title_body: Please recommend a soldering iron for hobby use I'm frustrated with cheap irons that take ages to heat up, don't hold a consistent temperature, only have one size of tip and break after a year or so.
  What sort of thing should I buy that can handle small wires on a flight controller and larger power connectors?
  I think I want something with some sort of active temperature control so it heats up quickly and holds its temperature accurately, but does that mean I need one with a digital temperature setting and a bulky box? I'd rather it wasn't too large, if possible.
  I only use it occasionally so I don't need industrial quality, but I would like it to last years.
upvoted_answer: Experience: I worked for HP R&amp;D for 31 years soldering and building boards as an Electronic Engineering Technician.
  First you need to decide if you are working on surface mount parts or through hole wire boards. The irons for each are completely different.
  I always used WELLER soldering irons.
  I used two irons, one was micro tip for very small parts and a standard iron for large parts and wiring.
  The temp control is in the tip. It is magnetic and controls a switch in the tip holder.
  You can buy tips from 600 to 800 degrees.
  The standard temp is ~700 degrees. There are any tricks to use in soldering. the most useful trick is to use DISTILLED Water in the tip cleaner sponge. If you use tap water it leaves calcium on the tip and the tip won't wet properly.
  Get D'water @ target for $1/gal and always use it for the sponge. I used a siphon bottle for the sponge.
  Use the largest tip to do the job. It holds more heat and will speed the soldering process. I did lots of work with an 800 degree very fat tip, especially on IC's. It heats and solders quickly and very locally so you don't damage the board or parts. Do not cool the joint with water, it crystalizes the joint.
  It takes lots of practice to learn to solder properly.
  There are videos on proper soldering technique.
  If you learn and practice you will move to larger tips and hotter tips but start with medium size 700 degree Weller.
  READ: https://www.weller-tools.com/what-type-of-soldering-iron-do-i-need/