SparkFun Electronics Commentsurn:uuid:214d0e4e-f1b1-d287-ce26-ac5b4c9f82492024-03-19T04:17:39-06:00SparkFun ElectronicsBerenV on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationBerenVurn:uuid:3443d37f-a623-ba69-c2b9-074101824ea92019-04-05T21:56:35-06:00<p>Ah, that makes sense.</p>
M-Short on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationM-Shorturn:uuid:8a7dc1b9-e53b-65bf-d9a7-4e7cd6766c722018-12-31T12:14:06-07:00<p>I understand. We liked them as well, but ran into a few issues with our supplier on these. Maybe sometime in the future we'll be selling Hakkos again (probably a new version at that point).</p>
BerenV on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationBerenVurn:uuid:f1e4a2e6-b568-63ba-d48a-5260f182135e2018-12-20T22:16:52-07:00<p>I wish Sparkfun would 'un-retire' these Hakko soldering stations. These things are good, super solid units. I was hoping to come back and buy another one in 10 or 20 years when mine finally needs to be replaced!</p>
cyph3r on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationcyph3rurn:uuid:db6ebfaa-873c-68bb-3236-241609fae8e12016-06-26T10:24:47-06:00<p>I am entering non-lead soldering using SAC and other solders and found it very difficult with my current equipment. Currently looking into buying some decent non-lead soldering station. Anyone any tips? Is the Hakko FX888D the best choice? I am inclined to spend a bit more if my life gets significantly easier with costlier equipment.</p>
Customer #609919 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #609919urn:uuid:b1ca0f5d-249a-4fbc-9568-af86bbdc49dc2015-11-29T12:11:46-07:00<p>NEED EU VERSION MY DEAR.</p>
Erlis on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationErlisurn:uuid:99916d2d-a896-929c-566b-b9aab4e1a2d62015-11-15T14:52:17-07:00<p>I'm wondering... do you plan to release a EU version for this product anytime soon?</p>
gauteh on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationgautehurn:uuid:4f10a867-1cf3-1b33-e151-da267197852d2015-08-26T00:47:18-06:00<p>Hi, picture links are dead: Any chance of putting the pictures up somewhere reachable?</p>
M-Short on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationM-Shorturn:uuid:7e955ded-8254-9aaf-4214-033f0da67aed2014-09-12T09:12:57-06:00<p>Nope, sorry, us USers use 110V so unless it says otherwise always assume 110V.</p>
Customer #565173 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #565173urn:uuid:80e9edd3-5ba7-d272-70e7-1d5506d6e18a2014-09-12T03:42:17-06:00<p>Hi so this is for 230v use? or...?</p>
Arturo Arellano on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationArturo Arellanourn:uuid:8a7cb58f-90de-5e81-3375-d1d45fa02de02014-04-17T00:28:09-06:00<p>Hi! Are you restocking them anytime soon? I really want this iron.</p>
A-M on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationA-Murn:uuid:44f2499a-2a6f-6a64-077a-74813be8822d2014-04-12T20:30:30-06:00<p>Wow, you guys are just out of stock for pretty much everything huh? Both soldering stations you carry are BO, most of the good solder, ribbon cables, your meter is discontinued, SparkFun is kinda hurting right now...</p>
kaboom on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationkaboomurn:uuid:552a307b-5837-ce08-67aa-f0e2e30e49162014-03-23T07:33:29-06:00<p>The power supply where i live 220/240v 50Hz. If i get a adapter so that it works with 220v will i have a problem with the frequency being 50Hz?
Thanks for any help</p>
Customer #357478 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #357478urn:uuid:a72e8a96-d0b6-f7c7-9c24-7913f69ea28d2014-02-28T19:33:07-07:00<p>After 30 years on Radio Shack pencil irons, I decided it was time to step up. This station is a pleasure to use.</p>
Customer #500723 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #500723urn:uuid:fb6637a5-b497-690c-41ad-46d4c1fced0b2014-02-05T06:12:11-07:00<p>Just received my Hakko and I love it! What a fantastic product! Thanks SparkFun!</p>
sridenour on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationsridenoururn:uuid:172a877b-e842-4a52-bf3a-3a75f9712a062014-01-25T02:21:00-07:00<p>Great soldering iron. Gets hot fast and stays hot. Highly recommended.</p>
AboutWout on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationAboutWouturn:uuid:0e5ad4af-bccd-fbe2-51d5-3eae2153fe562014-01-21T15:29:46-07:00<p>Okay, so I just got around to installing the new transformer and it works like a charm. I knew this was fast, but damn... it heats up to the max in about 30 seconds!<p>Still need to clean things up a bit and add some heatshrink to the connections, but didn't have anything laying around.</p><p>Just a few pics:</p><ul>
<li><a href="http://www.baseworks.nl/hakko/hakko-220-01.jpg" rel="nofollow">Front</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseworks.nl/hakko/hakko-220-02.jpg" rel="nofollow">Side</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseworks.nl/hakko/hakko-220-03.jpg" rel="nofollow">Back</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Note:</strong> I don't recommend doing it this way if you value your warranty, because obviously you'll void it. Don't know if this will keep working, but the guy I got the tips from says his station still works like when it was new.</p><p>– Wouter</p></p>
AboutWout on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationAboutWouturn:uuid:04fbb4b0-ce50-2bf3-044a-bc328a647a2b2014-01-21T06:06:26-07:00<p>I'm from Europe, so no 110V here and I'd rather not use a clunky converter because I'm very limited in space.<p>But... I got a 220V > 24V transformer in the mail today, so I'm going to replace the 110V transformer with that one. I found a video on YouTube where someone did this and it worked out perfectly for him. Had a quick talk with him and he pointed me to the transformer he used. It cost me about 18 euro and he said it will take about 20 minutes to do.</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK3pTam0Gkk</p><p>– Wouter</p></p>
skbeez on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationskbeezurn:uuid:d9fa9dc8-1f8c-1309-16c1-c10879b7f1952014-01-20T20:54:58-07:00<p>I assume you aren't in the US, get a 220V to 120V converter and you'll be all set.</p>
AboutWout on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationAboutWouturn:uuid:aae8d095-62f5-5140-ddf6-e8e2dd4d69812014-01-18T08:57:58-07:00<p><strong>[facepalm]</strong><p>Now I'm stuck with a station I can't use because it isn't 220V... Even though it isn't specified in the product details, I could've known this to be the case.</p></p>
Customer #505226 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #505226urn:uuid:fec4efef-fba8-f9d7-c611-663de89ae67e2014-01-04T15:02:35-07:00<p>We need a 220V version !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (or a workaround :-) )</p>
Customer #500723 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #500723urn:uuid:67ccf485-684c-6a0f-a17c-33b0d988c2652014-01-03T15:19:18-07:00<p>When will these be restocked? I was ready to get one, then, BAM, All sold out. Thanks! :)</p>
Customer #495246 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #495246urn:uuid:a8a2075b-375e-02db-0c42-5065b5c1ad782013-12-17T17:49:55-07:00<p>I LOVE this iron. One thing I wish SF would carry (and that I can't live without) is the Hakko T18-BR02 tip. It is a standard conical tip that is bent around 30°. It is SO much easier to solder through-hole components, and I would imagine that it would help even more with surface mount stuff. It allows you to hold the working edge parallel against the board while actually holding the wand at a 30° angle. Perfection!</p>
lugovoi on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationlugovoiurn:uuid:da8a3c01-b604-efcd-b076-948a92d1b8032013-12-12T11:32:45-07:00<p>It's so sad that you don't have european version :(</p>
joserc87 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationjoserc87urn:uuid:e6e55f50-381e-fdad-1fc9-39ede0503f9a2013-12-08T10:10:30-07:00<p>It really really really sucks that you can't sell the 220V version :'(
Anyway, I think you should specify (and warn in red or something) that this is not valid in Europe, because I almost buy it until I read in the comments that is 120V!</p>
Jacob on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationJacoburn:uuid:8dc89fea-dd04-6492-362b-eee8c6e6c47f2013-10-11T12:01:45-06:00<p>Any chance you could sell the silver version shown here: http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html ?</p>
Afterthis101 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationAfterthis101urn:uuid:82b704a7-5f4a-efb8-a6b6-f9c66210e0962013-10-05T17:12:50-06:00<p>This is a great soldering station. The digital input is easy to use and the temperature setting stays where you left it when you turn it back on. The all-metal stand is of quality and easy on the eyes. I'd buy this again, but I don't think mine will quit any time soon.<p>The product photo has placed the wire sponge in the back where the hot end of your iron would go. This is incorrect. Though the placement is entirely up to the user, the wire sponge is supposed to sit in the crevice between the iron holder and the wet sponge, per the Hakko directions.</p></p>
Kamiquasi on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationKamiquasiurn:uuid:989a18dc-7b8a-8002-d35c-055e82f04e752013-05-04T07:09:23-06:00<p>nope - 110-120V. See also <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11704#comment-51448d9f757b7f5412000001" rel="nofollow">comments above</a></p>
WorldElec245 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationWorldElec245urn:uuid:9a9f914e-5599-6904-ee80-83ddfecf2e162013-05-04T06:49:01-06:00<p>Is this a 240v input ?</p>
RobertC. on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationRobertC.urn:uuid:3fa88b82-fd6d-5c1a-1648-0910381107b82013-04-22T07:16:34-06:00<p>we've though about it, but shipping adds considerable cost at that point, and we haven't been able to find a good enough price on the transformers yet.</p>
Mikkel J on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationMikkel Jurn:uuid:5e79d22c-1f98-0e55-682c-69212a36faaf2013-04-07T07:17:44-06:00<p>What about looking at it from another angle? Maybe start stocking 230v -> 110v 75W transformers, and then make a bundle thingie?</p>
neslekkim on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationneslekkimurn:uuid:2c854ff4-f2f1-53de-f81d-7d176aa5def72013-03-22T15:38:53-06:00<p>And everyone knows that proper men does not read docs.. Oh, I kinda sucked at that, so I read it, and put it in the proper place. (better not keep that brass hot always stealing heat from the iron)</p>
neslekkim on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationneslekkimurn:uuid:9a37b107-5de7-4072-869f-50a7a32f2a142013-03-22T15:35:37-06:00<p>Hakko is difficult, and this difficulty makes the market for clones exists, quite a shame really.
I sucked it in, and paid $270 for my 888d, and can't say I regret it now, it's an supergood iron, but it was kinda hard to swallow the pill when ordering.</p>
Customer #400298 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #400298urn:uuid:c4282f49-5ded-96f8-39bd-b6deb8c1d5482013-03-21T22:25:16-06:00<p>Mine came with the sponge packaged in it's own plastic bag with specific instructions to put it in the opening above the normal sponge and not in the back. Personally I don't think you would want it sitting in the sponge as it would constantly be removing heat from the iron both needlessly heating up the sponge and needlessly working the heating element of the iron (but I could be wrong about this). One thing is for sure though, with mine sitting in front of me on a desk I would have to stand up to effectively see what I'm doing when cleaning the tip with the sponge in the back.</p>
MikeGrusin on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationMikeGrusinurn:uuid:40b3b85a-9b23-9d58-3ab4-161864b755be2013-03-21T08:37:30-06:00<p>When these are used on factory floors, you may not want workers changing the settings if they don't know what they're doing. This isn't a problem at SFE.</p>
Stoopkid on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationStoopkidurn:uuid:2555652d-6674-3ef7-e3df-d80000a676522013-03-20T22:07:58-06:00<p>"Password protected temperature setting functionality"<p>What the heck would you need that for?</p></p>
RobertC. on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationRobertC.urn:uuid:30767535-f41c-d926-795c-8f7d8264e1ba2013-03-20T12:49:48-06:00<p>unfortunately sold out now.</p>
RobertC. on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationRobertC.urn:uuid:0d88e6ef-6170-5a7f-b645-b057bae071a02013-03-20T12:49:13-06:00<p>unfortunately, no. Hakko specifically won't let us sell them as we're based in the US. We've tried, hard.</p>
RobertC. on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationRobertC.urn:uuid:5c608c8e-30d5-e499-f5c2-5d264b318c372013-03-20T12:48:52-06:00<p>I think that's what I have too at home. It won't stop working though, sorry. Mine was 5+ years old and was used in contract manufacturing. I bought it used and I've had it for 10 years now. I still use the original tip even... It still works like new. It won't die. I only like buying things once.</p>
Customer #420842 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #420842urn:uuid:8c35760d-a254-767a-b128-e9d317c844e32013-03-19T22:54:51-06:00<p>If you are after the non digital version look at the recent comments on the previous model TOL-10553, good value too.</p>
Customer #260054 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationCustomer #260054urn:uuid:e4f16b3f-b150-c43b-556d-c3a050023bde2013-03-19T11:05:45-06:00<p>Digital readout is nice but for $100 needs an Auto-Off timer feature... 30 minutes no use and OFF.</p>
gagir on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationgagirurn:uuid:675005ab-9516-b510-d317-7f1d3969dff92013-03-18T19:01:12-06:00<p>This is a great price, Hakko are tough and reliable.
Just saw it for $199 on AliExpress.com</p>
Xander271 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationXander271urn:uuid:3099833d-04af-0dde-95e8-efea6697b4252013-03-18T08:51:36-06:00<p>In a small shop, it's nice to have the low end price-point at $99 vs. several hundred. I kinda wish my reliable 929 would stop working so I can justify buying this one.</p>
chartle on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationchartleurn:uuid:18d9bad9-0d8f-e6a2-ba6e-c3815efe6f802013-03-18T08:12:56-06:00<p>Yea I guess I never thought how things work in production environments. But again I just assumed this model iron is more of a prosumer tool and not really used in a shop. But now I know.<p>Its kind of like when I started working for a cab company and the quantity of stuff they have to keep in stock to keep 300 cabs on the road. Windshield wiper fluid comes in a small tanker truck and is pumped into 250 gallon holding tanks. Car engines are considered a stock items, not a "special order". :-)</p></p>
Xander271 on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationXander271urn:uuid:b511b5a7-237b-acb2-08ce-78334c0266672013-03-18T07:59:13-06:00<p>I have a discontinued Hakko 929. It requires a card that is punched with a pattern of holes to be inserted before the temperature can be changed. The 929’s card and the FX888D's password prevent 'employees' from changing the temperature and ruining the circuits by lifting the pad with too much heat.</p>
chartle on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationchartleurn:uuid:4b2a7f09-126d-8292-3aee-1c2c54cdd44b2013-03-17T11:45:41-06:00<p>I was looking at the manual trying to figure out how you can do all those settings with just two buttons, but it pretty much says but the wire one in that front hole.<p>I'm also wondering why it has a password to protect the settings. If I ever get one, do undesirable people commonly break into people's homes and businesses and change someone's soldering temp settings. Whats this world coming to. :-)</p><p>But seriously this doesn't look like its meant to be a shared tool like in a production environment.</p></p>
jorisclaes on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationjorisclaesurn:uuid:a5c9cc99-aa0b-15ed-0c1f-4281a75edfbc2013-03-16T09:19:59-06:00<p>Do you also have a european/230V model?</p>
chartle on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationchartleurn:uuid:8aa31b3d-a239-7033-bcf6-222b56dba1ff2013-03-16T08:17:38-06:00<p>[pause] It goes to eleven.</p>
heyjoe on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationheyjoeurn:uuid:893887dd-dc19-7e46-2d02-7dca5313f7dd2013-03-15T22:32:10-06:00<p>Why not just make 10 hotter and make 10 be the top number and make that a little hotter?</p>
EEtwidget on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationEEtwidgeturn:uuid:5954fede-8e34-75cc-c409-e901659310482013-03-15T15:06:40-06:00<p>Wow, come on sparkfun. The Brass wire sponge does not go in the back! Fail, you even made the new product video with it in the back.<p>It's true that when your done soldering you should tin your tip, this ensures no oxidation is formed, however, you would never want to rest your tip in the sponge.</p><p>The sponge goes in the little opening below the iron, so put it there!</p></p>
chartle on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationchartleurn:uuid:4b33a294-466b-0df3-2f6a-f2b1102bddb12013-03-15T11:26:59-06:00<p>Thats where I'm messing up.<p>I need a tutorial on solder tip hygiene. :-)</p><p>Also I really need a temp controlled iron. I thought a 40w single temp iron would work but its too hot. So I hacked together a temp control using a lamp dimmer and its helping. I marked out some numbers around the dial and 7* seems to work best with the generic lead free solder I'm using. I just got the small roll of leaded solder from here and will see how that goes. I also have a thermocouple that plugs into my multimeter so I could sort of calibrate the iron.</p><ul>
<li>Oh and my scale goes to "11" you know when you need just a little bit more heat to get the job done.</li>
</ul></p>
Karl-Martin Skontorp on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationKarl-Martin Skontorpurn:uuid:e3153283-26ce-6b08-c82f-3368cd3d6a882013-03-15T10:52:12-06:00<p>I don't know if it is true, but I was taught to clean the tip just before use, and never after use, so that the tin would stay on the tip and prevent it from corroding.<p>Edit: Just need to add that after a session of soldering I clean and re-tin the tip, of course.</p></p>
chartle on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationchartleurn:uuid:2db76c2e-26fa-6e81-009c-8d7e46b3ebf82013-03-15T09:52:59-06:00<p>Thats kind of what I thought. Everytime you put it away in the stand it gets cleaned.<p>Something I'm terrible at doing. :-)</p></p>
RobertC. on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationRobertC.urn:uuid:14ff08ab-237c-566d-e491-a0f92e3a43cf2013-03-15T09:30:53-06:00<p>it comes packaged as pictured, so it got shot that way. it does actually work well in the back though. it sits far down enough that you can press your tip into the sponge right before you set it on the cradle. either way works.</p>
Kamiquasi on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering StationKamiquasiurn:uuid:38cbd810-e979-88eb-4229-c24907bd58a02013-03-14T17:33:01-06:00<p>The regular sponge (in the front) is a more gentle cleaning option compared to the wire one, and doesn't clog up with excess tin as much over time.<br>
I have no idea why the photographer decided to put the wire one in the back, though. It's <em>supposed</em> to go in the little curved slot at the front - yet it looks rather comfy where it is, too, so all that open space must be useful for something :)</p>
shardbearer on TOL-11704 - Hakko FX888D Soldering Stationshardbearerurn:uuid:90ee6f52-5f41-46a1-19c7-379d41799a5b2013-03-14T17:07:10-06:00<p>Why two different kinds of sponges? And doesn't having the brass sponge in the back make it difficult to clean the iron properly?</p>