Suggestions for a Soldering Station?

[Tjabo]

Hello all,

I am finally getting ready to start a new V3 board build (MS3 most likely, although I have an MS2 daughterboard sitting there that I could use), and I think I want to treat myself to a soldering station instead of using my old Weller SP23L again. Could anyone point me in the direction of a soldering station that is a good bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance!

Thad

[onig]

I bought this http://www.amazon.ca/Sigma-60D-Lead-Fre ... er+station. Canada

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-60D-Lead-Fr ... =Sigma+60D USA
Used it to solder my JimStim. Works good. Also a good value in my opinion, it comes with a bunch of extra stuff.
If you need more tips, I don't know where to buy them or if other tips would work. Have not needed more tips yet so ......

[Tjabo]

Thank you for that onig!

It does look like one to keep in mind, but after looking at the reviews, I think I would be willing to spend enough to jump up into a higher level of quality if there is a good value at a little higher price point. If I could get into something known to be a good quality product for less than $100 I'd feel happy. If not, then maybe this one would be a great think to try. With Amazon you can always ship it back if you get one of the bad ones.

[DaveEFI]

I'd make sure whatever you buy has a ready supply of various sized tips and spares like the element. Might make more sense to buy a used one which has easy spares rather than a new one which doesn't.

[Tjabo]

Do you guys on here like Hakko such as this one?:

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-T18-D08-D12 ... ng+station

[racingmini_mtl]

I don't have personal experience with the Hakko but it is available from Sparkfun and Adafruit and the reviews look good.

Jean

[DaveEFI]

In many ways it would be good to try before buying. Most irons likely perform well enough - but how comfortable they are in use will depend on the individual. In the same way as you've probably got a screwdriver you like best.
At work, we had Weller and Pace. At home, I prefer Antex. It's IMHO the smallest and lightest hand piece.

[Tjabo]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the insights! I'll take a look at Antex.

[prof315]

I have a Weller WTCPT and love it.

[Tjabo]

I'm liking the look, feedback, and price of those Hakkos. If nobody has a reason not to, I think I'll try one.

[Alex94TAGT]

I've been using a Hakko FX-888 for several years now, and I loooove it. Mine didn't come with the spare tips, and has a manual dial/knob instead of the digital readout of the one in the link. Makes soldering so much easier to have good temperature-controlled equipment. The only tip I have still looks new, despite tons of use.

Not sure how Hakko's other stuff is rated, but I wouldn't hesitate to by the FX-888 again. I also like the 1-pound spools of Kester 44 solder.

[Tjabo]

Great, thank you Alex!

[Peter Florance]

I have a Weller WTCPT and love it.

Can you still get decent tips for it? I had problems with plating years ago.

[Tjabo]

Off-tracking my own thread here, but do you have any pics or a writeup of how you mounted your LS coils on your bimmer head Peter?

[muythaibxr]

I have a Weller WES51 that is pretty good. However I got it before they moved production to Mexico. Supposedly Weller's quality went south when they moved production.

[prof315]

I have a Weller WTCPT and love it.

Can you still get decent tips for it? I had problems with plating years ago.

I bought it used and it came with about 15 tips. I'm on tip number 3 I think after over 8 years of use. Also we have a local electrical surplus house that has NOS Weller tips.

[Tjabo]

Hey guys, I appreciate all of the input, and when all was said and done I ended up with a Hakko FX-888D. I'm only part way through my current MS3 build, but I absolutely love this soldering station like Alex94TAGT indicated he does.

Of course, this is the first time I'm not using a cheap Weller soldering iron, so take it for what it's worth... Haha

[Laminar]

For those of us that are a bit more *cough* budget-minded, I got a Stahl SSVT Soldering Station for $16.

It was my first time ever doing a project of this scale and I'm more than pleased with the results.

[Tjabo]

Whoa, $16 is pretty sweet for that rig!!