Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station Unboxing and Review

In this video, we take a look at the Hakko FX-888D soldering station, both an unboxing and a review.
Note: The model I have came with accessory tips, which may not be included in all packages.
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[@TechNed]

I bought one last year. They're around $200AUD here. My last small iron was a Scope Minispeed(!) (carbon stub heating element from the 1970s). Despite the presence of both 'Up' & 'Down' buttons on the competitive Weller WE1010, overall I thought this Hakko had several superior features (enough to overlook the cons) - especially the stable stand. Like you, I have little need for password-protected lockout and I might actually use the presets if they were more conveniently accessible.

[@rosi6144]

Configuring preset modes is so so simple. There are vids on youtube showing how. In one minute i had my two presets with my favorite temperatures ready to work. Nice station!!!

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

I didn't like the sponge at first as well until I figured out that you're supposed to pop out those little semi circles in the middle that are connected to the slits, then you push those down into the holder, and when you fill up water in the reservoir, it keeps sopping up water from those little pieces that stick down into the whole sponge. It keeps the sponge wet for a really long time, I've never had a sponge stay wet for that long, like I come back days later and it's still wet enough to keep working. This person does it in their review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5CTfWqPr6pkpck

[@BrendaEM]

Sponge broke already.

[@1966babysnakes]

Many thanks for a very in depth review,

[@AMPLIFICADORCOMTRANSFORMADOR]

Very good, Brenda

[@tonyd1149]

Thank you for making & posting this video. (¿More buttons? It's Godzilla. [Looks & min controls/wide functionality is huge with the kaizen folks). I just got one, and I love the Japanese parts tolerances, generous Iron coating (tips), robust designs, and fit/function. I even like the stand up monolith base (design), (taking up less space on my wider top B&D workbench). (God willing, I hope to pass this unit down to my nephew/or_someone in years to come). (Used plug-in irons until now: too hot, damaging the PCBs). (Thank you Lord).

[@humberto367]

Hello Brenda! please do you have the drawings for cutting the floor of the cockpit of the F-16, laser cutting? Thank you!!!🖖

[@solitaire5142]

2 years later and how is it holding up, do you like it? I picked one of these up a little while ago when my trusty 20 year + Weller WTCPT took a crap on me in the middle of a job. Time was of the essence and I was unable to get a replacement Weller so I (reluctantly) settled on the Hakko. Overall its a good unit but I`ve been a Weller guy since the mid `70s. I think Ill repair mine and have the 2 stations in my arsenal.

[@BrendaEM]

So far, except for the sponge, it has been a good soldering station. The tip selection is a bit strange. I have done everything from surface mount to soldering grounds on potentiometers. The heat recovery is really good, as the other reviews had said. The sponge tore, as I thought it would. Also it's fussy to use. The standard general purpose tip is just a bit larger than the old Weller station, I used.

[@anonymouseniller6688]

Thanks for the video! It answers one of my questions about the genuine fx888, viz how much of a snug fit it is of the tip and the element. Could you do one more video showing how tightly the tip contacts the element while it's hot?

[@BrendaEM]

The element diameter has some clearance around the tip. It has to because they expand at different rates. I'm still happy with the soldering station, but I have no idea why they cut up the sponge.

[@anonymouseniller6688]

@@BrendaEM Thanks! About the cuts on the sponge, what I've heard is that it let's you wipe the tip on an edge

[@ftcministriesworldwide]

Brenda, what ever happened with the linuxcnc gui project? We're still waiting 🙂

[@snipermanboss]

I love mine ive had mine 2 years ive have my set to Celsius heats up faster in Celsius i never use the sponge cuz it shocks the tip and the tips wont last long i allways use the brass sponge and i had to calibrate mine cuz it was off by 50° other then that i love it

[@smoll.miniatures]

Heats up faster in celsius 🤦‍♂️😂

[@greglivo]

Yep, I learned my lesson about the sponge. I used it a bunch with an old Weller iron and a brand new tip literally wore through and broke off after about 6 hours of use where I was sponge cleaning between solder joints.

[@greglivo]

@@HansCampbell the iron I was using was about 40 years old. I suspect that the stat on it was bad and it was running too hot. The tip was a genuine Weller OEM part.

[@irishguy200007]

It's like setting an alarm clock

[@irishguy200007]

Why such a great soldering iron is made difficult to use?

[@2216sammy]

I don't find it difficult to use at all , as a matter of fact I never touched the buttons at all , I just switch it on and go to work, it always heats up to the factory set 750 degrees .

[@NiHaoMike64]

The poor UI design is a common complaint with the digital version. But in 2020, why not a TS100 instead?

[@BrendaEM]

The TS100 is very popular. They seem capable and svelte. If I seek and can afford a portable soldering iron, I may get one someday. Though, the saying goes "fear sells," and with me, that speaks loudly. I took a gamble that the Hakko would be more durable. I just bought a water-resistant Fluke multimeter that can take a 12-foot drop. My last computer build lasted for 8 years. I usually buy Thinkpad computers for the same reason. Comparing them, there is no foam grip on the TS100, nor a fire-and-forget stand. For long hours, these are two features I wanted. When working on surface-mount stuff, I ended up using a binocular microscope. For me, it was a benefit to know where the hot soldering iron was.

[@krnlg]

@@BrendaEM I bought one. It is *very* powerful, but annoying to use and feels very flimsy. The ergonomics are not good either - I kept pressing the buttons accidentally while using it, and it also makes a concerning crackling sound when heating up if I run at 24v. The TS80 might be more robust, but the 100 doesn't feel like it will last long. I'm probably going to resell it; overall I wish I'd bought something more substantial. I don't really need direct heat tips so may get an 888D. For the price the TS100 is great, and its power is really amazing (on 24v), but that's it. Not for me.

[@BrendaEM]

@@krnlg Thanks for the info. Perhaps the crackling is just expansion?

[@krnlg]

@@BrendaEM You might be right - I opened it up and couldn't see anything wrong!

[@shawnwise2458]

Brenda, you are correct about the ts100. Mine failed on me after about 20 hrs with a "sensor error". I shouldn't have wasted money on it.

[@RicktheRecorder]

Absolutely no information in the manual or on line on how to change the tips, or the precautions you should take. The semi-circular cutouts in the sponge, the manual explains, are pressed out and put in the bottom of the tray, it seems to transfer water to the main sponge. All rather strange, complicated and probably unnecessary. The UI is obviously hopeless: the design team have been allowed to run away with this, unsupervised.

[@TechNed]

I was about to make similar comment, re: the semi-cylindrical sponges. They transfer water from the reservoir to keep the main sponge moist for longer.

[@irishguy200007]

Don't use the instruction manual