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Good Soldering Iron

75.167.23.76
Posted on July 14, 2016 at 17:28:17
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
I have gone through five yes five soldering irons in the past few years. Now mind you I hardly ever use them. So to go through this many is ridiculous. Can anyone recommend a straight soldering iron that will last. I am tired of these cheapness I buy burning out. Thanks

 

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RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 14, 2016 at 17:36:59
vinnie2
Audiophile

Posts: 4481
Location: North Carolina
Joined: September 28, 2013
 Spend a bit more (+/- $100) on a good Weller and you should be fine. I have used them for years and only had to replace the tip holder one time on one of them.

 

RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 14, 2016 at 17:39:27
TRUFI
Audiophile

Posts: 622
Location: So. California
Joined: March 16, 2002
 American Beauty irons last. I have a big 150 Watt that is 50 years old. You can get smaller sizes.

For my electronics work I use an Edsyn soldering station. Have owned it for over 10 years (used almost daily) with no issues.

 

RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 14, 2016 at 18:05:50
FenderLover
 Are you working on mostly point-to-point or printed circuit boards? I use a Weller WESD-51 for point-to-point and a Hakko FX888D on circuit boards, with tiny tracings.

 

RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 14, 2016 at 18:27:20
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will check into your recommendations...

 

Weller all the way., posted on July 14, 2016 at 18:29:03
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I have a Wellers and I have a Hakko..The Hakko tips are expensive and they burn up often because they run hot.Here is one I use mostly and it's automatic temp and it's my favorite.The WTCPS.Here is a used one that is like new and they usually sell for 170 and they are US made..You will love this unit.I also like the one with the control.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

Here is another one for 39 BIN, posted on July 14, 2016 at 18:33:35
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I have three of these units..Two I bought new and one used.They are all incredible and it what Terry DeWick uses as well.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

no doubt, the Hakko!, posted on July 14, 2016 at 18:35:02
gkargreen
Audiophile

Posts: 1562
Location: DC
Joined: February 5, 2005
 I've had my 936 for 10 years, never an issue, which is why they are the industry standard and used in all major shops. I traded that one up for the FP-102, which is the best thing I have bought in years! It has hot-swappable tips that make going from small tube pin sockets to larger terminal strips or the like a 15 sec switch, so damn convenient! You can find the FP-102 on ebay with a half-dozen or so tips for around $100, and it will be the best money spent! I bought one on ebay with 6 new tips about a year ago for $100, this is best!

 

Really no bad choices in these recommendations..., posted on July 14, 2016 at 20:05:07
caffeinator
Audiophile

Posts: 1729
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 22, 2003
 I actually have one each of almost all the recommended solder stations and I'd say there are really no bad choices among them, especially for the hobbyist (by that I mean someone like me who's often chipping away at a project on the bench and occasionally doing a marathon session when it's a lousy day out or one's otherwise becalmed).

I have a Weller like Mike showed, plus it's sibling with the temperature control dial. I also have a Hakko FX-888D (the one with the digital readout).

While I like the Hakko's quick change tips and digital readout, as well as the dial on the adjustable Weller, I find these are features I don't use a lot. I do change tips sometimes, but I'm not in such a hurry I can't wait a few minutes for things to cool down. Similarly, I tend to find a good temperature for a solder and stick with it, rarely adjusting it.

So I'd say, bottom line, if you're not a 'power user,' pick among the recommended stations and shop on price and delivery. Hakko and Weller are, of course, very common, so tips and parts are readily available for these. I do see the Weller products more in local hardware stores, but this is a somewhat illusory benefit - the things stocked in places like Home Depot are not typically for electronics.

Just my $0.02

 

RE: no doubt, the Hakko!, posted on July 14, 2016 at 22:43:45
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Hakko is the industry standard? AH,they use them and I have one but they aren't a Pace or a top end Weller.The tips don't last when you use them hours at a time.Maybe you had better luck.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

They are all decent but here are the best rated ones/, posted on July 14, 2016 at 22:54:53
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 No surprises here.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: no doubt, the Hakko!, posted on July 15, 2016 at 00:27:00
shane.
Audiophile

Posts: 394
Location: S.A.
Joined: March 27, 2004
 +1 for Hakko 936, temp regulation is IME essential and 'ESD safe' is a good thing to be.. 15 years now and no problems at all..

 

Is what I use Michael, along with the trusty copper wound Weller 100/140~nT, posted on July 15, 2016 at 02:36:44
Cleantimestream
Audiophile

Posts: 7550
Location: Kentucky
Joined: June 30, 2005
 ~!
The Mind has No Firewall~ U.S. Army War College.

 

+ 1, posted on July 15, 2016 at 04:45:01
vinnie2
Audiophile

Posts: 4481
Location: North Carolina
Joined: September 28, 2013
 That's what I have too. It's more expensive than I thought though. I got mine used at the local flea market for $20 5 years ago. I did have to replace the tip holder after a couple of years, but who knows how many hours it had on it before I got it? Great iron.

 

I agree with Weller..., posted on July 15, 2016 at 07:37:04
FenderLover
 but get the WESD51, with digital temp readout. Very easy to use for quick & accurate solders. That IS the key to good solder points. Quick at possible. On as clean surfaces, as possible.

I can't believe that list doesn't include any Hakko stations. These are the very best for small area, critical circuit board solders. Esp with heat sensitive IC chips.

Solder on my 1955 Tweed Champ, using Weller.

caps redone 8+8 photo caps redone_zpsd16uxsgc.jpg

Solder on AN DAC kit, using Hakko.

photo Audio Note DAC kit_zpsxhiducyw.jpg

 

Same here - WTCPS + 100/140W Gun, posted on July 15, 2016 at 08:09:23
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 I've also been thinking about picking up a 100W Weller iron (W100P) for tough jobs, like soldering braid or strap to a steel chassis.

 

RE: Same here - WTCPS + 100/140W Gun, posted on July 15, 2016 at 10:17:58
Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000
 FWIW, I have to finish refurbishing an old Wen gun I got off EBone. I had that same model in my early teens and LOVED it. It beat the living guano out of Weller. I was "forever" changing Weller's copper tips and the gun ultimately failed. The Wen's tip is iron and you can hold the trigger until it glows red, without having a failure.

Some (all?) current guns carrying the Wen brand are made in China. They may be OK, but ...


Eli D.

 

RE: Really no bad choices in these recommendations..., posted on July 15, 2016 at 11:18:08
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I change tips very easily on the Weller as well.Another thing I don't like about my Hakko is the fact that whenever I change tips which is often,I always have to the change the sleeve or tip holder with the tip.The tips are always stuck in that sleeve and I can seldom reuse them.The tips for the Hakko are 7 to 12 dollars each and then you have another 5 dollars for the sleeve.That gets expensive.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

Do you think that's an unbiased list?, posted on July 15, 2016 at 11:37:04
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Seems they list what they sell.

Weller is the "coca cola" of hobbyist soldering irons. However, it seems to me that in recent years the quality of their products has deteriorated, possibly because now made off-shore. "Weller", the brand, may be one of those great American brand names that has been sold off, maybe to China.

 

RE: Same here - WTCPS + 100/140W Gun, posted on July 15, 2016 at 11:41:02
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 The WENs were a great iron but what I didn't like was the brittle cases on them.If you dropped them accidentally,you were sure to bust a chunk out of the case most of the time.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Do you think that's an unbiased list?, posted on July 15, 2016 at 11:43:27
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 That Weller they speak of is made in Germany..The Pace is also a great soldering station and I have a Pace desoldering station.. Cooper tools owns Weller which is definitely an American company.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Same here - WTCPS + 100/140W Gun, posted on July 15, 2016 at 12:26:52
Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000
 "If you dropped them accidentally,you were sure to bust a chunk out of the case most of the time."


Bakelite or something similar will do that. :>( I did see pics of an old red cased gun (higher wattage) that was "more" epoxy than OEM material. ;>) Obviously, the old "beast" still got the job done.

When I was a youngster, I saw a recommendation to put a few 1/4 inch or so wide rubber bands on a gun's handle, to prevent slips/drops and the broken plastic they caused. JB Weld is definitely something to have on hand. Glue the cracked plastic up and go back to work.


Eli D.

 

RE: Do you think that's an unbiased list?, posted on July 15, 2016 at 12:31:30
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17294
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 My WES51 is made in Mexico.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 15, 2016 at 12:39:15
Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000
 For a "simple" iron, as opposed to a station, buy Hexacon brand, in an appropriate wattage.

I have a 60 W. Hexacon, that I use for "heavy" jobs. It has stood up to the tasks, where some guns of recent manufacture (including a Weller) broke down and had to be discarded. ;>(

25 to 30 W. should be good for general tube DIY work. Around PCBs, a smaller wattage "pencil" is frequently appropriate. Lifting traces with too much heat is decidedly unpleasant. :>((


Eli D.

 

RE: Same here - WTCPS + 100/140W Gun, posted on July 15, 2016 at 13:10:36
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 "Some (all?) current guns carrying the Wen brand are made in China."

I was afraid of that. I noticed on Amazon today that the description of the W100P Iron now says "imported." I'll need to look for a good used one in order to get US quality.





 

No way - where's Edsyn? , posted on July 15, 2016 at 13:19:06
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 We use Edsyn where I work. They're out of my price range for home use, but extremely reliable and adjustable, with a wide variety of tip sizes and styles.


 

American Company doesn't mean American Made, posted on July 15, 2016 at 13:23:18
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 Look at Black and Decker, and even Sears Craftsman is now becoming a Chinese brand with a shorter warranty. The West has screwed itself.







 

RE: Good Soldering Iron, posted on July 15, 2016 at 14:53:41
llwhtt
Audiophile

Posts: 192
Location: SOCAL
Joined: October 28, 2008
 I use a Weller WES51, parts are available everywhere. You can also get the iron alone if it fails. I used to use a military version of an OK In- dustries station but parts were always difficult to find and eventually impossible. So that was my criterion for the new station, PARTS AVAILABILITY.

The WES51 is always on sale at MCM.

Craig

 

RE: my wife bought me an Edsyn for Christmas, posted on July 15, 2016 at 16:01:23
bean
 about ten years ago. She simply bought the best she could order through the local Rat Shack.

I've loved it. Great tool.

 

Exactly., posted on July 15, 2016 at 17:48:10
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 And they are cheaper for the Weller as well..I have never been thru so many tips and sleeves on a soldering iron until I bought that Hakko..I got it cheap at the AK Fest for like 76 dollars and now I know why..LOL
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

Awesome wife!, posted on July 15, 2016 at 18:07:39
FenderLover
 I get shirts.


8^)

 

When I first saw that,I thought you said she bought you, posted on July 16, 2016 at 19:46:03
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
an Edsel.Now that would be a really superb wife.


"
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Ha! She's always said, posted on July 16, 2016 at 22:26:48
bean
 she would like to see me drive a late '50's - early '60's car.

She comes from a family of gearheads, they all have 'hobby' cars; alas, I'm useless as a mechanic.

 

RE: Ha! She's always said, posted on July 17, 2016 at 19:27:21
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 That red and white Edsel is a charmer,isn't it? I think the car was too far ahead of its time.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: American Company doesn't mean American Made, posted on July 17, 2016 at 19:33:49
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I agree.We know that all too well..The real sad part people don't get,if we ever have a war,our most formidable opponent would be China.We no longer have the ability to build a top tier conventional war machine because we have lost our manufacturing base due to greed and cheap labor..This is why I cringe when I see so many people buying foreign made products when there is an American alternative.I don't care if they have plants here or not,the majority of the money goes back to the country that owns these factories.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Ha! She's always said, posted on July 17, 2016 at 20:03:23
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 I guarantee that if you have a hobby car, it's the only hobby you'll have time for. Those old beasts are expensive for a reason - each owner down the line has spent every waking moment and half of every paycheck keeping it running and looking like that. I'm getting rid of my latest hobby car in the next few weeks. I didn't realize how much I really love tube audio design until I started spending most of my spare time in and under this thing. Can't wait to get back to building something worthwhile!




 

RE: American Company doesn't mean American Made, posted on July 18, 2016 at 13:59:10
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 God forbid, but if there is a next war, it won't be like WW2, and "we" won't need a "war machine". It would begin and end very quickly.

 

WWIII, posted on July 22, 2016 at 15:41:58
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10042
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 "It would begin and end very quickly."

It's astounding how many people don't comprehend this. Years ago, I was on a sales trip to China, discussing my (US) company's television transmitters with a group of engineers. One of the options I offered would allow multiple transmitters in various locations to lock to a single frequency source, which would in turn be locked to GPS.

The minute I said "GPS," one of their engineers leaned into the conversation and informed me they could never buy a system that was reliant on GPS for its operation. When I asked why, he said "What would happen if there was a war? The US would shut it down!" I thought for a minute, then asked him if entertainment TV would be their priority during a war between China and the US. Dead silence...

 

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