I have the Hakko 888D and I've owned it since Aug 16, 2017. I'm still using the factory tip that came with it although I ordered extras of different types for different situations.
I don't leave it on all day and all night, I turn it off when I'm not going to be using it for awhile. It heats up to the 570 setting within seconds, never fails. Keep the tip clean, re-tin it when you see it needs attention. Within a few months of owning it, I ordered another to keep as a backup, that's how much I like it. I've got a few crappy Radio Shack soldering iron stations, a pair of Tenma's, knock-off Tenma and a Weller. None can hold a candle to my Hakko... Just my opinion, I won't ever use anything else.
Far as the gun goes, I'll have to agree with Sunbulls but unless you need that much power, the Hakko is the way to go. I also bought the hot air station too because I was so pleased with the 888. I was gonna buy the desoldering station too but it's a good bit more expensive than the other stuff I've bought by them, so I cheaped out..
I bought an Aoyue off Amazon... no regrets. For the money, it's been awesome and like every other desoldering gun, it requires cleaning and often if you use it a lot. I got the 474A++, pretty good unit and had no issues with it except it doesn't heat up as fast as a Hakko unit would.
radiator repair
