[steaxauce]

I had a soldering iron that I paid $11 for at Radioshack. It was AC powered and its output could be set to either 15W or 30W, but my mom said she wanted it (and yes, apparently my mother knows how to solder). Now I'm looking to buy my first high-quality soldering iron. I forsee using it for a lot of projects in the future, the most eminent being a balanced B22. I'd appreciate some suggestions about which soldering iron to buy, and also where to buy it. Thanks guys.

 

[eddiewalker]

Since buying my Hakko 936, I've never looked back.

 

[steaxauce]

That's what it looks like people are saying. I wish I'd thought to use the search function before posting this thread. Sorry, guys.

 

[UglyJoe]

Agree. Like I said in the other thread, Hakko 936-12. www.hmcelectronics.com usually has it for $80... throw in enough other stuff (tips, solder, desoldering braid/pump, etc.) to get it over $100 and you get free shipping.... Very nice!

 

[steaxauce]

Thanks Joe, that looks good. I'm also considering spending more and getting the FP-102.

 

[cyrian]

i use like a 25 yeard old weller, and i'm perfectly happy with that

 

[wafflesomd]

I use a $5 soldering iron, works fine.

 

[UglyJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Joe, that looks good. I'm also considering spending more and getting the FP-102.

If your going to spend that much get a Metcal SP200. Pretty much everything I've heard around here is that the Metcal is the end-all of soldering stations. For those people who do always upgrade, I think the SP200 is really about as far as people go. TBH though, just get the 936-12 and spend the other $140 on other supplies. The 936 is pretty much the perfect iron for DIY imho; I love mine to death, it feels better in the hand then any of the Wellers that I have used (never used a Metcal).

 

[threepointone]

here's a quick summary of what I usually hear when these threads pop up (sorry if I left something out and sorry I don't have all the exact details):

>$100: Metcal, some higher end weller irons, some higher end Hakkos, pace, xytronic, pretty much everything else on the market
~$100: Weller WTCPT / weller tip-regulated irons
<$100: Hakko 936
<$50: Hakko copycats ("aoyue", "circuitspecialists" "mpja"), generic irons with sorta-temp-regulated dial, basic weller irons w/o base, hakko dash
<$10: standard soldering irons that come from anywhere but radioshack. Just make sure it has a fine tip (not the nasty screw-lock nail-tips that the radioshack irons use). Tangent shows one in his soldering tutorial videos.

Another soldering iron to stay away from: coldheat. do a search / google it and it should be pretty apparent why you shouldn't use them at all.

 

[cyrian]

okay, i learned that my soldering iron is like an actual work station soldering iron by welller, 30 watt, like $150 when it was bought.

also a cheap ~$20 15 watt iron.

 

[abcheng]

I use a Weller WES51 and Hakko 936 for work, and I've been liking the 936 more recently. Both are excellent stations in my opinion.