G+_Brent Blankenship Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 What brand soldering iron should I get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I tried an off-brand from Amazon as my first one. The replacement tips I got didn't fit. Just get yourself a Weller and be done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I really like my trakpower tk-950. Its a re-branded Hakko 936, since they dont sell the 936 anymore (and i wanted analog temp adjustment). If you dont mind going digital, get the Hakko FX888D. Either of those will last you forever, worth the investment for sure. If you want a more entry level solution, sparkfun has a decent soldering iron for $15, its my backup iron. Amazon surely has similar irons. Weller irons are nice, amazon has some of those around ~$50 i believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Travis Hershberger Has a point. Also price the tips (like one prices printer carts) conical tip (just a round pencil point) are basically useless. Get a few chisel tips in different sizes. Hakko, Weller, Metcal are the top brands. Remember its just a hot point. Temp adjustable is nice, but a skilled tech can run a fixed just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Schmarder Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Weller is my favorite. I sold them to my industrial electronic customers for 34 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Mink Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I'd check out EEVBLOG, they have a forum post from 2012 on the same topic, but you can always bump it: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/which-soldering-iron/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 EEVBLOG, he'll spend your cash. :) Was a good few vids though. First 2 Qs, what are you looking to solder? pcbs? Wire/cable to 10 or 8 gauge? And how much wanna spend? One other one I'd like to toss out there is the Weller PSK1 (or something like that) butane models I have two of them (one for soldering other for heat shrink) and LOVE them. Portable, built in igniter, no cord to move around when you lay it down, etc. They get hot! and are adjustable. I have used others; Master Appliance, and another one Neither of those were worth a plug nickle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Mink Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Eddie Foy true, Dave Jones doesn't settle when it comes to electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Justin Levy (Just Socia Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 This is the one I use Vastar® 60W 110V Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron with 5pcs Different Tips and additional Solder Tube for Variously Repaired Usage https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014KBIB3M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_vn0EwbAJJ8WZC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Aaron Kimmins Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Eddie Foy he's got an FX-888D. Says they're great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Garage Geek Guy Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Get a Hakko for $100, you'll be happy. I was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Garage Geek Guy Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 No disrespect meant for Weller, it's just that I bought a Hakko. Used Weller a long time ago in the Air Force and it was good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Scott W Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 I have been using a Weller WP35 and WP25 for many years. My WP35 is at least 20 years old and going strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/Trakpower-TKPR0950-TK950-Soldering-Station/dp/B0051VD82U Only $80, pretty much the same as the fx888 but for less money. Made by Hakko (just re-branded) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jeff Brand Posted December 25, 2015 Share Posted December 25, 2015 I have an X-TRONIC 4000 series that looks a lot like the Trakpower but comes with some extras. It has a temp display LCD, too. I hadn't used it much until the KH250 build but it's been great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brent Blankenship Posted December 25, 2015 Author Share Posted December 25, 2015 Thank you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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