- Does it include both a soldering iron and hot air?
- Yes. The SX-90 Platinum combines a temperature-controlled soldering iron with a hot-air handpiece in one station, so you can solder and reflow from the same unit.
- What can the hot air be used for?
- It is mainly for SMD rework: removing and reflowing surface-mount parts, shrinking heat-shrink, and warming boards. It is not a substitute for a reflow oven on large boards.
- Is 120W enough for larger joints?
- Yes for most electronics work. The higher output helps it recover quickly on through-hole joints and ground planes, though very heavy lugs may still need a bigger iron.
- What is the maximum temperature?
- The station tops out at 572°F (300°C) on the measured scale, which covers leaded and most lead-free soldering. Very high-melting alloys are outside its range.
- Does it need special tips or nozzles?
- It uses its own tips and hot-air nozzles. They are available, but the range is narrower than for Hakko or Weller stations, so buy spares when you find them.
- Is it a good first soldering station?
- It is a reasonable one-box start if you plan to do SMD work. If you only solder wires and through-hole parts, a simpler iron-only station is easier to learn on.
- Where is the X-Tronic SX-90 Platinum 85W Precision Micro Soldering cheapest?
- At Best Buy, for $289.80, as of our latest check.
- Where can I buy the X-Tronic SX-90 Platinum 85W Precision Micro Soldering?
- 2 stores we checked sell it, including Best Buy, Newegg.