Get a 1.0mm tip (it probably comes with this size) and a 1.6mm tip. Consider 0.8mm and 1.3mm tips as well. Get the cleaning poker for the appropriate sizes too.

Consider getting the cleaning drill bits for sizes you use as well. I don't have the drill bits, and can still clean out the tips effectively. Drill would make it a lot easier.

Get a pack of extra ceramic filters. These go pretty fast and is most used consumable item for this gun. Make sure to get the big ones. There is two sizes of filters, you want the larger (thicker) ones.

The metal filters you can clean. I use these for a long time with out replacing. Maybe skip those.

Rubber seals around the solder waste tube need replaced after a good bit of use. The fill tube itself needs replaced after a bit of use as well, you can clean it out pretty well though.

It comes with a small tip. Get a big one.

It comes with a wire poker to clean the small tip and a screwdriver-looking reamer that handles the large tip. I've never needed a drill.

Get a couple packs of ceramic paper filters.

Get plenty of extra filters, as suggest the thicker ones. That is what goes first. I haven't gotten any additional tips for mine yet, the stock one has done a very good job at just about everything I've come across. What I can say about it is be good to it, and it will be good to you. I use mine just about nightly and have since I bought it a few months ago. Clean it out every time you use it, use the included 1.0 mm cleaning rod. The only place it may get tricky is on very small sized pads with traces running between stuff (anything past SYS 11 trace size). If you're doing mostly older boards, you may be okay with just the stock tip. I haven't damage a trace yet with this gun. I use it at 800 deg. F.

It says it takes a few minutes to reach the right temperature, but it is more like 30 seconds.

Get one of those little gold thingys that has the copper-colored mesh in it (Hakko 599B). Use it to clean your tip during while you're working. I also first go over pins to be desoldered with the wire brush on my Dremel tool in order to remove dirt and corrosion. Seems to make desoldering quicker and keeps your tip cleaner. And don't forget to put a blob of solder on the tip before you shut it off to prevent rust.

You'll kick yourself for not doing it earlier. It is a huge board trace & time saver. You can kinda get away with a crappy soldering iron. You can't with desoldering.

Added to my Christmas list^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

They kick ass. Major time saver. And more importantly, cleaner board work.

Any thoughts on the 300 vs. the 204 workstation version as to which one is better? any benefits to the workstation version?

I have .8mm, 1.0m, and 1.3 mm tips for this gun. Any real reason to get a 1.6 mm tip?

I am considering purchasing the Hakko FR300. But I have a few questions before I make a final decision. I am employed as an electronics tech. I desolder/solder using a Hakko iron & wick (hate it). Unfortunately, company will not invest in desoldering station. I do alot of thru-hole soldering of caps. I desolder & solder about 50 to 75 electrolytic caps daily on multi-layer boards (4-5). The ground planes are esp. a pain. My concern is can the FR300 handle that of kind of a daily workload (w/proper maintenance)? I tried an Aoyue 8800 once but had problems with the heating element and the tips would frequently scratch the traces in proximity to the caps. I prefer to survey the opinion of actual users than a seller before I make a decision. Anyway what do you think based on your experience with the FR300?

I do PCB rework about every single day using my FR300. Usually do rework about 3-4 hours a day, sometimes 12 hour marathon sessions on the weekends. A Bally MPU has 275+ through holes at least to be desoldered when rebuilding and I sometimes get more than one done in a day. I say it holds up really well. With daily use, be prepared to rebuild the pump about once a year, maybe more (tubes, gaskets, suction cup, etc). The tips last 6 months or so with daily use. Maybe more. I sometimes drill out the smaller ones into bigger ones for some extra light use.

Get lots of paper filters, those go fast. Get extra solder catch tubes and the prefilter (i replace the prefilter with the tube). Cleaning drill is mandatory for 1.0mm tips. You can poke clean the 1.3mm and 1.6mm tip OK without a drill.

Thanks for all of the info. it seems like you use your FR300 more than I will be using it. It is good to know what I am getting into. I guess I will have to order the maintenance supplies from Hakko...esp. catch tubes, prefilter, gaskets, suction cup etc... But my employer will probably purchase them for me, depending on improved efficiency and production. Once again thanks for the info and speedy reply.

When you buy the Gun, get a 1.6mm tip (comes with 1.0m), extra paper filters, and the 1.0mm drill +holder. Then by the maintenance items as you think you need it. That is my recommendation.

HAKKKO USA ships supplies for free.