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I was advised to buy the hakko fm-202 as I would like to learn micro soldering. However, it seems quite difficult to get this, as I’m in the UK. And it seems as if these are discontinued, and don’t really fancy getting a second hand one (the ones I’ve seen look very tatty) Is there another good alternative that I can use in the UK (240v) And suitable attachments. I will want to be doing micro usb charge ports, and anything else realistically possible to repair from accidental damaged when repairing phones. (Dreading the day this will happen) Also, to top things off……I’ve NEVER soldered!!! I have kept a dead pc, 2 cheap android tablets, and a dead iphone 4 board. Any suggestions people. Thanks.
You can buy an FM-203. I have one of those and I am in love! Get a set of 3 tips: 2 conical (finest possible, and less fine), and one bent at +/- 30 degrees. This will get you started. You’ll need a hot air stair station. Buy a good quality one, with as minimum a sleep function when you hang the handle in place . Hakko make great ones but they’re pretty expensive. You’ll need a good microscope 90x at least. A good multimeter. And helping tools such as fine/quality tweezers and/or pointy picks; a PCB holder; a soft toothbrush… Finally, consumables such as extra fine solder, desoldering braid, flux paste, flux liquid, captain tape, 90%+ IPA, distilled water… and 20 gallons of concentrated patience. Then you can get a DCP. A pre-heating plate. May be a small toasting oven :) There’s more you can get. But the above are IMHO the absolute essentials to get you started in a manner that will allow you to produce results. You can also upgrade with hot tweezers and a desoldering station/gun. Good luck.
I microsolder every day. The tool I use 90% of the time are my Hakko FM 2023 hot tweezers, but many people don’t like them. Only the FM-203 is rated to run the hot tweezers, so I’d get that or the 206. And honestly, I think you’re on the right track. It is far easier to learn on quality equipment. Once you’re experienced THEN you can get by with the cheap stations :) FM 203 will have good resell, there are a lot of newcomers to this field. best of luck! jessa
