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Post by steveturner on Mar 8, 2022 8:55:40 GMT -8
Good morning group. My reliable weller SP23 of 25 years gave up..it served me well. My so many choices our there. Two units i like are the Weller WP35 blue unit and the Hakko FX600 Japanese.The USA Hakko FX600 a few bucks more but i dont like the heavy 3 pronged cord/ plug it comes with.Any other choices you think i might consider.I dont need a soldering station.Thanks .Steve
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Mar 8, 2022 9:37:36 GMT -8
The heavy 3 prong cord is probably a safety feature.
I used 20 and later 40 watt Radio Shack irons for years before getting the Weller Station WES51 I now use. I have no current, semi pun intended, suggestions except get as fine a point as possible.
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Post by riogrande on Mar 8, 2022 11:53:14 GMT -8
I'm just using a Weller Pencil soldering iron that works well for my needs. Others may chime in on fancy soldering stations.
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Post by nsc39d8 on Mar 8, 2022 12:11:28 GMT -8
I will say my skills at soldering improved after buying a soldering station. First, with the adjustable temperature you will be able to solder all types of decoders and small objects like LEDs without having to worry about ,eating them. Second you will have the power to solder track work at higher temperatures and reduce the number of cold joints. If I had to buy one today I would more than likely opt for one of the two below. I have been using a Hakko for years now and have had great support even though the unit I have is no longer available there is still support and parts(tips mainly). Last time I called to order tips the lady told me I need to be interested in a replacement part to upgrade my iron to new standards and tips as the next time I called mine would not be supported. I bought the upgrade and spent half the cost of a new station, actually bought two just in case. www.tequipment.net/Weller/WE1010NA/Soldering-Stations/www.tequipment.net/HakkoFX888D-23BY.html?b=y&v=7765I agree on the tip size and would say stay with a small conical tip. Like this one: www.tequipment.net/HakkoT18-B.html?b=y&v=7765Nice thing is most stations allow you to change tips where one piece irons do not. Do not worry about the three prong cord, your iron should be grounded for decoder work anyway. The heavy three prong cord only powers the unit it does not supply the iron itself. The wiring to my iron from the station is smaller than the average pen or #2 pencil. |
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Post by jonklein611 on Mar 8, 2022 13:41:52 GMT -8
The Weller WLC100 is like $40 on Amazon right now. I use it for small electronic stuff.
The Hakkos are nice machines, would recommend.
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Post by riogrande on Mar 8, 2022 14:03:08 GMT -8
My pencil iron and most pencil irons I"ve seen allow you to change tips.
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Post by nomads on Mar 16, 2022 10:03:47 GMT -8
After years struggling with corded irons I changed to a Weller pocket gas iron for the past ten years. That was great, but for the issue of remaining hot when finished with, not good put back in pocket!!
Recently I bought a Ryobi battery powered iron. Fantastic. Rapid heat, controllable heat, solders track easily and is portable to move about the layout. Battery consumption is not high, I use a four amp-hour battery and recharge when necessary which isn’t that frequently. To conserve battery levels I turn the heat down between soldering tasks, then back up again for the next joint, rapid reheat only takes a moment. BTW, I’m an electronics tech so I’m experienced with soldering irons.
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