[linuxworks]

good choice, komi. its what I use, too (lol).

non-burning rubber on the cord. check!

auto-turn-off timer on inactivity. check!

2 VERY nice safety features. could even be life saving (I have hit the cord with my iron more than once while not being watchful enough. I've also forgotton to turn off the iron at least once.) both features are USEFUL!

 

[DoYouRight]

Hakko all the way

 

[linuxworks]

hakko may have better build quality. weller is not the weller of 20+ yrs ago.

still, hakko could use some user-interface improvements like what weller has.

we need a DIY iron that does all of the above (lol).

in fact, its do-able. I think you could adapt the hardware of hakko and the safety features of the weller.

and digital display really is worth it. I change my setting all the time, depending on what I'm soldering. the readout is dual purpose: it shows the SET value and the CURRENT measured value. simple dials are one-way and don't show cur-value.

 

[Earwax]

Has anyone tried the $15 Stahl from parts express? Parts-Express.com:*Stahl Tools STSSVT Variable Temperature Soldering Station | soldering soldering tools soldering station solder station stahl tools stssvt variable temperature soldering station soldering iron solder pcb circuit board gift ideas Aar
The reviews there seem pretty enthusiastic, especially for the price.

I've not had any trouble using a couple of cheap pencil irons, just thinking I should finally "move up" to adjustable temperature control.

 

[nickosha]

I have that soldering station, Earwax, except mine is MPJA branded. It works decently, but I just started doing DIY so I really don't have anything to compare it to. The complaints I have with it are that it takes a few minutes to heat up, the cord is stiff enough that it still retains some of the shape that it came in, and that the iron pencil holder is annoying in that it is two parts and they aren't connected so the inside one can come out partway accidentally. The temperature is also color coded, but you get used to that and learn where it needs to be.