Soldering station reccomendation?

[MrDriveby]

Looking for a soldering station when i'm now starting a new build.

Got a cheap soldering penn (30W) and need a decent station, one thats good value for money:-)

[Phoebe]

After 40 years of Weller I tried a Hakko station because we use them at work (oceanographic electronics). Very nice stuff. Having said that, all of the major brands are fine.

[MrDriveby]

Thanks! Look into it, is there any minimum effect that's nessesary to have?

[gixx1k2]

TrakPower TK-950 is awesome and it's under $100

[twissted]

Mine is a old 80watt from Radio Shack it has the digital front face so it will tell you the temp as well as what you set it to.

[Basstronics]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=soldering+station&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xsoldering+station+937d&_nkw=soldering+station+937d&_sacat=0

I use the one with the blue/yellow handle. Its a higher watt rating.

Works awesome providing if you dont use it as a pry bar.

[Phoebe]

A name brand unit will hold it's temp much more accurately than the ebay no-names. Parts will be available for a zillion years, it will last half a lifetime, and the pencil will be made of a nice material that feels good. Splurge. We're only talkin' +/- $100

[agentorange]

I got my Black and Decker soldering station at home depot and it has and stand and 2 arms with gator clips to hold whatever you are working on. I have had it for about 10 years and its still going strong.

http://asda.scene7.com/is/image/Asda/1227209?hei=400&wid=400

[SloHD]

A name brand unit will hold it's temp much more accurately than the ebay no-names. Parts will be available for a zillion years, it will last half a lifetime, and the pencil will be made of a nice material that feels good. Splurge. We're only talkin' +/- $100

+1 tk-950

[Alexgar]

Velleman vtss5 50 watt station for less than 40$ at frys

[gixx1k2]

The problem with the lower wattage and cheap irons is you cannot effectively solder 8 gauge wire, or 10 gauge for that matter lol. The TrakPower TK-950 is only $79 and IMO is one of the best stations out for what we use them for.

[gsbuickman]

Good information :-) . I've been thinking about picking up a solder station. At the moment i am using an 80 watt weller iron from hobby town. it works alright for most things, but Gixx is right. With some things its a pain in the butt. I love using my hand held butane torch.
up bullet connectors. i havent seen anything that'll do bullets as quick & slick as a good torch :-P

[Basstronics]

Meh that 937D for under $50 comes with 5 tips, electronic display and heats upto 450c in about 1 minute. Plenty of power/heat to solder 8mm bullet without issue. Plenty of power to make up for heat loss when soldering larger items.

Good station for under $50.

If you havent used it then I guess your opinion on it isnt very notable...

[siberianhusky]

WOuld love a nice station, been doing amatuer electronics and guitar tube amp repair for years.
Still use a big honkin 80W chisel tip for big things and my 15W Weller from the 70's for everything else.
Yes I'm a bit cheap! But hey if something is still working for me.....LOL was still using my AM Futaba Magnum Sport radio from the mid 80's until a couple years ago.
Running out of room also! My tool collection is taking up more room than my RC stuff.....

[SirBudman32]

I agree with Basstronics. I had mine first and told him about it as he was looking for one also. Nice unit and hold temps just fine. Heats up in less then a Min.