2-in-1 soldering station: iron and hot air on the same workbench

A retro mod rarely comes down to a single task. Fitting an IPS panel calls for a fine-tip iron; removing a ribbon connector, a shield or an SMD package without tearing off the trace calls for hot air. This 8898 station combines both tools in a single unit, with temperature setting and readout on a digital display. It comes as a kit, with nozzles, spare tips and tweezers, and is available with an EU / FR plug or a US plug.

What it does

• Two tools, one plug: soldering iron for joints and through-hole components, hot air blower for surface desoldering. No second device to get out mid-repair.
• Temperature read, not guessed: the digital display shows the set point and saves you from working "by feel", the leading cause of lifted pads on a console board.
• Fine work: designed for densely populated boards — SMD, integrated circuits, BGA connectors, controller and handheld PCBs.
• Ready-to-go kit: 3 nozzles to match the airflow to the size of the component, 5 tips to go from fine joints to large ground planes, tweezers and two small reels of solder for your first runs.

What it doesn't do

• It won't teach you the technique. Poorly controlled hot air lifts a neighbouring connector or warps a plastic shell: this is not a tool for a first attempt on the console you want to save.
• The kit does not cover every consumable: no flux, no desoldering braid, no anti-static wrist strap, and the solder supplied only covers your first jobs.
• It does not replace a professional rework station: reballing a BGA with bottom preheating is beyond its scope.
• Mains-powered unit: no battery operation, no portable use. The US-plug version is a 110 V unit and must not be plugged into 230 V European mains, even with an adapter.

Compatibility

Universal soldering tool: it works on any board, whatever the machine — handheld and home console motherboards, controllers, arcade PCBs, video adapters, audio modules, USB-C batteries to rewire. There is no "console compatibility" to check: the component to be soldered decides the tool, the iron for through-hole and point-to-point work, hot air for SMD and glued ribbon cables. Two mains versions: EU / FR plug for 230 V networks (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland with an adapter…) and US plug for 110-120 V networks (United States, Canada). Choose the one for your country and check the voltage shown on the unit before switching it on for the first time.

Skill level required

Intermediate. You should already know how to tin a tip, heat a pad from the side and recognise a cold joint. Hot air adds a difficulty: you need to protect the area around the component with polyimide tape and keep moving. Have a repair mat, helping hands, braid or a desoldering pump, and a ventilated work surface ready. Do your first runs on a scrap board, not on the console you are repairing.

In the box

• 1 2-in-1 soldering station with digital display (model 8898, black), EU / FR or US plug depending on the version chosen
• 1 soldering iron connected to the station, with its stand and sponge
• 1 hot air gun connected to the station
• 3 nozzles for the hot air gun
• 5 spare tips for the iron
• 1 pair of tweezers
• 2 small reels of solder wire
• 1 tip-cleaning sponge

Read before ordering: Console accessories

Delivery in 10 to 18 days · ships within 3 to 5 days · 2-year legal guarantee of conformity · 14-day returns.