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Hakko 557 200W Soldering Irons
5.0
We like using the Hakko soldering.Low maintenance and quite reliable. Shipment receiver in good conditing with no issues clearing custom.
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Sheryl Turner on
Sep 11, 2023
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Hakko 557v12 200w solder iron
5.0
perfect for all the big jobs
on
Aug 27, 2020
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Hakko quality as usual
5.0
This was my first purchase from TEquipment, and it was a textbook-perfect order experience. The item was shipped very quickly and was securely packed.
Having used Hakko soldering equipment in my electronics hobby/addiction for many years, I expected a fine product and was not disappointed. The Hakko Matchless 557V-V12 200W iron is the first large, heavy-duty iron I've owned or even used, so I really don't have a reference to compare it to. But, I've used a LOT of different brands of 25-50 watt range soldering irons and 100 watt guns over the past 40 or so years, so I do have extensive experience with soldering equipment.
First of all, this beast has a nichrome heating element instead of the ceramic element typical of most <50 watt irons. That fact, along with the sheer mass of its tip, means it heats up comparatively slow. It does take several minutes, but when it gets hot, it's HOT and stays that way. The huge thermal mass means it can do a lot of heavy work with zero or near zero recovery time. The tip readily accepted solder the first time I heated the iron up, and cleans and re-tins easily.
Feel and balance in the hand are amazingly good considering how heavy the element and tip are. The handle stays completely cool, and the recessed on/off switch is a very nice feature. The cord is nicely flexible and adequately long. All in all, the build quality looks quite good; everything is clean and well-finished looking, and one gets the impression that with a little care it'll last a long, long time.
My only complaints are: (1) the iron didn't come with any kind of stand, so I made one by bending a section of wire coat hanger appropriately, and inserting the ends into holds drilled into a steel block. (2), AFAIK the pyramid tip is the only style available to fit this iron. A chisel tip would be nice. But, when judging the iron itself on its own merits, solely from the standpoints of quality and performance, I have to give it five stars.
When one considers that there are irons in this wattage range costing around $200, I feel this iron represents a truly excellent value for the money, provided the pyramid tip will meet your needs.
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John on
Apr 14, 2016
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Iron
4.0
The iron worked fine. The vendor sent it as promised and was well packaged.
Anthony on
Apr 17, 2015
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