sort of marking that would show what the amperage is on the fuse (although I'm sure it's right in front of me). You'd think it would be on the back of the station or in the manual...
For an FYI, its a 5 amp fuse im pretty sure