Soldering station.

[Zen]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here it is. I have been doing a lot more soldering lately. I want to pick up a station at a decent price. Less then 100 is what I'm thinking. It doesn't have to be the newest or best. Looking for quality and no hassle replacement tips to purchase for it. I havnt pirchaced one in a while so I'm sure they improved them. Is weller still a good name? What companies do you recommend? And what should be the min and max watts that will look for? There are so many on eBay and the prices vary drastically. Don't want a disposable one. I want one that will last and do the job well. Soldering mainly RC things. And once in a while soldering a wire or two to a board. Not very often though.

[pescador]

I have a Hakko FX-888, best iron I've ever owned, instant heat and handles 8mm bullets no problem. Lots of different tips available on e-bay. Only complaint would be it doesn't have an auto-shutoff for when I'm multi-tasking. lol.
The 888 is the newer version of the 936. The 936 has been cloned by Yihua and others and is available for under $20 from HobbyKing and elsewhere, pretty good deal and all the Hakko tips will fit.

[Zen]

What was it with shipping. I assume you are in the USA. Shipping kills you.

[pescador]

I'm in Canada but they have it at the HK USA warehouse so shipping shouldn't be too bad.

[olwarbirds]

For doing bullets etc I use a butane soldering gun, fast and easy...for boards and such I been using a Hako fx888D but they are not inexpensive, the Hk clones dont really punch the watts like the Hako does it has a digital readout with adjustable wattage up too 900watts if I remember correctly...I think mine cost around $90 with complete soldering station and multiple xtra tips... DJ

[keithbradley]

For doing bullets etc I use a butane soldering gun, fast and easy...for boards and such I been using a Hako fx888D but they are not inexpensive, the Hk clones dont really punch the watts like the Hako does it has a digital readout with adjustable wattage up too 900watts if I remember correctly...I think mine cost around $90 with complete soldering station and multiple xtra tips... DJ

Probably 90 watts. It wouldn't be 900.

[Zen]

Hey pescador. Scary situation yesterday in your country. I love my country, but I lived up state NY for awhile when I was a teen. Lake placid. We would drive to Montreal a lot to drink and go to the nudy bars on st Catherine st. As I got older I drove to the different cities, one of them Ottawa. Beautiful clean and the people were so friendly. Just a great country. It's sad these as*+oles extremists are trying to cause fear all over. It was awesome your prime minister made the statement that Canada won't back down from anyone. And won't be intimidated. . I wish our "leader" had the balls to speak the same language. Most citizens in the USA have the Canadians backs. Sorry to get off topic but this is everyone's war.

[Brewbud]

My home unit is an old Hakko 936 and it has been going strong for years now. I bought it years ago at Fry's electronics for under $60.

I would avoid Edsyn units. I went through 2 at work. Both units stuck on the heat cycle and were glowing.

I now have a Weller WESD51 at work and it has been a solid unit for the last few years. I like the digital readout.

Cheers,
Tab

[flraptor07]

I've got this one, I've had it for over a year now and used it a lot. You can't beat it for the $ http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMD-Solderin...03232044&rt=nc

[HangTheMan]

I have been using this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[olwarbirds]

Probably 90 watts. It wouldn't be 900.

oops meant 900 degrees f at 70w my bad... temp is adjustable... good catch keith

[Brewbud]

I've got this one, I've had it for over a year now and used it a lot. You can't beat it for the $ http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMD-Solderin...03232044&rt=nc

That is good to hear. I have been looking at similar units and I was wondering how well they hold up. Have you used the air tool much? Does it perform well? If so it would be great to own.

As a reference. My leister air solder tool was over $400 years ago and I cannot justify that for home use.

[flraptor07]

That is good to hear. I have been looking at similar units and I was wondering how well they hold up. Have you used the air tool much? Does it perform well? If so it would be great to own.

As a reference. My leister air solder tool was over $400 years ago and I cannot justify that for home use.

I use the hot air gun all the time, it works awsome for heat shrink tube!

[Racer944]

I use a Weller WLC 100... Not too expensive and does the job very well. Even though it's "only" 40 watts, still goes up to 900 degrees F... Handles all my RC needs...

Zen, thanks... I live in Ottawa and appreciate the thoughts...

Eric

[jhl1963]

+1 Hakko 888 - only downside is that it looks like a fisher price toy (blue & yellow) - have to keep my young guy away from it. I think I paid $90 shipped. Agree auto shutoff would be nice.