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Three years ago I swore by hot air rework stations. Now I barely touch mine.
I picked up a Hakko 888 for around $90 back in 2021 and used it nearly every week on old console repairs. Last month I pulled it out for a stubborn capacitor on a stereo amp, but ended up just using a soldering iron and flux instead. The hot air felt like overkill for something a decent wick and steady hand could handle. Three years ago I would have reached for the big gun first. Now I only grab it for BGA chips or heavy ground planes. Anyone else find their tool habits shifting over time like that?
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holly_gonzalez613mo ago
You ever have one of those tools you barely touch but can't bring yourself to sell? I was the same way with my hot air station until I had to fix a laptop motherboard.
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