[kaizer]

Id like something better than the crappy old soldering iron that came with an old pc tool "kit"

I dont want to spend much over 50 bucks on one.. I keep hearing Weller for a name brand.. Any particular models I should look for? Id like to get it local if possible, but online ordering is fine.

 

[AndrewFischer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaizer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Id like something better than the crappy old soldering iron that came with an old pc tool "kit" I dont want to spend much over 50 bucks on one.. I keep hearing Weller for a name brand.. Any particular models I should look for? Id like to get it local if possible, but online ordering is fine.

Get a used Weller WTCPT from eBay. Buy a two new tips and a sponge with your next parts order.

Edit:

I just looked and there are several decent looking ones for $50, although a that is a bit much to pay. Watch out there is a least one currently for sale that is missing a few parts.

 

[tomb]

This is only a difference of opinion, so YMMV, but I personally think the Hakko "Dash" line of irons are the finest simple soldering irons made, period. They average about $25 ea and are availalbe in three versions of power/tips.

 

[duchamp]

My Circuit Specialists CS-1 station has been giving me problems lately so I picked up a Metcal SP-200 on eBay for $50 the other day. Others have had good experiences with Metcal irons from what I have heard. They are pricey but good deals seem to available on eBay if you don't mind going that route. My CS-1 looks suspiciously like a re-labeled Hakko 936, but some swear by the Hakko's as well. I think the CS-1 was around $40 (I received it as a gift so I'm not exactly sure,) so for a bit more a used Metcal would be feasible and within your price range. Spending a bit more on something reliable makes sense to me.

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

ya I was gonna suggest the Hakko "Dash" line too. N452JN N453JN & N454JN are the model #s id use to look for em. Search froogle, only 2 places on there sell em and I havent seen em on ebay yet. You can also buy em off the hakko USA website. All of em sell them for exactly the same price so I guess the deciding factor would be shipping costs

 

[Ikarios]

I got my Dash out of Fry's (pretty sure it was outpost.com). The order did come to $50 after I paid for two extra tips and shipping, though -_-

 

[tomb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aflac /img/forum/go_quote.gif I got my Dash out of Fry's (pretty sure it was outpost.com). The order did come to $50 after I paid for two extra tips and shipping, though -_-

Yeah, Fry's finally changed their online name to Frys.com instead of Outpost.com. Actually, we have the stores in Atlanta - which is where I bought my Dash. I have a Hakko 936 for most work, but the Dash was more than enough for a CMoy, two PIMETA's, a half dozen SMD Brown Dogs, and most of 4 Milletts. I still use it frequently when it's a little too much trouble to setup the 936 (I don't keep either one out on a regular basis, dangit!)

 

[cotdt]

in the long run, the hakko 936 pays for itself

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif in the long run, the hakko 936 pays for itself

really, how?

I'm not doubting you, just wondering

 

[cotdt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd4ever /img/forum/go_quote.gif really, how? I'm not doubting you, just wondering

the tips and the iron itself is much more reliable than say... weller. plus, it warms up in less than 20 seconds, saving you time and electricity, since you can turn it off more often. and the wide variety of available tips means you got yourself a very multi-purpose iron.

with other irons, you need to replace the tips all the time, and they cost $5 each which adds up.

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

are there fewer tips available for the N45xJN than the 936, and are they less durable than the ones on the 936?

 

[Seaside]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd4ever /img/forum/go_quote.gif are there fewer tips available for the N45xJN than the 936, and are they less durable than the ones on the 936?

936 has widest tip selection. I think is like 15 different tips.
N45X series has about 5 to 6 tips, i think.
I do not think we need more than 3 tips for hobby soldering.
So, the selection will be OK.
I believe Hakko uses the same materials with tips for both model.
So, the tip quality would be almost identical.
I remember that someone said some 936 tips are compatible with N45X.
Not sure who he is. Please comment if you know about this.

 

[AndrewFischer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by duchamp /img/forum/go_quote.gif My CS-1 looks suspiciously like a re-labeled Hakko 936, but some swear by the Hakko's as well. I think the CS-1 was around $40

The CS-1 is a Chinese clone of the Hakko 936. The CS-1 is not as good as the Hakko. Still it is worth considering if you are on a < $50 budget. There is a very long thread on the CS-1 and Hakko clones.

My suggestion is still a used Weller WTCPT. Nothing reasonable prices on used ones on eBay at them moment. There is a new one from HMC for $109. (not really worth it as you can get a Hakko 936 for about $20 less)

 

[AndrewFischer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif the tips and the iron itself is much more reliable than say... weller.

Not my experience. I've got 2 WTCPT stations and a Hakko 936. Both are decent but the WTCPT is more rugged than the 936.

Tip life is about the same. I've recently switched to using Plato tips for all 3 irons. So far I like them. Plato has an extended range of tips for both brands. That removes any advantage Hakko had over Weller in the tip department.

One big downside to the 936 is that changing tips can change temperature calibration. That doesn't happen on the WTCPT.

 

[dinoadventures]

Not to threadjack, but I felt it would be better to ask here instead of making a new thread...

I'm gonna make a pair of small IC's. I need something that'll help me do the job well, but I don't want to spend a lot of money. I've soldered maybe one thing in my life, so I suck at it and I probably won't use it after this for a long while. There's a Fry's relatively close to me...what do I get?