soldering iron on the way out

[aragorn723]

Hi,

I've been working on putting together a quickie, and am on the last few steps, but have been having trouble with my soldering iron.  It is a Weller ML500MP, which is a small, butane powered unit.  It worked pretty well until last night, when the piezo ignition had trouble lighting.  It used to start right up, but now i'm lucky if it works at all.  Can anyone recommend a good soldering iron (maybe corded?) for this type of work?  The tip i have now is a pencil tip, and that works well, so i would like to stay with that, but am wondering what wattage to get, since it looks like the iron won't make it thru the rest of the Quickie build.  Thanks!

Dave

 

[galyons]

I have used a Hakko 936 soldering station for over 5 years now.  It's been dropped, knocked off the bench and generally thrown about.  It never fails to work exactly as expected.  The current replacement model is the Hakko FX888D.  Mine is a black, utilitarian box with no temperature display.  The FX888D is neon hi-tek and sports a digital temperature gauge.  Price is under $100. 

Here is the Amazon listing: http://tinyurl.com/k32lylx

Hakko site: http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

Gotta have a good iron!!!!

Cheers,
Geary

 

[aragorn723]

Thanks for the idea..  I don't really want to spend that much, maybe $50 or less?  Not sure how much i'll be using a soldering iron when the kit is done.. Of course this kind of thing is addicting, so who knows  8)

 

[howardnair]

http://www.partsconnexion.com/solderingstat.html
this  should fit the bill

 

[btrancho]

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/soldering-stations

I've built a dac, several amps (including my Crack w/ Speedball), three sets of speakers, many interconnects, and a few headphone cables with one of the lower end stations and a selection of tips.  I'm sure a Hakko is better, but mine gets the job done.

 

[aragorn723]

http://www.partsconnexion.com/solderingstat.html
this  should fit the bill

So the brand of this is Hakko?  I dont know the name, but mostly just need something reliable, and good temp control too.  Does it do a good job on soldering that needs a lot of heat, like RCAs and terminal strips?  Also, how about low temp stuff like pcbs?  Thanks,

Dave

 

[galyons]

http://www.partsconnexion.com/solderingstat.html
this  should fit the bill

So the brand of this is Hakko?  I dont know the name, but mostly just need something reliable, and good temp control too.  Does it do a good job on soldering that needs a lot of heat, like RCAs and terminal strips?  Also, how about low temp stuff like pcbs?  Thanks,

Dave

Looks much like my old Hakko 936.  Very good unit.  Excellent price. 

Cheers,
Geary

 

[Doc B]

That's a screamin deal! I think I paid that much for a used one a while ago.

 

[SteveH]

I thought I'd posted this once before, but maybe not.  This is not a Hakko 936, it is a 'high quality replica'.  From the pcX web page:

"NOTE: The 936 model is no longer in production by Hakko. These units are high quality "replica" stations (1 year warranty). "

Not saying this isn't a good station because I don't know.  It's not a Hakko, even though it looks like the replacement tip may be.

Still might pick one up as a backup.

SteveH

 

[aragorn723]

How about Amazon?  Are there any good ones there for about $50?

 

[coca]

Pick one up. I did. It's a 936 knock off. I spend more than that on coffee in a month at the donut store.

Bernie.

 

[aragorn723]

Like this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VINMRO/ref=pd_aw_sbs_3?pi=SL500_SS115

 

[galyons]

Like this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VINMRO/ref=pd_aw_sbs_3?pi=SL500_SS115

Looks like another Hakko knock off.  Hard to say in terms of quality. Looks similar to the unit that Parts Connexion is selling.

 

[aragorn723]

Are Weller ones any good?  Its really time to bite the bullet-I finished the PJCCS but can't solder it into the Quickie yet    So the general consensus is to get a soldering station though, because of temp control?  Thanks,

Dave

 

[Paul Joppa]

I am personally extremely happy with the Tenma temp-controlled solder station which my wife got for me several Christmases ago - I believe she consulted Doc B behind my back on that.

However, I should add that I did a LOT of soldering when young with a combination solder pencil/woodburning kit sourced from Radio Shack, probably in the early sixties when I was a teenager.  I'd use my dad's solder gun when I needed more heat.  Eventually (early seventies? late sixties?) I gave my father a new solder gun to replace the old one which by then I had dropped and broken several times, and took the patched-up old one for myself. I used that for decades; the original Paramour was built with it. It had two speeds, 100 watts and 300 watts IIRC, so I grew adept at switching it on and off to establish the temperature. The heated tip was pretty fat, probably 1/4 inch wide and with a curvature diameter about the same. Its great advantage was a pair of flashlight bulbs which came on when the heat was on, illuminating the work.

You do eventually get used to the tools you have, and learn to make them work. But there's no way I would go back to that beast!

 

[mcandmar]

That sounds like a plumbers iron to me

So if a bad workman blames his tools, does a good workman suffer in silence?

 

[aragorn723]

I am personally extremely happy with the Tenma temp-controlled solder station which my wife got for me several Christmases ago - I believe she consulted Doc B behind my back on that.

You're a lucky guy!  8)

 

[Grainger49]

I've got a Weller that I have had since 1975.  It is kind of a station.  But I had to add an on/off switch, it was made to be unplugged when not used.  I have left it on for weeks sometimes and it comes back.  Replaced the tip once since 1975.

 

[spaniard02]

Like this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VINMRO/ref=pd_aw_sbs_3?pi=SL500_SS115

In case you haven't pulled the trigger yet, wanted to point out that Fry's is currently offering that same Aoyue 936 for $39.99 w/FS:
http://www.frys.com/product/7742028?site=sa:adpages%20page104_WED%20date:122513

It isn't exactly a raging deal (I bought mine from RandyRuby on eBay several months ago for $41.99 w/FS), but it's about the best you're going to get on it - that is, unless you're buying multiple units from that circuitspecialists.com link, to save with the combined shipping.

I have this same station and am very happy w/ my decision to buy it over more expensive models.  I think the only gripe that Hakko fans have with it is that the handle can get pretty warm depending on where/how you hold it, and it is true, but it's nothing you can't solve in about 30 seconds with some stretchy foam and/or electrical tape to add a little bit more padding.  Highly recommend it.

Then just add a 10 or 12 -piece tip set from eBay for under $10 w/FS and you should be all set for your $50 target spend.

 

[aragorn723]

Thanks for the reply.  I wound up buying a Weller professional soldering iron that plugs into the wall (the old one is butane).  It is a lot better than the old one (heats joints much more quickly).