radam84
Member
yea thats how I feel about my current iron, takes forever to heat up and when I use a damp sponge sponge for cleaning, it seems to take forever to heat up again after the fact.
Which soldering iron do you like?
- Thread starter Locrian99
- Start date
If you want a GOOD iron, but not spring for a full on station- check out the Weller W60P temperature controlled iron. High enough power that it has FAST heat up and recovery time, but the temperature control ensures it won’t get too hot and fry heat sensitive components (the same reason why lower watt irons are often recommended as they won’t get too hot)
Only caveat is that you MUST use the stand recommended for it, as other stands may be magnetic and mess up the temp control and allow it to burn out. End of the day this iron is about half what a typical Hakko station is. I know I had mine for nearly 2 decades now, and used it on everything from big bus wires in tube amps to delicate, tiny SMT components- never an issue.
I did recently pick up a Hakko station, which I love, but the old Weller still gets love from time to time if I need to do a quick repair etc and I don’t want to deal with setting up the station etc.
Only caveat is that you MUST use the stand recommended for it, as other stands may be magnetic and mess up the temp control and allow it to burn out. End of the day this iron is about half what a typical Hakko station is. I know I had mine for nearly 2 decades now, and used it on everything from big bus wires in tube amps to delicate, tiny SMT components- never an issue.
I did recently pick up a Hakko station, which I love, but the old Weller still gets love from time to time if I need to do a quick repair etc and I don’t want to deal with setting up the station etc.
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I started out late last year, and this is one of the best decisions I made when initially buying tools:
Really, really glad I didn't start out with a crappy iron. The FX-888D is a pleasure to use, well worth it. I'm sure there are some great cheapo ones out there, but I didn't want to (literally) burn through a bunch just to eventually get the Hakko.
Really, really glad I didn't start out with a crappy iron. The FX-888D is a pleasure to use, well worth it. I'm sure there are some great cheapo ones out there, but I didn't want to (literally) burn through a bunch just to eventually get the Hakko.
I upgraded to one this year as well. Very nice setup! Prior to getting this (and my Weller W60p 20 years ago), I would burn through 2-3 cheap irons yearly doing my amp work.
KR Sound
Well-known member
@Robert Is it possible to merge this with
forum.pedalpcb.com
So that all the good reviews and recommendations are in one place?
Which soldering iron do you like?
Well I’ve been building for just shy of a year now. And when I first started I bought an op amp but muff landtone kit from Amazon and a cheap little soldering iron kit for like 15$ that came with a pump, cutters etc. I’ve been using that same soldering iron since and I think I’m at...
forum.pedalpcb.com
So that all the good reviews and recommendations are in one place?
Robert
Reverse Engineer
@Robert Is it possible to merge this with
Which soldering iron do you like?
Well I’ve been building for just shy of a year now. And when I first started I bought an op amp but muff landtone kit from Amazon and a cheap little soldering iron kit for like 15$ that came with a pump, cutters etc. I’ve been using that same soldering iron since and I think I’m at...
So that all the good reviews and recommendations are in one place?
Done.
Erik S
Well-known member
For a little over a hundred bucks, I think it's silly to not get one of these or something equivalent from Weller or whoever.
Fast heat up time means you can shut the iron off whenever you're not actively soldering something, and not letting it sit in the stand at full temp means the tip isn't oxidizing, and going to cause you trouble.
Getting one of those and learning some discipline about keeping the tip nice really changed how much I enjoy soldering.
radam84
Member
okthat sounds good, however after you mentioned lower wattage irons being weak enough to not damage sensitive things what are your thoughts on a 15watt, I mean I have used mine for years now and it does work, its just frustrating at times (especially when trying to use non-leaded solder). I have a feeling Im doing what I normally do when starting a new hobby, which is upgrade what I need and stock up on things needed as well, before actaul doing any of the actual hobby lol.
radam84
Member
Thanks eh
Erik S
Well-known member
Heat is your friend. I think higher heat and getting in and out quickly is going to cause less damage than low heat and long contact times. Even more so if you’re going to be using lead free.
I don’t use unleaded solder, so I can’t speak to what will work or not
radam84
Member
Ok thats what seemed logical to me as well, thabks for clarifying.
radam84
Member
yea I have a bunch of it, bought it when I bought the iron from the source (canadian radioshack). Back then I just assumed solder solder is solder and lead free sounded like a good thing, Ive used it a few times when I had nothing else but I hate it with a passion. Though, if my iron got hot enough Im sure Id hate it less.
Barry
Well-known member
I have Hakko version.
andare
Well-known member
Joe from Grey bench Electronics uses and recommends this. Intriguing that it automatically sets the temp
Harry Klippton
Well-known member
Induction? You have my attention
