Soldering Iron Recommendations

[ToneMerc]

I love the Antex, I use the M12 & C15 irons and Cardas Quad 340 degree .032 dia. solder.

http://www.antex.co.uk/prodtype.asp?str ... Position=1

[David Root]

I think it contains a fair amount of silver. I did see a while ago, and I can't recall where, some decent reviews of it by professional users, mostly HiFi types IIRC. So it probably isn't all hype. Whether it's worth the asking price compared to 63/37 eutectic, maybe for hi-fi, maybe not for MI amps.

[ToneMerc]

I think it contains a fair amount of silver. I did see a while ago, and I can't recall where, some decent reviews of it by professional users, mostly HiFi types IIRC. So it probably isn't all hype. Whether it's worth the asking price compared to 63/37 eutectic, maybe for hi-fi, maybe not for MI amps.

It all depends on which you choose, theres 6 types of Wonder Solder IIRC and the one folks seem to really rave about the most I believe is the one with almost 6% Silver.

[Structo]

Those Antex Soldering Station - 660-TC look real nice but a little steep for the hobbyist. $328

I have referred over 10 of my forum friends to the Xytronic 379 station I mentioned on the previous page and everybody loves it.
Hard to pass up for $50.

It has these tips that fit it.

[img:504:306]http://www.xytronic.com/img/379-1.gif[/img]

[talbany]

Thanks everyone for their recommendations..It certainly helps to narrow it down..Build on


Tony

[BobW]

I use a PACE solder/desolder station and Kester 63/37 solder. The only solder I'll use.

[wjdunham]

I'm a little late to the party here, but every high-tech company I've worked for has the Metcal products in the lab, they get a LOT of use here and are on almost all day. They are expensive new, but eBay is loaded with options. I bought one a year ago and never looked back. I have a couple of inserts, so far I'm still using the first one I opened. The only thing missing from my model is the automatic shutoff that some of the newer ones have. Just my $.02
Bill

[Structo]

Yeah those are nice but steep.

I just found this one on Ebay.
Not familiar with the brand but it looks pretty good for $90.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soldering-Station-d ... 5636bbc801

Is the Hakko 936 station any good?
$70

http://cgi.ebay.com/HAKKO-936-ESD-SAFE- ... 414ca11638

[mlp-mx6]

I'll echo Structo's support for Xytronic. I have a Xytronic 168 and I really like it. Built 4 amps so far with the same tip, and you can hardly tell it has been used.

[selloutrr]

structo

they aren't bad, I paid $100 for my 936. for being a cheap iron they get the job done nicely. It was my main iron for a good 4+ years. I would say they are the best hobby iron you can buy without spending $$ and stepping to a professional level. with that said. I've used it for more then a 100+ projects and never been let down. Even with a weller I still reach for it from time to time. I would probably still be happily using it had my brother in law not purchased a top of the line digital weller soldering station for a nintendo wii modification and after completion just given me his iron.

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/C ... 7103215185

[Structo]

Nice!

[selloutrr]

Forgot to mention tips for the 936 are cheap! Unlike the weller last I checked were around 75 or 100 each.

[dartanion]

What I use!

HAKKO

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

The 936 is what I use and love it. They are $75 at Frys, and well worth it. 60W, tons of tips, various interchangeable irons, heats up really fast, etc.

[Normster]

Hakko 936 here as well. Going on 4 years without a wimper.

[dartanion]

Hakko 936 here as well. Going on 4 years without a wimper.

The only issue I have had with mine was caused by one of my cats. The cats decided the cord to the iron was a toy and grabbed it hard enough to knock it onto the floor, which made a loud bang that I heard across the house. I used it after and it wasn't heating right. The ceramic heating element had broken into 4 pieces. Damn cats

Luckily Frys had replacement irons, but unfortunately not just the element. I was tempted just to buy another 936 as the replacement iron is $40 and a new one is $75. I'll just order the element from Hakko directly.