Good Entry-Level SMD Rework Station?

Hey guys, I'm asking this question here because my motivation for most of this aligns with the extra-terrestrial powers of the Super Nintendo...

I am planning on getting very serious with all electronics. Before, I had been frustrated trying to do SMD components with my cheap-o Radio Shack Iron. I look forward to gaining experience in all levels of electronics: PCB fabrication, Eagle CAD, component salvaging, modifications, etc.

The latest aspiration I have is to create an Eprom Emulator for SNES boards.. Anyway, I was wondering, I definitely want to make some serious upgrades Electronics wise.

And this is a list I have so far:

PanaVise 324 Electronic Work Center -

Akro-Mils 10144 44 D 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch Hardware and Craft Cabinet, Black

Aven 17542 Desoldering Wick, 2.5mm Width, 5' Length

4 IN 1 "X-TRONIC" MODEL #9020-XTS HOT AIR REWORK & SOLDERING IRON STATION, FUME EXTRACTOR & VACUUM PICKUP TOOL - 5 Hot Air Nozzles - 10 Asst. Solder Tips - 1 Extra Hot Air & Soldering Iron Heating Element - Pinpoint Tweezers - 1 5X MAGNIFYING LAMP!!!

Hakko Tip Cleaner, 599B-02, Non-Corrosive, No Water Needed

Anytime Tools 127 pc Heat Shrink Wire Wrap Cable Sleeve Tubing Sets Assorted Size e/Case

Bausch & Lomb Watchmaker Loupe, 10x

The most concern I have is over the Solder Rework Station. I'm definitely looking for a quality Soldering Iron and Hot Air, it appears it will solve any problems I can think of encountering in the line of duty.
What do you think?

Do you have any recommendations for soldering iron / Hot Air. And is Combo a good way to go?

Any other recommendations for me??

I hope/plan to put up a Kickstarter Project to help me get going.

Hakko 888D. Bought one a few months ago, awesome investment and not overly expensive. Quality product.

+1 for the Hakko 888. I have the non-digital one, and it's fantastic. I just set it to 650F and left it there. In addition to the tip that came with it, I also purchased the T18-I and the T18-C3 tips, and it's been great. Can't help you for a rework station, I use ChipQuik, and it's great. Only downside is it's consumable, like desoldering braid, so once I run out, I'll probably be looking at hot-air rework stations myself.

yeah, Hakko is the way to go. It's got great reviews all around, and not just from here.

However, I hear the digital controls on it are unintuitive, and that the analog is easier. If I gave up the ability to see the temperature display, I could save $20 and not worry about controlling its oddness.

What do you 2, who own the Hakko, think about it?

I also own a Hakko FX-888, and I think it's great. Not too expensive. Heats up fast and reliable. Good temperature control. Nice sturdy base. Tips are easy to change and clean, and they fit very solid.

I don't have a problem with the digital version at all. I set the temperature once and that was it.

Qwerty can I hear more about your use of the T18-I and T18-C3, why did you go for these tips, and what do you use them for? Anything even remotely obvious helps, since most of this is new to me (I have been working with 1 tip for several years)

The T18-I is a super-fine conical tip that I like to use for small SMD work (mostly discrete components like SMD resistors/capacitors/LEDs/etc), and also sometimes for through-hole parts when the parts are tightly packed. If you've been using the same tip for years, you'll probably really come to appreciate the fine tip when you need it. The T18-C3 is for drag soldering SMD ICs. The medium chisel tip that comes with the iron works great for general through-hole work, and honestly, between those 3 tips, I can solder basically anything short of QFN/BGA.

As for the discussion of the analog vs digital temperature controls, I'd say go for the analog, only for the reason that you can probably get it a bit cheaper, and as has been said, you'll probably just set the temp once and leave it, so the digital controls don't really give you anything special. The analog controls have a hex nut on them that you can tighten down and lock the temperature, which is nice.

I have nothing but good things to say about the 888, and I've only ever heard good things everywhere I looked when I was first shopping for it, so whether you go analog or digital on the temperature controls, it's a solid iron, and a reasonable price.

If you are just starting out and its a hobby the odd repo etc etc.

I would look into one of these
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2in1-SMD-Sol ... ffd&_uhb=1

I used one for along time, temp control was perfect iron worked perfectly.
the stock tips were okay but with good quality ones on there i struggle to tell the difference between my hako sometimes.

And at the price you can not go wrong.

I actually got one of these about 5 months ago to work with small SMD components on my PS3 and PS2.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FA ... UTF8&psc=1

Aoyue 968A+

It comes with just about everything you need, and the heatgun is VERY stable and accurate with the right tip.

The only complaint I have is that you can't remove fume sucker/vacuum attachment without some knife work, but you get used to it after a dozen or so sessions.

I was able to use it to great effect in re-downgrading my 60GB PS3 with those annoying TSOP flash chips so I could program them easily.
A little kapton tape to isolate the chips and you can slide the IC popper tool under the TSOP and just gently lift it with a little hot air.

A hoof tip for your iron and some liberal application of flux makes re-soldering them a a simple job of only a few seconds with a little practice.