Looking for a Solder iron, recomendation please.

[DesiPower]

I do not know much about these things, last time I used them was about 15 - 20 years ago when I was in a different country. Here are some details about what I am looking for...

Preferably comes with interchangeable tips.
Preferably comes with a stand.
Looking for something not too expensive, $15 - $20ish...
Do not require too much power, will be working on some kids toys, joining battery terminals, RC toys, desktop PSU VGA/fan connectors and small things like that.
Should not have to wait for a long time for it to get hot... (not more than 20 - 30 secs)

Additionally, I remember when I used it long ago, we had to buy the super soft metal cable thingy that we would used to melt with the solder iron tip... what is it called where can I buy that?

 

[Drako]

Looking for something not too expensive, $15 - $20ish...

You're not going to find anything in that price range with removable tips.

 

[DesiPower]

You're not going to find anything in that price range.

OK, so how much will it cost for what I am looking for? I am not fixed on the price, but that's what I hoped to spend as I wont use it that often... but I really need one and want all the features I mentioned above... can I get something under 50?

 

[Drako]

Something like this, but it's over $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Solderin.../dp/B004M3U0VU

You will want something over 60 watts.

 

[slag]

radio shack has a nice variable temp one.. goes up to 40 watts give or take and has a stand.

I use it and it works great. You'll need solder braid (or a solder sucker), solder, flux, a wet rag, and thats about it. Expect to spend around $50 to $60 for these things.

Mine is an older version of this. Looks like the price has gone up.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3086619

The one I linked will do all pretty well except battery terminals if they are large enough.

 

[God Mode]

A lot of products these days come with a ground plane and almost everything uses lead free solder which is harder to work with. Investing in a nice station with the most power you can get will save you from headaches and bad solder jobs down the road. I'd buy at least a reputable 60 watt station with pointed and spade/beveled tips.

 

[mshan]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=374-100 ?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=372-120 ?

(don't know much about soldering irons; I think I remember someone mentioning those Parts Express ones on internet before).

Others can chime in if these are any good on absolute basis, or at least for the price.

 

[ss284]

I would go with a nice hakko clone:

http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Digi.../dp/B000I30QBW

Its a bit more expensive at $54, but its got digital temperature control, and will outlast most of the cheaper models.

 

[Leros]

Something like this, but it's over $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Solderin.../dp/B004M3U0VU

You will want something over 60 watts.

This is what I would get if I was on a budget and needed a decent soldering iron.

 

[Matthiasa]

Something with adjustable power is nice, such as the one linked to.
Also the tips really matter more than almost anything, and be careful not to damage them.
A damaged tip is almost useless.

Another thing to be careful about is ventilation, you do not want to be breathing lead fumes.
Lead free solder tends to melt at a much higher temperature.

 

[DesiPower]

This is what I would get if I was on a budget and needed a decent soldering iron.

What do you mean, its $80 the most expensive recommendation yet... am I missing something?

 

[Leros]

What do you mean, its $80 the most expensive recommendation yet... am I missing something?

From your requirements, you want a semi-decent soldering iron. $80 is semi-decent.

 

[DesiPower]

what would be the main/significant difference over WLC100 linked above?

 

[CycloWizard]

I have a $900 setup in my lab which has a lot of fancy settings, but they are rarely used and so it ends up being about equivalent to the $20 one I have at home. I picked the cheap one up at Lowes or Home Depot a few years ago. I've used it for plenty of random crap around the house without any problems. Unless you're working on surface mount or have really shaky hands, you probably won't need fine tips for much. My 2 cents.

 

[shortylickens]

Pace PRC 2000.

 

[PottedMeat]

i have an expensive pencil iron that i use for fine work but 99% of the time i use this:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WEL8200...ref=pd_cp_hi_3

it heats up in ~5 seconds and has no problem with large ground planes.

 

[DesiPower]

Pace PRC 2000.

what the hell is that, Amazon didn't return any result

 

[Ichinisan]

Weller is a brand. That's all I know.

 

[shortylickens]

what the hell is that, Amazon didn't return any result

:biggrin:

Its not on Amazon bro.

 

[John P]

Very timely thread. What other gear would I need to do this?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHHrgX_6cs&feature=relmfu

My 2 year old 52" Samsung went down this weekend. Instead of replacing the capacitors I ordered a new board for $88. I just installed an hour ago and it seems to be working fine. I was in a hurry, don't have a decent soldering iron, and have virtually no soldering experience.

Anyway, I was thinking of using some Amazon gift cards and practicing doing this myself on the old board (on some older trashed boards first). What else would ya'll recommend besides a decent soldering iron? Would you just do it like the guy in the video or use a solder wick/vacuum or whatever?

 

[ColdFusion718]

I would go with a Hakko 936. Do not buy it from ebay or anyone from China because it will be fake.

If there's a Fry's near you, go get it in person. They go for $60. It's a workhorse station. The one I bought 10 years ago still works.

I use a Hakko FX-951 now though.

 

[CZroe]

Weller is a brand. That's all I know.

The temp-adjustable one you have is Hakko... from Fry's.

 

[Drako]

what would be the main/significant difference over WLC100 linked above?

75 watts vs 40 watts, and the Hakko is better quality.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Just get a Weller and be done with it once and for all