[eightbitpotion]

So ...the name says it all. I bought a cheapo RS iron to see if I liked this stuff...and I do very much. So, I'm in the market for a NEW iron, but I'm not sure which one. I need super fine tips if I can, but also a mid-sized one.... I don't want anything too crazy. I was looking at butane irons, but wasn't sure how consistent they are....any thoughts on these?

What do YOU use, and do you prefer it over any other iron?

 

[heatmizer]

hakko dash 20 watt

 

[Fitz]

I use a Hakko 936

Absolutely do not get a butane iron unless you actually need the portability of it.

 

[balou]

I use a 15w iron from conrad, a popular german electric/electronic distributor. came in a nice kit with a desolder pump and some solder, for about 16$

I have not much to compare to, but it's sure nicer than that 75w iron with the broken tip I had before. and that fluxless solder sure was a pain to solder

edit: considering fitzs post... also stay away from those battery powered induction irons...

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by balou /img/forum/go_quote.gif edit: considering fitzs post... also stay away from those battery powered induction irons...

Are you referring to the "cold heat" irons? (induction soldering is a completely different thing)

Those things are the biggest joke around, they aren't even soldering irons, more like really bad spot welders.

 

[riffer]

I just bought a Hakko 936-12.

I haven't used it a lot, but definitely better than the RadioShack irons I used before.

 

[balou]

fitz: yep, forgot the name. and they do work on the principle of induction, but as it seems on a subpar level. after just a few solder joints, the tip's gonna erode like mad. well, that is if you can get a contact at all

 

[funch]

This one. Station 1A.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

 

[wgr73]

I use a radio shack, 40W. It works for everything I do!

 

[003]

I use the radio shack $7.99 15w grounded iron... yeah I know I need one of the hakko irons but a pricey iron is low on the priority list right now and I am strapped for cash as is.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by balou /img/forum/go_quote.gif fitz: yep, forgot the name. and they do work on the principle of induction, but as it seems on a subpar level. after just a few solder joints, the tip's gonna erode like mad. well, that is if you can get a contact at all

Induction soldering involves no direct contact with the objects being soldered (instead using a high-freq AC field). My understanding of the coldheat iron is that it just shorts out the batteries against whatever you're trying to solder.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I use the radio shack $7.99 15w grounded iron... yeah I know I need one of the hakko irons but a pricey iron is low on the priority list right now and I am strapped for cash as is.

It's more convenience and ease of use than anything else. I have a cheap Philips ECG iron I used for a long time before I got the Hakko 936. The main driving force for me to upgrade was so I wouldn't have to keep replacing the tips all the time.

 

[ezkcdude]

I use a Metcal 500...in my dreams.

 

[FallenAngel]

I use the Weller SP25L. Works great, but I have to wait for it to warm up a few minutes and replacement tips are almost $5 around here.

 

[dcheming]

Weller WP25 for electronics
Weller D550 for heavy stuff