I have tried searching for this topic and didn't find any replies regarding it.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality soldering iron?
I had a Weller that worked when it wanted to. Last night the unit didn't work with solder but sure heated up in my hand quickly. Once it cooled off on the concrete floor it was fixed so it won't heat up anyone else's hand.
Now I need to find a replacement.
Any suggestions from personal experience would be appreciated.
Thank You in advance.
March 29, 2018, 04:28 PM
greco
What do you solder? I solder wires, so 25 watt is ok. Bigger stock, like sheetmetal mAy require 40 watt or more
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March 29, 2018, 04:32 PM
JALLEN
Whay kind of soldering? Big stuff, high heat, small, fine work?
I have a Weller 200 watt gun, and a Weller WES51 for electronic stuff.
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March 29, 2018, 04:32 PM
Xer0
Depends on what your soldering. For very small stuff (AKA 0201 size surface mount resistors), we use several of the Hakko FX-951 units at work doing rework on SSD components every day. Originally we had Metcal 500's but everyone hated them since the temp is determined by the tip inserts and not adjustable temp ranges.
If you're just doing stuff like automobile wiring, any cheapo 25-40 watt iron will do.
March 29, 2018, 04:35 PM
nhtagmember
I have a Weller that I bought in July of 1991 for doing electronics stuff and I was using it two days ago to fabricate some new coax cables for one of my ham radios.
When it craps out, I will buy another Weller.
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
March 29, 2018, 04:39 PM
sreding
I ordered this one a couple months ago - Love the variable temp and it heats up QUICK!
So much better than my previous Radio Shack soldering station - 20/40watt.
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March 29, 2018, 04:45 PM
nshumway
What is your budget? What do you normally solder? I easily have 20-25 different irons ranging from 24 to 350 watts and really like the Weller WX stations.
A good general purpose higher power to get is a Weller GT- I have 2 and have used them for stained glass and electronics with no complaints and virtually instant heat.
If the budget is bigger, look for a used Weller WD1 or WX1 on ebay- there are a wide variety of irons available to suit any need you might have. If you are patient, $100 should get you a great setup.
March 29, 2018, 05:10 PM
ensigmatic
Gots to know what you're soldering.
Personally, I've a Weller soldering gun, an Ungar temperature-controlled soldering station, a Wahl cordless soldering iron and, somewhere, a corded soldering pencil (25W or there-abouts, if memory serves). All serve different purposes.
I also have this soldering device that does not, itself, get hot (heats the wires with current--Sears made it, I think) and a soldering iron powered by butane (from HF, I think).
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March 29, 2018, 05:12 PM
Pale Horse
quote:
a Weller WES51 for electronic stuff.
As an electronics tech repairing a lot of circuit boards I have carried one of these in my tool box for years and it's been pretty good to me.
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March 29, 2018, 05:19 PM
Knighthawk
All,
I do soldering around garage reattaching items that came apart from household use, auto wires for accessories, misc. Nothing heavy duty, currently trying to solder a broken off metal connector that had been previously soldered (not by me)
I have a Weller and have found that at times the contacts for the resistanceU part that heats get an oxidation. Thanking it off and cleaning the contact points gets it heating properly again. Pick it up from the floor and check this out.
You've got to know what to do when you don't know what to do.
March 29, 2018, 07:21 PM
ugeesta
I picked up the Hakko FX-888d when I was building my model railroad layout. Being my first real soldering gun, I was pretty impressed.
Timely question. The wife just managed to lose my small soldering iron that I've had for over thirty-five years. I'm contemplating one of the 25 or 40 watt Wellers.
_____________________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington.
March 30, 2018, 06:08 AM
Oz_Shadow
Weller is still good. I went with Hakko. They have small Dash irons to bigger variable stations. This is for soldering wires.
For desoldering those high watt pistol irons are good.
March 30, 2018, 06:17 AM
egregore
quote:
I had a Weller that worked when it wanted to.
Weller is practically a genericized trademark for soldering equipment.
Weller is practically a genericized trademark for soldering equipment.