Some comments, each station design has its strengths and weaknesses
The Haako 936 uses ceramic heaters - some users swear by them other swear at
them.
The true Haako replacement heaters are NOT cheap - and their are already
Chinese copies of poorer quality (users beware of future "cheap"
replacements. IF you drop the iron - the ceramic can (and does crack) -
causing failures.
The Weller "EC" series (EC1002, EC2002) was discontinued by Weller in 2002.
The Weller WES51 (WES50 earlier) was introduced around 1999 as a direct
competitor for the Haako 936. The Pace ST-25 is also of this same "class"
of station
The price points (~ $90 ) are virtually identical for the Haako 936 and
WES51 (Fry's Electronics still has cheapest price for a walk-in store
purchase in US) - both are temperature controlled (knob up front) - as well
as the Pace.
The WES51 offers a magnetic wand to "set" or "lock" the temperature. The
replacement iron for the WES51 is $30 .. significantly less than the Haako
or its heater.
The more expensive units (Hakko, OKI, Weller, Pace etc.) feature temperature
set-backs
The Weller "TCP" series is still a tremendous bargain (and still made after
40 years of production and 50 years after first patent filing. Either used
or new - any competent Elecraft builder can repair it !
The surface mounted control board (knob and all) stations -- require
expensive control boards, thermostats or heater assemblies - and MUST be
properly calibrated for temperature - or the knob has NO meaning !!
w9gb
Sometime simplicity
============================
Like you, I have a Hakko 936. The reason I like it over the Weller in a $100
soldering station is for the Hakko's front-panel temperature control instead
of changing tips to change temperatures. Of course Weller offers front-panel
temperature change too, but at substantially more money than the Hakko.
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