Decent soldering irons...

ahcmetal · Mar 24, 2014

I've been using a cheap RadioShack 15w/30w soldering iron (cat# 64-2055A) and solder sucker (cat# 64-2060B) for the last 4 years for small things like CPS2 battery changes and some resistor/fuse repairs on some tv's I'm using and I'm thinking of getting a new one...

I'll be recapping my MVS board and WG-K7000 monitor soon to try and clear a few problems up and thought it may be a good time to upgrade my equipment as well...

Do you guys have any recommendations on soldering equipment? I'm looking to keep it under $100 if possible...

kuze · Mar 24, 2014

My personal choice: Hakko FX-888

It's sub $100, is easy to get replacement tips for. Has the features you'd expect. I've heard the Chinese clones of this product are pretty decent too and use the same tips, but I haven't used any of the knockoffs.

Xian Xi · Mar 24, 2014

Get something adjustable like a Weller. I currently have a Hakko FX-888D which is the digital one, works great as well. I prefer the tip design of the Hakko over the Wellers. Wellers heat the tip from the outside while the Hakko heats from the core.

HeavyMachineGoob · Mar 24, 2014

I have a Weller WES51 analog soldering iron, it's really nice, I love it. It heats up fast, can do a wide range of temperatures and the iron itself is short which makes work a lot easier than longer irons.

GohanX · Mar 24, 2014

Hakko Hakko Hakko!

Expensive and worth every penny.

everten · Mar 24, 2014

I got the Hakko FX-888D and it has been great. The interface is not that intuitive at first. Make sure you read the manual to learn how to dial in a temperature. I ended up calibrating mine to the wrong temperature by accident and had to do the factory reset. The instructions don't show you how to do the reset, but there is a video showing the steps here. I'm sure my calibration is still off, but I haven't spent the time to recalibrate it.

ahcmetal · Mar 24, 2014

Alright, seems like the field has been narrowed down to the Hakko FX-888D and the Weller WS51. Seems like most of you have the Hakko...though I do like the part about the Weller being shorter and possibly giving me a bit more control... Tough call.

I may just defer to the majority and go with the Hakko...any specific sized iron tips you guys have in your set ups?? I've just been using one size for a few years...often thought a finer pointed one would come in handy though...

Jibbajaba · Mar 24, 2014

HeavyMachineGun said:
I have a Weller WES51 analog soldering iron, it's really nice, I love it. It heats up fast, can do a wide range of temperatures and the iron itself is short which makes work a lot easier than longer irons.

I have the exact same one. No complaints. Never used a Hakko so I can't comment on it.

bustedstr8 · Mar 24, 2014

A 2mm chisel tip should work for almost all your everyday work.

Xian Xi · Mar 24, 2014

The Weller and Hakko have the same size iron but the one thing I like about the Hakko is that the grip itself is isolated.

ahcmetal · Mar 24, 2014

Interesting, I'll go with the Hakko then...and a 2mm chisel tip as well too. Xian, any other particular tip you would recommend along with the 2mm chisel tip??

goombakid · Mar 24, 2014

This is the one I have.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10707

I didn't get it from Sparkfun though. It's pretty much a rebranded Hakko, from what I understand. Going from Rat Shack soldering irons, this was the best one I got so far. It's lighter that what I'm used to, so with tendinitis, I can last longer doing projects than I would with a basic iron. I use my Rat Shack ones for quick jobs, the station I use for bigger projects.

I've used Weller stations in my electronics classes back in the day. Those were great irons also...I miss using those.

mainman · Mar 24, 2014

I would go with a temp control Weller as your primary station and this ni cad powered one for quick jobs.

To reiterate the battery powered iron is not a substitute for a soldering station, it is good for quick jobs where using a station would be over kill or bothersome.

If you want a deluxe setup here is something to consider.

shadowkn55 · Mar 24, 2014

mainman said:
this ni cad powered one for quick jobs.

View attachment 12489

Yes, I've seen similar devices to that one that are also used for quick jobs.

Xian Xi · Mar 25, 2014

ahcmetal said:
Interesting, I'll go with the Hakko then...and a 2mm chisel tip as well too. Xian, any other particular tip you would recommend along with the 2mm chisel tip??

I just use the 2mm chisel tip and a 3mm bevel tip for wave soldering.

Metalslug · Apr 14, 2014

I use a TrakPower TK-950 Soldering Station. My other hobby is RC cars and if this station is good enough for that, its good enough for arcade boards.

DrScience · Apr 16, 2014

El Duque Orina XD said:
Hakko Hakko Hakko!

Expensive and worth every penny.

Agree 100%
I've been using my dads old beat to hell Radio Shack POS for years and just recently bought the Hakko 888D
Should have bought one sooner.

Decent soldering irons...

ahcmetal

Super Spy Agent

kuze

Sultan of Slugs

Xian Xi

JammaNationX,

HeavyMachineGoob

My poontang misses Lenn Yang's wang

GohanX

Horrible Goose

everten

Edo Express Delivery Guy

ahcmetal

Super Spy Agent

Jibbajaba

Ralfredacc's Worst Nightmare

bustedstr8

Trollbox Trade Federation,

Xian Xi

JammaNationX,

ahcmetal

Super Spy Agent

goombakid

Fu'un-Ken Master

mainman

CPS2 Person.,

shadowkn55

Genbu's Turtle Keeper

Xian Xi

JammaNationX,

Metalslug

Cham Cham's Banana,

DrScience

n00b