Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow)

I went through 2 cheap soldering stations that lasted a few months before they failed. This was highly recommended by a knowledgeable Utuber and I am still impressed after owning one since 2018. I dont understand the complaints about the user interface as it is very simple and easy to use. Only thing I can think of is some of the reviews are for a different product, something that is pretty common here, as this doesnt have a touch screen and the controls are separate up/down buttons to change temp and an on/off rocker with on the side - how can that be hard to use? I dunno. I have yet to need to change the tip and I use mine a few times a week. If you want a good iron soldering station this is it, period.

My old Weller and Radio Shack irons took forever to heat and seldom reached high enought temperature even with a clean and tinned tip. This heats up fast and holds an adequately high temperature.

Ive been saying that Im learning to solder for a long time now and thats because I never purchased the proper iron and so I thought it was the fact that I lacked the skill and know how. Now I know the cheaper irons, which I have 2 of, one is not temp controlled and the other just didnt get hot enough. If I would have known that I just needed to invest in a great iron, I would have empowered myself a long time ago. Its sturdy, easy to use, easy to change the controls and I like that the power unit is separate from the holder. The only thing I would suggest is if you are soldering pcbs youll probably need to purchase an additional tip as the one included works but is a little wide for tiny pcb probject IMHO.

Im a light hobby user, so this product is probably overkill, but when I needed to source new elements and tips for my Weller pencil-type irons, I decided to consider a controllable station instead. The FX-888 heats up quickly (MUCH faster my old Weller irons), and provides great results. The adjustable temperature allows me to use one tool for various tasks, and tips are readily available. The cord connecting the iron to the controller is very supple, so moving the pencil around while working is easy. I just wish they had considered this for the power cord, as its quite stiff. The base is sturdy and well-weighted, and the built-in cavity for the wire-mesh iron cleaner is a plus. One drawback is the lack of a power on indicator. The flashing ready light is in a poor position for visibility, and can be easily missed if you look at just the right (wrong?) time. I will be adding another LED in the top of the unit. Im also not keen on the brightly-colored and contoured appearance of the unit, but styling is subjective. Id also prefer the holder and controller be joined units for easier portability, but this is a minor inconvenience. Overall, Im very satisfied with the unit, and am pleased with the purchase. SUMMARY: PROS: Heats quickly Good range of temperature adjustment Wide selection of tips available Flexible iron cord Sturdy base with tip cleaner CONS: Fisher-Price styling Controller and base are separate units No power-on indicator Poor Heating LED placement Stiff power cord

For nearly 20 years I have been too cheap to understand the difference between a soldering iron and a digitally controlled soldering tool. If you want to save money, time, frustration/agony, and save the planet by not having to waste precious resources of your time and logistical costs, buy this now! Heck, since you are looking at this, buy this. I have never been able to get a solid understanding of how to solder. TURNS OUT I NEVER HAD THE RIGHT TOOL! If you dont buy this, you will forever regret it. I unboxed it. Fumbled with how to turn it on, and finally noticed the on/off switch on the side. It was set at 750 by default. I instantly became a soldering MASTER! 5 Minutes later, I am here writing this review to save all those out there the woes caused by those cheap soldering irons. SOLDERING MAGIC!!! I CAN SOLDER! YEEEHAW!

I thought that I was bad at soldering. Turns out I just needed to spend more than $15 on a soldering iron. My only complaint with this unit is that it is a bit harder to change temp than in units with both plus and minus buttons. Not a huge issue as I tend to use one of 2 solders so mostly it is set it and forget it, but it might be nice to have a little more fine control based on what type of job Im doing as well as solder type. I also would have liked to go for one of the newer types that have the heater in the replaceable cartridge tips, but I couldnt justify the cost as a hobbyist.

Im using this for various applications, from soldering tabbing wire on delicate solar cells, soldering components on perf boards, to soldering wires of various wires together. The temperature control is a necessity for these various uses and the Hakko works great. This Hakko is great if you plan to solder more than a few things as its quite affordable for the semi serious, but quality enough to please a professional. The time to heat up is very quick and you can start to solder within 10-15 seconds. Other fixed wattage irons Ive used take a minute or more and you cant really tell if its reached its proper temperature. The Hakko will show when its reached the desired temperature. Simply turn it on seconds before you need it and itll be ready. I was impressed. Setting the temperature is actually quite nice, but you might need to read the instruction manual (gasp!) to figure out how to do it the first time since the two button interface isnt intuitive. The iron holder comes with the sponge and wire, which makes cleaning off the iron very easy. Its also very stable feeling and made of metal so it feels like a quality stand. The iron cable is a nice soft silicon which makes handling and moving the iron effortless as the wire wont stiffen up, twist, or get in your way. Fixed irons with their stiff cables retain the bends and twists that they get so you might knock something off your desk thats three feet away. But not with the Hakko and its those little things that make this unit a joy. This is my first variable wattage iron so its leagues above a fixed wattage iron. After using a variable temperature iron, you cant go back.

So everyone raves about this gun. I bought it a few years ago and used it one time. Worked great. Tried to use it again temp reads 800 but will barely melt solder. Tried multiple tips thinking that had to be the problem. Used a thermal heat gun to measure tip and shaft temp. Read 180-200 deg even though unit stated it was 800. Gonna try a different unit -- bummer because I spent 120 bucks on this thing

In order to reset the HAKKO FX-888D back to the factory default settings, hold down the UP and ENTER buttons and turn the power on. The display will show A (for Asian defaults and display in Celsius) or U (for US defaults and display in Fahrenheit). You can press the UP button to toggle the value shown between A and U. When you have made your selection, press the ENTER button and the factory reset will be complete. NOTE: When resetting the unit to factory default settings, it may be necessary to re-adjust the tip temperature so that the unit is within specifications for tip temperature accuracy (±15°C/27°F). To make the tip temperature adjustments, you will need a device that can measure the tip temperature (such as a HAKKO FG-100 Tip Thermometer) or other thermocouple measuring device. To perform the tip temperature adjustment: 1.When the HAKKO FX-888D is on, hold down the ENTER button to set your tip temperature to 750°F. If you are using the Celsius, set your tip temperature to 350°C. 2.Clean your soldering iron tip and apply a fresh coating of solder. 3.Measure the tip temperature using your HAKKO FG-100 Tip Thermometer (or equivalent device) and record this value. Be sure your device is measuring in the same temperature scale as the temperature display of the HAKKO FX-888D. 4.Hold down the UP button on the HAKKO FX-888D, and program in the value that was recorded from step 2. 5.Repeat Steps 2 through 4 above until the measured temperature is ±12°F of the set temperature of 750°F (or ±7°C of the set temperature of 350°C) If after resetting to factory specs. the Preset Mode doesnt work see this YouTube video........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5ymGXuowU8

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