Buying a decent soldering iron (Need recommendation)

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:34 pm

For years I've had a cheap RadioShack soldering iron and now I want to buy a better one. I've looked at this one: http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 and it looks pretty good. Has anybody used this iron, or any products from Circuit Specialists? Are their products any good?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:10 pm

I just use cheap 30w irons, cost about Â£2 each and the same on postage. Skytronic are the name. Work well, pencil pointed.

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:17 pm

I use the Weller brand ones from local hardware stores. They work great, I've had mine for ages. My dad's using the one he had as a teen, and my brother uses my grandpa's No sense spending loads of money on one when this does the job just as well.

themadhacker · Post by **themadhacker** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:37 pm

i use a 120 watt craftsman iron. The thing has a lot of watts, i know, but it melts solder pretty fast

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:01 pm

This is the one I have and I wouldn't trade it for anything

http://www.engineeringlab.com/solderingiron.html

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:14 pm

bacteria wrote:I just use cheap 30w irons, cost about Â£2 each and the same on postage. Skytronic are the name. Work well, pencil pointed.

I have a RadioShack 30w iron, but I want to buy a better one. (The tip selection they have is quite limited)

mothatrucka wrote:I use the Weller brand ones from local hardware stores. They work great, I've had mine for ages. My dad's using the one he had as a teen, and my brother uses my grandpa's No sense spending loads of money on one when this does the job just as well.

That sounds great! Are they expensive? What stores can I get them at?

themadhacker wrote:i use a 120 watt craftsman iron. The thing has a lot of watts, i know, but it melts solder pretty fast

Sounds like it'd melt electronics pretty quickly, too.

hailrazer wrote:This is the one I have and I wouldn't trade it for anything

http://www.engineeringlab.com/solderingiron.html

Why do you need two irons?

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:59 pm

If you have an Ace nearby, I'd recommendthis one.It's 40W, and comes with several tips to get you started. I personally don't see any reason to spend more when this gets the job done.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:11 pm

mothatrucka wrote:If you have an Ace nearby, I'd recommendthis one.It's 40W, and comes with several tips to get you started. I personally don't see any reason to spend more when this gets the job done.

That looks like a good one, thanks.

Is it better than this one ?

mothatrucka · Post by **mothatrucka** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:26 pm

Mario wrote:Is it better than this one ?

The Weller one is a higher wattage, so it will melt the solder faster. Also, that one doesn't seem to have the replacement tips that the Weller came with. I have no idea who makes the irons for Radio Shak, but Weller's been around for years.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:27 pm

Alright, thank you very much!

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:10 am

You kids and your tips. All you need is a 5 dollar iron and whatever tip it came with. File it down like a pencil, sometimes the heating element lasts long enough to need a new tip.

ShockSlayer · Post by **ShockSlayer** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:59 am

timmeh87 wrote:You kids and your tips. All you need is a 5 dollar iron and whatever tip it came with. File it down like a pencil, sometimes the heating element lasts long enough to need a new tip.

Yep, I've been using the same tip and the same 15W Radioshack soldering iron for about a year and a half now. Filing = win. And, If you dont leave it on for hours on end, it lasts MUCH longer. I can still relocate an n64 cart slot on the first try flawlessly too!

SS

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:23 am

Yes and you can drive a Yugo to work every day also.

But sometimes a BMW is much nicer

Once you've used an adjustable soldering/desoldering station you NEVER go back.

ian2120 · Post by **ian2120** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:34 am

hailrazer wrote:Yes and you can drive a Yugo to work every day also.

But sometimes a BMW is much nicer

Once you've used an adjustable soldering/desoldering station you NEVER go back.

Until it breaks, and your out of money, and your put out on the street with your wife and kids just eatin' your can o' peas!

Just kidding!
But back on topic, filing eh? I'll give it a try. And also, what about a desoldering iron? I need one that's cheap, but does it well, and is good for beginners.

Rekarp · Post by **Rekarp** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:26 am

I use a Weller 25 and the Rat shack desoldering iron. Have the smalllest screwdriver bit for the Weller.