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wallace123456
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Northwest VA area
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject: What type soldering iron to buy? |
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Well, my old low wattage iron crapped out on me. It never was really very good for board type work anyways. I have an old American Beauty 110watt iron that I used back in the old days of telecommunications. But that don't work too well on board stuff.
Looking for some recommendations for soldering iron stations. I am looking at the weller wesd51.
Any other thoughts?
wallace
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Well I do all my very intrinsic and micro soldering with Radio Shack specials, LOL. 1 low watt (dont remember the wattage) and a 40 watt for heavier stuff and same for my desoldering device. All replacement tips can then be also purchased from Radio Shack.
A 500 dollar soldering station would not make you a better solderer...... 
But if you like them then I guess whatever one seems to suit you best. Availability and price of replacement tips would be very important.
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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beun
Joined: 28 Jun 2006
Posts: 676
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Curt Palme
CRT Tech
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 24396
Location: Langley, BC
TV/Projector: All of them!
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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My main bench iron for years has been a Weller WTCPS station. I have two of them, one on each (functional) bench, but the shop is set up for 5 benches. Problem is, CRT parts and tubes are on most of them. 
I will add a Metcal station and desolderer, I've been hooked since I've been at Marc's (Tinman's) place.
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tse
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 1014
Location: Sweatbucket, Fl.
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Elaine Benes
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 1416
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Nashou66: If the quality of those tools are as good as they look, I think those prices are REALLY good, what a great find...
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Scott and paul, i love my Aoyue!! the irons are not a strong as Id like but for the money they work great!!!! And the hot air station is awesome for removing SMD chips and using it to heat shrink tubing. And the vacum is great to suck up fumes.
Just got done using it to fixe the CCM boards on the long bows, I figured it out scott  Try it on the ones at VDC.
nashou
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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Location: West Seneca NY
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wallace123456
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Northwest VA area
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| Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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By the amount of good reviews this got, I have to try it at least for desoldering.
Looks to be a good buy.
wallace
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wallace123456
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Northwest VA area
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:19 am Post subject: |
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It just doesn't seem like 15 watts is enough to desolder or solder. Does it take you very long to get the materials where solder will flow?
You must have steady hands. 
wallace
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Axatax
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 403
TV/Projector: Sony VPH-G70Q (aka Barco Cine8 Onyx)
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:28 am Post subject: |
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I have an older Weller station with soldering iron/hot air/vacuum. IMHO, I'd rather have the desoldering suction and a Rat Shack iron than a fancy single-function iron. Desoldering is were most of the destruction occurs.
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:39 am Post subject: |
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| wallace123456 wrote: |
It just doesn't seem like 15 watts is enough to desolder or solder. Does it take you very long to get the materials where solder will flow?
You must have steady hands.
wallace |
Alright, I have to edit my post. I wasn't sure what wattage my main iron was so I just checked and its a 30 watt. So thats what I mainly use. When I posted that 15 watt one above I was going by appearance only. My mistake. I also have a 40 watt for areas with a heavy trace or heat sink. The desoldering iron is a 45 watt. I think I have the same one Athan posted.
And yes, so far even at my age my hand is rock steady....... Its my eyes that are getting worse. I have to carry my headpiece magnifier with me for almost everything now. My next investment is going to be a PC microscope.
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:53 am Post subject: |
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Here's the 40 watt I have:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062738
They are actually both very light and well balanced which helps for a steady hand.
And believe me as far as lasting ability, I cant even remember how long ago I bought my main iron but I know its at least 6 or 8 years. And there are very few on here that use their iron more then I do.....
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stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| macgyver655 wrote: | Here's the 40 watt I have:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062738
They are actually both very light and well balanced which helps for a steady hand.
And believe me as far as lasting ability, I cant even remember how long ago I bought my main iron but I know its at least 6 or 8 years. And there are very few on here that use their iron more then I do..... |
The Rat Shack irons work well but the chords are too stiff
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| stefuel wrote: | | macgyver655 wrote: | Here's the 40 watt I have:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062738
They are actually both very light and well balanced which helps for a steady hand.
And believe me as far as lasting ability, I cant even remember how long ago I bought my main iron but I know its at least 6 or 8 years. And there are very few on here that use their iron more then I do..... |
The Rat Shack irons work well but the chords are too stiff |
Really? You think so?
Mine have just regular lamp cord and seem very flexible. Like speaker wire.
Maybe its that cold chill up there in winter wonder land.....
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stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:36 am Post subject: |
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I have two, a ratshack and a pro one The pro one has a cord like a thick bootlace (like a limp noodle) and it's as if there's nothing attached to the iron and if you put it down, it stays where you put it. The RS cord is like a spring and if you have to put it down, it develops a mind of it's own. The RS works well but I really hate the cord.
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paw
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
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CRT_Ben
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
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Location: Northern Virginia
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steped on it !!!
