In the soldering process, there are often only a few simple steps, but it is not a simple thing to operate, so it is also very important for us to know which tools are helpful for our soldering work and how to use them. Indeed, the rework station and the soldering station are one of our soldering tools, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Rework station is a perfect tool for handling delicate components of electronic products. It can easily desoldering and adjust the position of the soldered parts. Of course, it will not cause the risk of damage to the soldered parts, but it is different from the soldering station. In comparison, rework stations are relatively expensive, bulky and lack precision.
Literally, rework station is used for for rework and desoldering products, while soldering station is used for soldering components of products, but in fact they are the same tool, and their scope of application is very different. Now let's explore these two different soldering tools and take a look at their pros and cons to help you choose which one is best for you.
Size
The design of the rework station and the soldering station are very decent, the main thing is their size and the ability to move. It is worth noting that the rework station is usually heavy than the soldering station, so it is difficult to maneuver because of the weight, which brings inconvenience to operator. In contrast, the soldering station is lighter, smaller in size and easier to maneuver. It is also more easy to use.
Therefore, you need to bring items to be soldered to the rework station when using it, but the soldering station is easy to move and carry due to its small size, and can be easily controlled. This may not be very important to you, but if you can't move your device very well, your soldering job can become a bit of a hassle.
Not only that, but the rework station also comes with a hot air gun, which tends to be a bit larger than the size of the soldering tip, which can make it unwieldy in tight places or when doing precision work.
Applicable Scope
The biggest difference between a rework station and a soldering station probably is the type of work they do, so let's compare the main differences between their scope of work:
Soldering Station: powerful tools for precision work.
Rework Station: useful tools that excel at speed and reduce manual work.
In fact, soldering station is a versatile soldering tool that can do most of the things that a rework station can do, but the difference is mainly in how well it can do, as a rework station can easily do most of the work which is a bit difficult for a soldering station, so it might be what you need.
For work that requires precision, such as soldering circuit boards of electronic product, the soldering station is more suitable for you, because this kind of work requires precise control of soldering. It is most suitable for soldering very small products.
Rework station is better for less complex jobs, such as melting solder in larger areas. With the ability to safely heat large areas, the rework station is suitable for surface mount and other jobs where the components involved are fragile and can be damaged by the soldering tip.
Accuracy
The main advantage of a soldering station is the precision, what does this mean? Think about the various places in our lives that need soldering.
For example:
1. The maintenance of mobile phones should be the most commonly used. In this era, mobile phone is the tool that we do not leave for a second. Each of us may have at least 1-2 mobile phones, so soldering station is very important for mobile repair.
2. It is also very important to make minor repairs to jewelry, pipes and other metal parts. All kinds of metal objects that need to be soldered around us require a soldering station.
Basically, when you need to connect two smaller connection points, soldering stations can help you with the soldering job, after all it only need to heat a specific point, the size of which is determined by various models of soldering tips and operators.
However, the rework station cannot achieve such precision. It is very difficult or even impossible to use the rework station to solder or desolder a small part or a narrow area. After all, the rework station works base on hot air rather than precision.
Although the rework station has deficiency in accuracy, it makes up for it in speed. Another point is that by not concentrating all the heat in one spot, it can avoid some defects related with soldering stations. This makes it ideal for jobs that require solder removal from precision parts or large areas.
1）Soldering Stations:
1. Single point accuracy: The soldering station can only heat the point without affecting the surrounding environment. This is perfect for precision soldering.
2. Potential damage: You may seriously damage what you're using if you're not careful, and some components are more likely to be damaged by intense direct heat.
3. No heating in large area: Compared with the rework station, it cannot be heated in large area. It can only work point-to-point during soldering, with high accuracy but low efficiency.
2）Rework station:
1. Heating larger area: When dealing with larger and easily damaged components, a hot air gun is far superior to a soldering iron for easier removal of solder and components.
2. Fast: When removing a lot of solder, it is the best solution.
3. Lack of precision: While there may be great benefits to heating large areas, it can not heat very specific areas, potentially damaging substances.
Through the above discussion we found that soldering stations and rework stations have their own advantages and disadvantages. In many cases, they are complete opposites, performing well in areas where the other is not good at. Although soldering station might be better suited to your needs, it is more versatile. Both of them are very useful and complement each other well. If you have other questions about the soldering station, you can contact us and we will help you solve it.
WhatsApp