Hakko FX601-02 Adjustable Temperature Controlled Soldering Iron, 67 Watts

I bought this elsewhere, as I needed a replacement iron quickly and mine had burnt out. Quick background - I have made a few hundred large stained glass windows in lead came, and now make products using copper came and sheet. I have used Leponitt, Hexacon and Weller irons around the 100W range and needed something similar, but with better temperature control for stop start work. First the good - this is a great little iron for small work. The temperature control works brilliantly and the iron does indeed heat up really quickly. The bad - it is not the equivalent of a 100w iron with a heavier tip and is really no good for working quickly on larger projects. This would be fine if they didnt claim it was great for large windows and compare it to a 100w iron. The reasons this iron heats up quickly are twofold 1) The ceramic element is probably marginally more efficient than a nichrome wire wound one 2) The heating element is heating a much smaller thermal mass. This is great for heating up, but also means there isnt much energy stored in the tip, so if you work with copper came, or solder a long joint it will run out of steam and the joint will go cold. It does heat up again, in 20 seconds or so. I love the idea of not heating a big mass of tip, but I think you would need a 200 watt ceramic element to push enough energy into the joints to keep up.

great soldering iron. I own a Weller also but prefer this one as its more comfortable to hold.

Very good solder with temp. control. Good quality and fast heating startup. Excellent.

Love this

This has totally changed may soldering! Love it! I can solder professionally now. I was really struggling with the soldering tool I had previously.

This soldering iron works great. Only complaint is a tool was sent with it to do adjustment but instructions were not in English

I just got mine, it came in a box that is Japanese and it has the wrong tip. It is only angled on one side.

I got this to replace my old Hakko 455 which wasnt doing well for really big jobs. The Hakko FX601-02 is wonderful. Just like my old 455 but much more powerful, and built-in temperature control.

The Hakko soldering iron heats rapidly, is controllable and Im happy! The cord does not bother me and the iron does just what I need..

Husband loves it.