In a previous post several recommended the Xytronic soldering station. I see that there is another company called X-Tronic that seems to have similar items.
Before I make a purchase, can someone clarify which company we are speaking of?
Thanks!
It's Xytronic, Mel...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Xytronic is the one we want. X-Tronic seems to be one of those Chinese companies created to cause confusion like this. Maybe they are OK for the casual hobbyist, but they also seem to like to make some odd combination units - which are generally to be avoided. One of them has a soldering station, desoldering pump, and a bench power supply all in one unit. Seems great - until one of those functions fails and now you have a large unit that is only partially usable because something has failed. Or you need a better version of something that was included in the multi-function device.
I and several others here have Xytronic stations. Mine, while an older, now discontinuted model, still has replacement tips and also repair parts available, should anything break. But I've had it over 12 years now and the original tip is even still usable, though I do have some others in varying sized depending on the job. Others have had theirs multiple years as well.
The availablity of repair parts is usually why higher end models are recommended - but Xytronic does that and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for the unit. The really cheap ones - those are the sort where they might use knockoff tips from one of the big brands like Hakko, so you can get tips, but if something like the heater in the handpiece goes out, it's a loss. Toss it and get a new station. Not so with Xytronic (or most any of the more expensive ones). I guess that puts Xytronic at the low end of the better systems, but it's well made, I've moved twice since I got mine and basically just shoved it back in the box and it's made it both times. I'm SURE I've touched the cord witht he hot tip, with no melting - it's a silicon insulated wire, not just cheap plastic insulation,
ANyway, enough soundlike like a commercial. I don;t work for or sell Xytronic equipment, nor do I work for any dealer of Xytronic equipment. I just find it an excellent tool for the price and a great value compared to some of the other options out there, especially some that aren't actually controlled stations that sell for an even higher price. Plus (though now more are doing this) they come with one of the best stands I've ever seen, heavy enough to not easily tip over, and come with the brass wool cleaner instead of the sponge that used to be the most common cleaner. I do with the newer models with the digital readout had the same small tray in front of the control panel like my older one does - it's a handy place to stick one of those little tip tinners. The stand has spots to store spare iron tips. I would most definitely buy another Xytronic.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you; thank you very much.
I honestly could not be any happier than I am with my Weller station.
Mine is a WESD-51, I understand there are some bad ones out there with the Weller name on them.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
maxmanIn a previous post several recommended the Xytronic soldering station. I see that there is another company called X-Tronic that seems to have similar items.
Xytronic!!! By far the best investment in tools that I have ever made! Far superior to my old Weller station. (In fairness to Weller and Kevin, he is using a much better quality Weller unit than I was).
I got sucked into buying an X-tronic soldering pencil a while ago. It literally fell apart in my hands after only a couple of attempts to use it. Piece of crap!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Xytronic, one of the first tools a model railroader should buy. I wish I had not waited so long to get mine. There it is at the ready.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I bought this one:
Between the recommendations here, Jerry Leone's video and other sources, I had the same problem as the OP - I couldn't remember which was which. The one thing all the reviews had in common is that they all claimed to be just as good as the Hakko. So I spent the extra $40 and just bought it.
It is curious though that so many folks that like the "just as good" models, when they post pictures there's often a yellow drill in the background.
I fully expect that a pro that uses the tools every day like our friend Sheldon gets their money's worth out of professional tools. But for the rest of us that use them 2-3 hours a week, the difference is that the pro model will still be working 25 years after we're dead and the cheap one will only work 2 or 3 years after we're dead.
OTOH, for me, working with good quality tools is a small pleasure that makes the more mundane aspects of layout building enjoyable.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
The difference is, X-Tronic is a cheap knockoff that may or may not keep working. Xytronic IS a top grade prosumer tool. Even that Hakko isn't a pro level tool - pro level soldering stations come from companies like Pace and cost $400 and up.
The thing about those yellow drills - they are no more expensvice than any other brand. The truly cheap ones, you can find on Amazon. Even the ones at Harbor Freight aren't that much cheaper than an equivalent DeWalt. Note they like to compare them with the highest of the high end, not more reasonably priced stuff.
I bought my first knockoff battery a few weeks ago. I don;t like to stop once I get going and wait for batteries to charge - I have 4 genuine ones, but they are all the smaller capacity, the two that came with my drill are really small, and the adapter I got so I could use the new 20V Li-ion batteries in my old otherwise working fine 18V drill (which I've had more than 20 years now - and it is a much better quality than the new yellow drill, just heavier) came with 2 more, but the small 2000mAH ones. Those drive a lot of screws in the new drill, and I have 2 chargers now because of all that, but I wanted to try something bigger and not spend more than the drill cost. So I got one of those knockoff 6000mAH batteries that cost about what DeWalt wants for the 2000mAH ones. So if it lasts just twice as long instead of 3x, I'm ahead. Will it survive falling off the roof like the DeWalt ones will? Nope. Is it really 6000mAH? I haven't taken it apart but I'm going to say based on weight alone, it can't be more than 5000mAH. Still a bargain, if it takes a reasonable number of charge cycles. I've only used it once, and didn't drain it.
Hakko seems to have recently cut prices, because not too long ago, that model was well over $100. I could have bought 2 of mine plus additional spare parts for what one Hakko cost. Seeing as how it is over 12 years old and shows no signs of imminent failure, I'd say the more than 50% savings were well worth it.
rrinkerThe thing about those yellow drills - they are no more expensvice than any other brand.
On Amazon right now:
Black & Decker 20V $44 (Amazon's choice - lol)
Dewalt Compact 20V $99
I've got the 12V Dewalt drill, screwdriver, impact driver and reciprocating saw. All of them have plenty of power for benchwork building. Except for the saw, all of them last longer than I do in a work session. The saw works much better than I expected it to, but it does run out of gas quickly. It doesn't matter since I got it for free in a bundle with the drill that was at the time the same price as the drill alone. I really like that they're much lighter than the 20V stuff. That's a big deal for me with this disease gradually taking my strength.
carl425 I bought this one: Between the recommendations here, Jerry Leone's video and other sources, I had the same problem as the OP - I couldn't remember which was which. The one thing all the reviews had in common is that they all claimed to be just as good as the Hakko. So I spent the extra $40 and just bought it. It is curious though that so many folks that like the "just as good" models, when they post pictures there's often a yellow drill in the background. I fully expect that a pro that uses the tools every day like our friend Sheldon gets their money's worth out of professional tools. But for the rest of us that use them 2-3 hours a week, the difference is that the pro model will still be working 25 years after we're dead and the cheap one will only work 2 or 3 years after we're dead. OTOH, for me, working with good quality tools is a small pleasure that makes the more mundane aspects of layout building enjoyable.
I second this one. Good variety of tips and does a good job big or small. one of the best purchases I have made!
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Nothing wrong with Hakko. Just at the time I bought my Xytronic, the equivalent Hakko was 3x the price for an equivalent quality tool. Wasn't worth 3x as much - and the Hakko at the time still came with the wet sponge holder, while the Xytronic came with the copper wool, which Hakko NOW supplies.