Soldering Iron Recommendations

[Metallover]

I am in the market for a new soldering iron. My weller 75w unit can't get the jobs done that I want, so I need something better. Mainly I need something that accepts standard tips.

A soldering station would be nice, let me know what's good. I want it to be able to melt some serious solder but also do the small jobs. I would like to spend as little as possible, but I'm open to all suggestions. You get what you pay for. One of those copper things to clean the tip with would be cool.

Looking around for a second I found a nice soldering girl on the Hakko website.

[BrianG]

The Hakko 60W iron works quite well: http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?C...ID=2932&Page=1

Yeah, it's only a 60W iron, but it's not just the power rating, it's the size of the tip. A larger chisel style tip has more thermal mass and will be able to solder 10-12GA wire with ease. And for the smaller jobs, use a smaller tip.

However, a smaller tip on that iron may get too hot, so you should have some sort of variable heat station. You could go out and get a full-fledged soldering station, but to save a few bucks, you could make a dimmer-controlled station, like I did: http://rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19227

[ClodMaxx]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Yeah, it's only a 60W iron, but it's not just the power rating, it's the size of the tip.

[ insert joke here ]


haha! in all seriousness, though, i have the hakko 936 solder station with the large broad tip, and the copper mesh cleaner thingy. while it was a bit pricey, it will certainly be the last soldering station i'll ever need.

[gixxer]

I also have the hakko and really like it. you can also get the checkpoint station. Appears to be the same thing but its a little cheaper.

[Metallover]

If I need to desolder this zippy, will the above irons work? Any tip recommendations?



I'm really liking what brianG did. I have most of the parts laying around here....

[kulangflow]

Finnster recommends the Goot TQ-95. He's been using it for a few years and swears by it.

It stays at low heat, but when you hit the button it heats up super quickly, then goes back to low heat again. I love this idea because I often have to leave my iron sitting there for a few minutes while I arrange cells or something.

I will be purchasing one this week.

[Arct1k]

Hakko 936 works a treat for me - Tips seem to last forever...

[Bondonutz]

After burning thru several of the Radio shack irons I decided I needed a serious upgrade and bought the Hakko 936, Hellava iron ! Worth the $$$, Wish I bought it years ago.

I also have the Hakko 936, and it works great for me, 0 problems with it. Seems like it's the popular choice here.

[skellyo]

Hakko 936...best iron I've ever used for RC

Hakko 936 as many suggested is a great iron for most RC purposes, and not too expensive for a soldering station. I personally use a Hakko 937, which is more than a lot of people want to spend on an iron, but I think is well worth it.

[junkman]

another vote for the 936. I used to work at stereo shops, thats what we used. I have had one at home for several years, has done everything I needed it to do.

[jayjay283]

90 watt for $5 at Harborfreight and a squiggly holder thing with a sponge for $14. 5 tips free. I just chuck it now and then and start fresh...how do you clean a tip..without a rican

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by skellyo

Hakko 936...best iron I've ever used for RC

Ditto and props to skellyo for originally recommending it to me!

Like others have said, the tips last forever.

[aqwut]

I use a wood burning tip to do all my soldering with my 100 Watt Soldering Gun.. Or you could get the big 240 Watt Weller... I have the 140 Watt and it's plenty powerful enough...