Soldering Iron Recommendations

[talbany]

After using the Weller's for so many years finally looking elsewhere...Any recommendations there...Thanks in advance..

Tony

[Aurora]

Depending on the bucks.... Metcal is very good. I use both the Metcal and the new 80W WSD series from Weller....very pleased with it. I've always been a Weller fan - what's wrong?

[talbany]

Depending on the bucks.... Metcal is very good. I use both the Metcal and the new 80W WSD series from Weller....very pleased with it. I've always been a Weller fan - what's wrong?

Weller's are great irons don't get me wrong..I find myself tweaking the temp control quite a bit on them...It seems to not hold that perfect temp of flowing freely but not burning and splattering the flux... Iv'e tried different solders and there is a difference there...A fresh iron does help but after several weeks it's back to twisting the temp control..I've come to deal with it but wondering if anyone has tried something that holds the temp better for longer periods of time.Metcal's look good.Thanks Again..

Tony

[glasman]

I have used an old Weller WTCPT for years, control the temp with the tip. Use it everyday and tips are cheap.

I bought a couple of Haiko (SP) clones from Circuit Specialists (www.circuitspecialists.com) and for the price (~50.00) they are very nice, variable temperature, wide tip choice and seem to hold up well. When the weller gives up the ghost (over 10years old) I will switch to the CS clones and buy them by the gross .

Gary

[Aurora]

At work I have a twin 80W Weller , - I think it's called WSD130. I find that the extra power from a temp controlled 80W iron is really good. You mention trying different solders.. I've come to the conclusion that I just HATE most of the new solder mixes for hand soldering...works OK, though, in our reflow oven, given the appropriate flux. Fortuntely I have enough 60/40 to last well beyond my lifetime....
There's a few tricks I've adopted during the last years, though. Weller have a special tip cleaner, in small cans, which is almost invaluable, together with a wet sponge of course. Another gadget is these new flux pens, disguised as flet tip markers.. comes in various types, and really solves tricky circuit boards, as it makes a very nice and even flowout.

[talbany]

Thanks Gary will look into that..I've been using the Wonder solder here lately and notice a bit of a difference there as well..Could be ROHAS creaping into the solder market is changing how this performs/ flows as well and the consistency as you go through the roll..I have noticed a change in how solder is manufactured in general here in the past couple years...I should keep 2 irons 1 for the general purpose repairs and 1 for the more articulate builds.

Tony

[selloutrr]

HAKKO

http://www.hakkousa.com/products.asp

[Aurora]

Hm- Googled that "Wonder Solder"... off hand it seems like one of those scams claiming "better sound" from the solder! - There's been several of those BS things in the market - I've been a HiFi buff for over 30 years, but these types of stuff are the ones I automatically classify as pure marketing BS! OTOH - I don't know Wonder Solder at all, so I might fall victim of prejudice here! It may just simply be a good solder - without any sonic impact, though

Have you tried going back to good old fashion solder, at least for the test?

[Structo]

I use this one and have melted about 1 1/2 pounds of solder with it.

Many tips available.
Heats up quick, recovers fast and works very well.

I like the separate iron stand and the metal Brillo pad type cleaner works very well indeed.
Best $50 I have ever spent.

[img:300:239]http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytron ... allWeb.jpg[/img]

http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/379.html

45 watts adjustable.

If you don't like that one Howards has a bunch more professional ones for more money.

HINT: If you want to order extra tips do so at time of purchase to save on shipping costs.

I use Kester "No Clean" 63/37 eutectic solder in .031" dia.
It's the best I have used, flows great solidifies fast and leaves the shiniest, smoothest joints I have ever gotten.
The "No Clean" means it doesn't leave behind that nasty brown flux deposits. If you solder many times in the same place it will start to leave some deposits but not brown and it cleans right up with alcohol.

[David Root]

I use two Weller WSE51s with different tips, and +1 on the 63/37 eutectic solder in .031 dia..

[talbany]

Hm- Googled that "Wonder Solder"... off hand it seems like one of those scams claiming "better sound" from the solder! - There's been several of those BS things in the market - I've been a HiFi buff for over 30 years, but these types of stuff are the ones I automatically classify as pure marketing BS! :lol: OTOH - I don't know Wonder Solder at all, so I might fall victim of prejudice here! It may just simply be a good solder - without any sonic impact, though :D

Have you tried going back to good old fashion solder, at least for the test?

Yeah! I don't buy into that type of hype either..It does seem to perform better than the Kester 60/40 I've been getting from Mouser.. Is it worth it?
Debate-able..It was recommended here a while back so thought I would give it a shot..Anybody has a preference bring it on still researching...Thanks again

[ampdork]

I'd really recommend staying with Weller unless there is something actually better.

I like the Hakos as well. Really hard to beat for the price but I have killed one before after maybe 4 years.
It is hard to say for sure as well but it seems to me the tips do not last nearly as long as the weller.

[Structo]

The wonder solder seems very expensive for what it is.

It is basically a eutectic solder but it's hard to pin down exactly what alloys are used and at what ratio.

[selloutrr]

If the problem is longevity.

Stick with the weller it's a trusted name and the customer service is solid.

It's sad but we live in a dispossable economy now things are not made to last forever... Like the good old days. The materials are less pure and the build quality is slipping. It's business practice in large. It just comes down to price point and features but the more you use it the quicker it's going to break.

I would be surprised to see any car made in the last 6 years still on the road in 40.

I found out after buying a top of the line washer and dryer they will probably last ten years if Im lucky... I think the one my grandparents had when I was little still works.

[dogears]

What I use!

HAKKO

http://www.hakkousa.com/products.asp