A Good Soldering Iron?

[rmccam]

I just wanted to hear some recommendations for brands and models of good soldering irons.

Any suggestions? What should I be looking for?

Thanks!

 

[Ptownkid]

weller, hands down, i just got a great one from active electronics the other day

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=6311

 

[alk509]

Has anyone tried one of these? I haven't, but at that price they look pretty good...

Peace,
Al.

 

[rmccam]

Thanks Ptownkid! I live right around Active Electronics so I went and grabbed one today (which was the last day of the special).

Sweet!

Thanks again!

 

[Ptownkid]

Hey no worries man, that's why I posted right away when I got it. 33% off on an iron i've been looking at buying for a while sounded like a great deal to me.

I don't know if they told you, but it's no tax on the extra tips when you buy that model, so if you didn't get a nice pointy conical extra tip, i'd head back over before they close.

Cheers

 

[Svart]

oh well, guess it's too late to mention Metcal. i bought a used one on ebay a year or so ago for 50$ it's been the best soldering iron i've ever owned hands down. I had a weller wes50 and the metcal kills it. I've been buying all the different tips for it on ebay for a few $ a peice and really LOVE the smd and ic tools that allow me to take SMD ICs off in a few seconds.. try that with a weller!

 

[kato]

[quote author="alk509"]Has anyone tried one of these? I haven't, but at that price they look pretty good...
[/quote]

Hey Al, I have this model and like it quite a bit.
I'm not an expert so I don't know what to tell you.
Except that for me, it's a big step up from the radio shack, plug-it-directly-into-the-wall model with the huge awkward tip.

The tip that ships with this one is nice and small. I can do more precision soldering on tiny traces than I could before.

It's cheap and plastic and made in china. But it seems excellent for the price. It survived a fall straight onto the floor the other night and still works great.

I still don't know what's the best temperature to use.
I set it somewhere in the middle and it works well.
It gets up to heat pretty quickly.

Let me know if you have any specific questions I can answer.

Kato

 

[fallout]

Svart, what Metcal model are you using?

-Jay

 

[kevinc]

Or get a used Hakko 926ESD or the newer model 936. They are both excellent and usually can be had for $40-$50 on eBay. I use them every day and have been pleased.

 

[dustartist]

my Hakko 936 ESD is a more than adequate tool. reasonably priced.

 

[BradAvenson]

[quote author="Svart"]oh well, guess it's too late to mention Metcal. i bought a used one on ebay a year or so ago for 50$ it's been the best soldering iron i've ever owned hands down. I had a weller wes50 and the metcal kills it. I've been buying all the different tips for it on ebay for a few $ a peice and really LOVE the smd and ic tools that allow me to take SMD ICs off in a few seconds.. try that with a weller![/quote]

I have about 4 of these at the shop including the desoldering station and they are the best irons I have ever used. I am using the PS2e bases. They are compatible with the newest stuff, mx-500 I think it is. It heats up within 10 seconds and you can solder right to thick copper buss bar without even slowing it down much.

 

[petshoes]

Has anyone tried one of these? I haven't, but at that price they look pretty good...

Peace,
Al.

I've been using been using that soldering iron for 10 months. No complaints at all. If this one lasts 10 years :shock: ill be satisfied.

-Jeff

 

[Svart]

hey fallout, I'm also using one of the older ps2e/stss models like BradAvenson.

the newer sp-200 take different cartridges that seem to have fewer options.


I almost bought one of the desoldering stations too.