I love new tools... This arrived yesterday... $72.00 on Amazon. I haven't used it yet, but on Pablo's recommendation, as well as others here on SB, I got one.
New tool
#1
Posted 28 August 2020 - 02:43 PM
- crazyphysicsteacher likes this
"Kinky Kar"
#2
Posted 28 August 2020 - 02:57 PM
Great iron with a lot of mass in the tip for my production work so it maintains the tip temperature. I just wish the cord was more flexible.
- Half Fast and Rotorranch like this
Jim Difalco
Difalco Design
3075 NE Loquat Lane
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
(772) 334-1987
askjim@difalcoonline.com
#3
Posted 28 August 2020 - 03:10 PM
I agree with the cord being a little heavy and stiff, but I'm used to that from my old Hakko 455. I like my Hakko 888 because of the light weight cord, but it's lacking the mass and temp.
Rotor
"Kinky Kar"
#4
Posted 28 August 2020 - 03:12 PM
A great choice of soldering iron
- Rotorranch likes this
#5
Posted 28 August 2020 - 03:29 PM
Great choice, IMHO the best all-around soldering iron out there for slot car work.
- Rotorranch likes this
Jay Guard
IRRA Board of Directors (2022-Present),
Gator Region Retro Racing Co-Director (2021-Present)
SERRA Co-Director (2009-2013)
IRRA BoD advisor (2007-2010)
Team Slick 7 member (1998-2001)
Way too serious Retro racer
#6
Posted 28 August 2020 - 03:52 PM
- Tim Neja, Rotorranch and crazyphysicsteacher like this
Anthony 'Tonyp' Przybylowicz
5/28/50-12/20/21
Requiescat in Pace
#7
Posted 28 August 2020 - 06:36 PM
Jeff, I bought the same one 3-4 years ago. Beats any I've had before. A few months ago I was going to change the tip and the barrel would not unscrew I ended up breaking the ceramic inside. I got new parts and emailedHakko USA to be sure about how to solder the new ceramic element in place. They were very helpful and told me they would refurbish it for $20. They sent me a UPS sticker and I returned it for service. I got it back about 2 weeks later packaged just like yours. Total cost was $20 plus $7 return postage and it is like a new one. Great customer service of a great iron.
- Pablo, Tim Neja and Rotorranch like this
Matt Bishop
#8
Posted 28 August 2020 - 07:02 PM
Carefully stripping this much off the outer jacket makes a huge difference.Great iron with a lot of mass in the tip for my production work so it maintains the tip temperature. I just wish the cord was more flexible.
I don't even think about it anymore.
- gotboostedvr6 and crazyphysicsteacher like this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#9
Posted 28 August 2020 - 07:33 PM
Great idea, Mike!
Don Weaver
A slot car racer who never grew up!
The supply of government exceeds demand.
L.H. Lapham
If the brain-eating amoeba invades Washington
it will starve to death...
#10
Posted 28 August 2020 - 08:22 PM
I got the idea from a local wing racer, Michael Iga.
One of Canadian racer buddies, Kevin Abe, stripped his, 100%, including the cloth.
It's just the wires, IIRC, with a few tie wraps around them, to keep them somewhat managed.
- SpeedyNH likes this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#11
Posted 28 August 2020 - 08:27 PM
#12
Posted 28 August 2020 - 08:47 PM
I've got one in my slot box--it's been going strong for over 10 years--- great iron. I use their solder station at home--works great and has a much lighter cord!
#13
Posted 29 August 2020 - 08:53 AM
Jeff, I bought the same one 3-4 years ago. Beats any I've had before. A few months ago I was going to change the tip and the barrel would not unscrew I ended up breaking the ceramic inside. I got new parts and emailedHakko USA to be sure about how to solder the new ceramic element in place. They were very helpful and told me they would refurbish it for $20. They sent me a UPS sticker and I returned it for service. I got it back about 2 weeks later packaged just like yours. Total cost was $20 plus $7 return postage and it is like a new one. Great customer service of a great iron.
I had the same problem a few weeks ago. Total cost with them replacing the parts plus shipping back to me was $53.51.
I now recommend frequently taking the tip off the ceramic heater to make sure it doesn't freeze over time.
- NSwanberg, Rotorranch and MattD like this
Jim Honeycutt
"I don't think I'm ever more 'aware' than I am right after I hit my thumb with a hammer." - Jack Handey [Deep Thoughts]
#14
Posted 29 August 2020 - 11:22 AM
Another caution: don't cut back the mains voltage as a way of controlling the heat. That can damage it or at least throw off the calibration. Use only the on-handle control.
- Rotorranch likes this
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing
#15
Posted 29 August 2020 - 01:52 PM
Locktite LB8036 anti-seize. I still use some old Ungar anti-seize compound that I have left.
- Pablo, Tim Neja and Bill from NH like this
#16
Posted 29 August 2020 - 02:19 PM
I put some anti seize on it when I got it back. My cost of $20 plus one way shipping doesn't include the ceramic heater ad new barrel I ordered from a supplier, that was around $35.
- Rotorranch likes this
Matt Bishop
#17
Posted 29 August 2020 - 03:17 PM
I was wondering about anti-seize... I've used high temp anti seize on my 455.
I guess I'll see when I take it apart.
Rotor
"Kinky Kar"
#18
Posted 29 August 2020 - 03:25 PM
Jeff,
I really like the thermostat feature on your new tool.
I made this one from a light dimmer and a 2 gang plug about 40 years ago for a wax pen.Now I just plug in any soldering iron. Been using this as a way to control soldering heat for 30 years with no issues.
I like you can see what heat you have from the small light bulb. When I walk away I just knock the needle to low heat.
- Tim Neja, Phil Smith, Rotorranch and 1 other like this
#19
Posted 29 August 2020 - 03:59 PM
While you are still good, order another tip. Have an extra one on hand as once it goes bad it really goes bad.
Sent from my Nokia 7.1 using Tapatalk
- Rotorranch and stemmy like this
Chris Wendel
Silver Side Down Racing
Silver Side Down Graphics
The Race Place Retro Crew member
"Failure teaches way more than success. It shows what does not work and what to never do again, again..." 🙊🙈🙉
#20
Posted 29 August 2020 - 04:08 PM
And tube and sleeve... Been there, got the t-shirt!
👍👍👍
Rotor
"Kinky Kar"
#21
Posted 29 August 2020 - 04:34 PM
I don't have a temp control except the one built in the iron, I did put together a timer 30 years ago. It's one of those rotary timers that can be cranked around to 60 minutes It's in a box on my work bench and it has a plug that brings power in and it feeds another box with a 110 receptacle in it. My iron is always plugged in, but doesn't turn on until I twist the timer to 10 minutes or so. I haven't walked off and left it on and burned it up for 25 years!!!
- Phil Smith and Rotorranch like this
Matt Bishop
#22
Posted 29 August 2020 - 07:20 PM
You'll soon find yourself wondering why you didn't buy one much sooner!
- Danny Zona likes this
#23
Posted 30 August 2020 - 07:16 PM
A dimmer like Martin's in post 18 should not be used with the Hakko 601 or any feedback driven temp controlled ceramic iron. Such dimmers are fine with old school nichrome type heating elements. Like the iron shown with it.
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing
#24
Posted 30 August 2020 - 09:54 PM
The same probably holds true for the Inland temperature control, Good thing I have some Ungar irons & parts..
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#25
Posted 30 August 2020 - 11:58 PM
Good to know Bill and Don.
I guess I am more old school that I realized. But you know the saying if its not broke.........