8 replies to this topic

[Stuart Crawshaw]

Hi All, Its me again OK, so i have finally given up on my very very cheap apparently "temperature controlled" soldering iron (its either too hot or too cold) So, as the title of this thread suggests, i am looking for a new one but on a budget. Im not looking to spend more than £100 (may be less) but want a decent solding iron with a digital display of some sort to show the current temperature... So for you standard hobbyist who will be soldering through-hole components on to vero-board such as transistors, resistors etc (none of the surface monut stuff) What would you guys suggest? What wattage is good? if 70W too low? Etc etc etc.... Thanks guys.

[Chris Walker]

I personally use Hakko soldering equipment, and have been very happy. They have a new entry-level soldering iron which is less than $100. I haven't used it, but if it's anything like their normal gear it's probably a solid buy. http://www.adafruit.com/products/303 There are a ton of options out there... What does everyone else recommend? Chris

[Stuart Crawshaw]

I personally use Hakko soldering equipment, and have been very happy.

They have a new entry-level soldering iron which is less than $100. I haven't used it, but if it's anything like their normal gear it's probably a solid buy.

http://www.adafruit.com/products/303

There are a ton of options out there... What does everyone else recommend?

Chris

Thanks for the suggestion Chris, not sure if these are available in the UK though, but its a good start (i could find another reputable manufacturer and look for similar if not better specs for the same price range).

[Nevyn]

Thanks for the suggestion Chris, not sure if these are available in the UK though, but its a good start (i could find another reputable manufacturer and look for similar if not better specs for the same price range).

I recently bought this one and a spare set of tips. Only had it for a few weeks but it's a lot better than my old one. Only fault I have found so far is that the stand is cheap plastic. In fact the metail coil inside the stand has broken away from the mount. The iron seems to work OK though. Let's see what I'm saying in 6 months time. One thing I can say now is that I'm working faster and to a better quality.

Regards,
Mark

[Dan Morphis]

Hi All,

Its me again OK, so i have finally given up on my very very cheap apparently "temperature controlled" soldering iron (its either too hot or too cold)

So, as the title of this thread suggests, i am looking for a new one but on a budget.

Im not looking to spend more than £100 (may be less) but want a decent solding iron with a digital display of some sort to show the current temperature...

So for you standard hobbyist who will be soldering through-hole components on to vero-board such as transistors, resistors etc (none of the surface monut stuff)

What would you guys suggest? What wattage is good? if 70W too low?

Etc etc etc....

Thanks guys.

The Hakko stuff that Chris uses is really good. So is the Weller stuff. I personally use a Weller WESD51. It ran me US $138, which works out to £85. I couldn't find a link on Amazon UK for the iron, but you should be able to find a British/Euro distributor.

-dan

[phantomtypist]

Weller makes some really good quality stuff. I've used them for years. The WES51 might be slightly cheaper than the WESD51, but is still really good.

[Caffeine]

I use a hakko 936, which has been discontinued, but the hakko stuff in general is very good.

[Glen]

I use a hakko 936, which has been discontinued, but the hakko stuff in general is very good.

I'm also using a 936 for soldering and so far I like it a lot.
What tips is everyone using? I only have a small pointed one so far and was thinking I should get a few more.

What has everyone else found most useful tip wise?

[Caffeine]

I'm also using a 936 for soldering and so far I like it a lot.
What tips is everyone using? I only have a small pointed one so far and was thinking I should get a few more.

What has everyone else found most useful tip wise?

I have a general broad tip that I use for most work (including most SMD stuff even the fine pitch ones, good liquid flux makes it very easy) and a fine (0.2mm) point that I use for touching up or very fine SMD stuff.

Get the hakko tip cleaning sponge (the gold looking steel wool style) and you'll be set.