Upgrading from a 'Fake' to a Genuine Hakko FX-951 Soldering Iron

[@m3chanist]

Lovely bit of kit mate and at a complete bargain price, the ahhh of satisfaction you let out on that first Atari board, brilliant.

[@3vi1J]

I've got a pretty cheap iron right now, but noticed that a lot of guys here use Hakko's. If nothing else, this video has made me aware that I need to be careful of fakes when I go to upgrade. Thank you for the vid!

[@flashjazzcat]

I knew of the fakes thanks to Louis' video and decided to risk it, but I'm really happy to have the real thing now. Glad the video is useful!

[@outfield1988]

Hako 951 is the bomb.

[@Mclaneinc]

Sorry to hear there's been a dip Jon, I'm subscribed to about 5 people but lately in order to have a video weekly you get video's about what is in a box of old PC parts and the like, they come across as 'fillers', which is why I look forward to your stuff because its always interesting, helpful and great fun. I hope you and the new iron get on well, no domestic squabbles I hope :)

[@flashjazzcat]

Yes I've noticed that too about the 'fillers'. I could just live-stream whatever I'm doing but they were never especially popular in the past (I used to do nothing but streams). No domestic problems, anyway: I told Deborah I'd seen this iron for £200, and she said 'buy it'. I followed up by ordering her a new dress, so the delicate balance of the Universe is maintained.

[@Mclaneinc]

@@flashjazzcat Lol, I was more mentioning the balance between you and the iron as you are now close partners, but Debs needs to be included in the mix for sure :). Glad you have not gone down the road of these filler type vids, I prefer quality vs quantity.. You and Debs stay safe... And puss too...

[@machinist_matt]

Just bought one of these used. Do you know where I might get the key thing? I've looked everywhere, no one has them in stock! 🙁 Also are the genuine tips worth the extra over fake ones?

[@flashjazzcat]

Found some 3D-printed replacement keys here: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325784221642 I don't think I've ordered tips from Hakko yet; I just buy them on eBay and pay only GBP 5 or so per tip. They seem to perform well and last a long time.

[@adamv242]

Great stuff, Jon.. congrats on the upgrade!

[@andreiciora2765]

Very good choice i use the same iron and is amazing they are build like a thank in my opinion . Louis Rossmain is a source of espiration for me to . I hope You will be happy with your unit .

[@allmor77]

those keys are for industrial use when your supervisor sets a certain temp and he take the key to not modify the temp to work faster

[@flashjazzcat]

Yeah, that's what Louis Rossmann said when he was reviewing the Hakko.

[@islewebdesign1150]

So, is 450 the temp you normally use with board repairs? Good video!

[@flashjazzcat]

Thanks! Yep. I barely if ever adjust the temp.

[@islewebdesign1150]

@@flashjazzcat Thanks for the reply. Yes, i just tried my 951 with it set at 450 and awesome! was having issues before but that setting is perfect. Many thanks :)

[@flashjazzcat]

@@islewebdesign1150 That's great news. Honestly, I get some nay-sayers regarding the temperature but it's all about technique. It's probably easier to damage a board by labouring relentlessly over a solder joint with insufficient heat, rather than going in 'hard and fast' :)

[@svsv9]

I did not get the fake, I have been using a horse work OEM Hakko 936 fake heater element. Electric bill is little huge since I lost a lot of heating becase loose ceramic improper tip contact. Do you know if fake Hakko T12 tips will work on the original Hakko? how good so far you station since the video btw?

[@flashjazzcat]

I have quite a lot of fake T12 tips and they're all working nicely in the real FX-951. As for the station itself: I love it and recommend it without reservation. The fake station was almost as good, to be honest, but it's nice to have the sleep facility and the nice cradle (the holder on the fake station is terrible). The FX-951 is a soldering station for life, IMO.

[@MsNIKITA]

You can simply stick a bit of plastic into the hole where the key would go, and the basee wouldn't know any different.

[@svsv9]

My English is pretty bad, but as I understood, gettin a fake from ali is a bad idea? I need to start fixing Iphones, I need ILS tips, How about QUICKO or KSGER?

[@flashjazzcat]

The fake is OK and performs roughly as well as the real one in my experience, but mine beeped at random times and of course it lacks the sleep function. If you are on a tight budget, the fake will do the job, but you might consider a TS-100 instead if the money is tight. Many T12 irons from China are now pretty good.

[@svsv9]

@@flashjazzcat I am considering this Hakko, it seems is doing the job, the other I mentioned don't have Esd, neither grounded. Just last question, the T12 tip is has continuity with Ground power cord? Thank you for answering, nice video it has help me.

[@flashjazzcat]

@@svsv9 Everything was properly grounded on both irons I tested, yes.

[@byteoncomputerservices8054]

Nice find! Those Hakko units tend to fetch almost as much money second hand as brand new.

[@flashjazzcat]

You're right. I didn't hesitate to snap this up!

[@byteoncomputerservices8054]

@@flashjazzcat I was looking at one that's rough at best compared to yours and I would have saved about $60.00 including postage over brand new price. I may as well just spend the extra $60.00 for a unit that doesn't look like it's spent its life outside. I've got soldering station envy!

[@flashjazzcat]

@@byteoncomputerservices8054 I noticed one on eBay which looked really beaten up and had tape over the top of the base unit. I was not tempted. :) Farnell only want £335 brand new (link in description), which I think is as good as it'll get (for UK buyers, at least).

[@byteoncomputerservices8054]

@@flashjazzcat that sounds remarkably like the one I was looking at. Oh well, my Chinesium early Hakko clone is still working fine after rebuilding the iron as the original handle broke. I'll just keep using old trusty until I find a bargain like yours.

[@thetechfromheaven]

I work at a city which has a lot of electronic factories and these usually become available off lease after a couple of years, these things are everywhere around here, I got a nice one with brand new Lindstrom tips for roughly $100

[@mohandmohand2047]

You meaning do not buy repairing tool aliexpress coz job well be trush and damge console or stuff you fix????

[@flashjazzcat]

Not at all. The 'fake' iron was perfectly usable, but the real Hakko is better.

[@janparra9551]

Hi, how come your Hakko solder iron pencil doesn’t lit on the back?

[@flashjazzcat]

It's an FM-2028, not an FM-2027: hakko.com.sg/blogs/tune-in-with-hakko/differences-between-fm-2027-and-fm-2028

[@tetley3737]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

[@outfield1988]

Cool you have the same equipment I do.

[@andreiciora2765]

I want to buy the Hakko fr810 and i want to ask is a much good choise over then the quick 861DW

[@flashjazzcat]

I made a review of the BST-863 a couple of years back. Very happy with it (it's the equal of the Quick 861DW).

[@andreiciora2765]

@@flashjazzcat and wath do You think about Hakko fr 810.

[@flashjazzcat]

@@andreiciora2765 Looks good if you need those dual ports, but I don't have the space or the need here. I am sure you cannot go wrong with the Hakko gear, though.

[@flashjazzcat]

There is also an Atten hot air station which Louis now favours over the Quick. Check that one out too.

[@andreiciora2765]

@@flashjazzcat olright thank you for the opinion

[@jeffdewe]

Just open it, you'll find two sensors where the key goes, Bend each one away from each other, Once you do that you'll never need a key again, some people use just a piece of black tape, I bent mine and tossed that a key away. 2 second fix.

[@cannfoddr]

I got one of those Ali T12 stations irons and a bunch of tips. Very small seems to work well - much cheaper than the Hakko

[@flashjazzcat]

Yeah they're very good. I just wanted the sleep facility and the nice stand here, and £200 was too good to resist.

[@cannfoddr]

@@flashjazzcat did you say where you got it from?

[@flashjazzcat]

@@cannfoddr I did, yes. eBay, pre-owned, hardly used.

[@guayabito6946]

That is the problem with buying all of these fake chineese products, in the end you end-up paying the same or more if you would have bought the real thing.

wow

[@brianwild4640]

try for 1 video a week even if it is just a 5 min answering question lots of channels do this it seems to work

[@flashjazzcat]

Thanks Brian. I might try that.

[@nexus1972]

Not inpressed with the hakko 951 interface. Sorry not a fan of Hakkos now what once was a good brand is now the same quality as the Chinese stuff but at 4x the price.

[@salmanrashid6245]

Genuine is far better. You get what you pay for.

[@nexus1972]

@@salmanrashid6245 I disagree. There's a lot of gear that's cheap that is on equal or better quality than some brands. Used to use a hakko but binned it after I got an aixun t3a. Could never go back to that now.

[@brianwild4640]

nice to see you back. still got to send you my atari I will give you an email soon I have my sophia2 now