Looking to buy one of these:

Hakko 936-12 ESD

or

Weller WES51

Any comments on pros/cons for each model?

Has anyone got experience with both?

Thanks

Pete

I've only used the Hakko but it is a very nice piece. It heats up in about 10 seconds and seems to have very good recovery even during heavy use. I don't think you can go wrong with either and the price difference is only about $10 from what I found during quick searches.

My 2

I highly recommend a Pace PRC2000 soldering & rework station. It's only $4500 or so these days, back when I was in the electronics assembly industry they cost something like $10,000. You can solder and rework anything except BGA's with one of those babies.

On a more serious note, I find both the Hakko & Weller work about the same in actual use, but the Hakko fits my hand a lot better. The Weller feels kinda awkward and I never felt comfortable with it. I'd be fine with it for most soldering, but not for surface mount parts or other small things.

Ahhh... if only money were no object

Another vote for the Hakko. I love that iron, so easy to use and I also think it feels better in my hand than the Weller.

OK the Hakko 936 has been ordered

Now what shall I build next...

Beta 22?

Beta 22?

Hmmm... thought about it.

I might build a 2-ch and compare it to my Dynamite (2-ch) using the Dynamite power supply;

to decide if I want to build 2 more channels and the sigma 22 PSU.

OK the Hakko 936 has been ordered

Now what shall I build next...

Espressivo Headphone Amplifier, because someone has to build one...

Apparently it sounds pretty good too, it was featured at a Seattle (I think) meet about 5 or 6 years ago and the impressions were quite favourable. I think Eric343 heard it but I'm not too sure.