[sdiy] Weller Soldering Stations?

[Julian]

Ive just looked up what i paid for my Hakko 700C, and it was under GBP 80 on ebay uk.

By the time it was delivered, and i had bought it up to a level which i was happy with (i had allready checked the parts 
availibility with the uk hakko distributor - who was most helpfull) it was probably not a lot more than GBP 100.  This is for a 
machine, not long out of production, with a last known list price of aboug GBP 500 + tax.

I am saying this to emphasise the next point -

You can get good tooling 2nd hand, esp at these times when there are a lot of buisinesses folding : /  If you have an adversion to 
risk, then speak with the distributors before you purchase anything 2nd hand to check the situation should the item need repair / 
parts. If youre really keen, you may even be able to arrange delivery direct to them for servicing, and still halve your 'new' 
price.

Julian

(who always expects poor condition items when buying off ebay - but is often pleasently surprised : )