Chinese Hakko 808 desoldering gun clone

[advans13]

Literally none of those stores sell a Hakko 808, which is what prompted me to make this entire thread about el cheapo Chinese model--otherwise I would have just bought the 808 and been on my way.

the Chinese one is a piece of shit.

 

[behrmr]

This is the first time I've seen this model in 110v. There are a
couple videos on Youtube but it doesn't look that great.

I'd be more inclined to spend the extra money on an Ayoue 8800,
they have pretty good reviews.

JD

I've been using an Ayoue 8800 since Father's day this year. It's worked great and have not had any clogging issues that weren't easily resolved simply by cleaning it. And nothing has made it past the first stage filter in the head of the gun, which is just a tiny little sponge.

 

[Smitty420]

Literally none of those stores sell a Hakko 808, which is what prompted me to make this entire thread about el cheapo Chinese model--otherwise I would have just bought the 808 and been on my way.

Non of the legit stores will probably have the 808 because it has been discontinued and replaced with the FR model so you most likely will only find them on eBay.

 

[TimothyC]

It's puzzling to me that someone would consider spending over $100 for a knock-off when the real version (or an updated model) is available for roughly twice the price. Surely if you can save up $130 for something then you can save a bit longer until you reach $260. If the knock-off were $40 that's one thing, but at almost half the price why bother ?

 

[pcjohn]

The reliability of the more expensive one is still in question. I will
personally not buy an FR-300 and still regret not having picked up
a spare 808 when they were selling for $169.

JD

It's puzzling to me that someone would consider spending over $100 for a knock-off when the 'real' version (or an updated model) is available for roughly twice the price. Surely if you can save up $130 for something then you can save a bit longer until you reach $260. If the knock-off were $40 that's one thing, but at almost half the price why bother ?

 

[jrok]

But if the temperature regulation circuit goes wonky (and they seem to be prone to that) it may not work at all. I think the last time I tried to use mine it wouldn't heat up. I threw it back in the box and haven't looked at it since (I have Pace station now). In fact, I was going to give it away to someone (I think they wanted it for parts?) but when I went to look for it I couldn't find it! No great loss....

I've seen the vacuum pump die on the Aoyue 474, I think it happened twice too. I've got a Hakko 472 that I picked up used 12 years ago, replaced the heater once. Still works like a champ and the vac pump is still solid ( and you can still get spares for it !)

- James

 

[jkoolpe]

I picked up a used 808 about 12 years ago now for $90 from a friend who had gotten it from an ex-operator at the time...at the time, I was a true beginner at soldering, but he said the unit was nearly indispensable for this type of work. And boy was he ever spot on!

Seriously, the unit functions nearly perfectly to this day and all I've had to do through the years is to clean out the vacuum pump unit a couple of times and replace the disc filter.

I hope the newer (and more expensive) version is as good...but I hear it may or may not be...

Jon

 

[pcjohn]

How often do you use it ? One of our techs has one and uses
it every day. Seems to last a couple of years but the body eventually
cracks and breaks. He had one heating element burn out as well (we
have a spare in stock).

I've had mine about 5 years now with no problems.

JD

I picked up a used 808 about 12 years ago now for $90 from a friend who had gotten it from an ex-operator at the time...at the time, I was a true beginner at soldering, but he said the unit was nearly indispensable for this type of work. And boy was he ever spot on!

Seriously, the unit functions nearly perfectly to this day and all I've had to do through the years is to clean out the vacuum pump unit a couple of times and replace the disc filter.

I hope the newer (and more expensive) version is as good...but I hear it may or may not be...

Jon

 

[jkoolpe]

It's true I don't use it ALL of the time (as I'm just a humble collector), but I have used it quite a bit through the years, not just for myself, but also when I help other folks fix their games up.

I did leave it on all night once by accident (yikes!), but thankfully it was OK (and I didn't burn the house down!).

I do not know how much it was used before I purchased it...

Jon