Which soldering iron/station to buy?

subman · #1 10-16-2012, 02:35 AM

I've used a hakko for years and it has always been very good.

sphelps · #2 10-16-2012, 02:50 AM

After using hakko I'll never go back to weller. Consider the FX-888, not digital but who cares, less than $100 local and a great iron.

mike31154 · #3 10-16-2012, 03:25 AM

Depends on how much you use an iron & what for, but I'd say that YIHUA unit you linked to is a pretty good looking set up for the price, compared to the Weller. Personally I have a simple non adjustable iron, must be 20 years old by now, still works fine & a Weller pistol type gun for the heavy duty stuff. Also had a small rechargeable unit but the battery finally gave up the ghost & it's trash now. I remember when I was a working stiff, Pace kits were all the rage with the pros, but I haven't even looked to see if they still exist.

..quick search...

http://na.suzohapp.com/tools/92144000.htm

...a bit pricey though... what's your beef with the Radio Shack tool? If it gets hot & melts the solder...

daplatapus · #4 10-16-2012, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

After using hakko I'll never go back to weller. Consider the FX-888, not digital but who cares, less than $100 local and a great iron.

+1
I have the same unit and it rocks.

Bryan · #5 10-16-2012, 10:27 AM

I have the WESDS51 Weller and it is a excellent iron, handle is great and your hand doesn't get sore from continuous soldering, the cord is also excellent and doesn't tangle or loop up like other irons I have used. Iron warms up is seconds and maintains temperature. A big advantage with the Weller,10 years from now parts will still be available. Tips are relatively cheap and can be found easily.

Bryan · #6 10-16-2012, 08:18 PM

Forgot to mention, but if you are going to go with the Weller, buy it from Digi-Key, roughly the same price as the Ebay seller with his shipping added. Digi ships via courier in 1-2 days with no brokerage fees. Shipping is $8.00.

http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail...SD51-ND/555479

Dez · #7 10-16-2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subman

I've used a hakko for years and it has always been very good.

Hakko for the win. I'll never use anything else. Just bought my Hakko a month ago for $88

Maverick00 · #8 10-17-2012, 03:17 AM

thanks everyone for the replies!, im leaning towards the hakko, seems comparable with the weller but around 50 bucks cheaper.

@mike31154
Theres nothing wrong with the RS iron to solder the odd wire or two but I have alittle more to do than that.

I was looking at..
- Temp control (leds or other sensitive components)
- Proper cleaning station with iron holder (not some plastic kick stand the radioshack one had, that constantly falls off and burns your table :P)
- More comfortable in hand (not heating up the handle) and no untangling the damn cord like bryan mentioned!