[sdiy] Soldering and rework station recommendations?

[cheater00 .]

Hi guys,
I'm looking for a "real" soldering station that'll be good for at
least the next 5 years or so of part-time use. The usage is - you
guessed it - synth and audio circuits :) You can't escape SMD
nowadays, either, and hot air is nice if it doesn't cost a lot extra.
I looked around and found the Aoyue 2703a+ to be a good choice based
on reviews and paper specs. Buuut... all that can't replace the
experience which you guys have.

For one thing, a longer time ago I heard there's some specific stuff
to watch out for with desoldering pistols (sponge filters vs something
else used to filter out the solder? don't remember exactly). What
about the pump? I also heard every now and then you have to take the
torch to the suction cord, because the solder sticks and clogs it.
Does it end up breaking the cord? Do I need to buy spares? Are some
cords better with that or do all of them clog up at about the same
rate? Does the quality of the pump have anything to do with this?

Here's a link to a site detailing what one gets:
http://www.aoyue.de/product_info.php/language/EN/info/p6319_AOYUE-2703A--RepairingStation-bleifreie-Hei-luftloetstation-Entloeten.html

I'm looking to spend up to around 300 euro, plus maybe additional bits
and pieces. Maybe an SMD tweezer iron once I need to rework some SMD.

One nice review compares the Aoyue to X-Tronic. Apparently the latter
is the same price range but uses sub-standard materials that easily
catch on fire..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz-DGvJ2y6E
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9CDDTsjyuU

Note what he's doing with the Aoyue and it still doesn't catch fire,
it puts a lot of faith in the product.

I heard Aoyue started out by ripping off Hakko. Supposedly the copies
were pretty good quality and they made a business out of the fact
Hakko was just overpriced (and still is). The 2703a+ seems to be a
completely new design; I think it looks pretty good, but again, a call
out to you guys.

What are the downsides of this soldering iron? What do you guys think
could be alternatives in this price range (maybe a bit more?)

Note I'm not looking for a heavy-duty station where I'll be soldering
16 hours a day. I know there are Weller's, Hakkos and Pace's for that,
but those are very much out of my price range!


What tips do you guys usually get and how many? Do you use separate
tips for leaded and unleaded solder? Do you buy any other accessories?

Cheers,
D.