Advice on soldering irons - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: scrlk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 07:48:54 am
content: Hi guys,I know this question has been done to death on the forum but I could not find any answers to my question when I searched.I am in the market for a low cost iron, at least below or around £40. If I lived in the States, I would already have bought a Hakko FX-888D but the price in the UK is too high for me to afford.That leaves me with roughly two reputable options as I see for irons: Antex or Ersa.There's been a lot of discussion about Ersa stations but not their standard irons (see:http://www.ersa.com/solder-irons-tips-baths-und-more-en.html); are Ersa irons as well built and easy to swap tips for as their more expensive soldering station models?Antex and Ersa pricing is roughly the same at this end of the market so I could go for either.

author: DonRon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 08:17:44 am
content: Hi!Years ago I used the Ersa Multitip 25. Absolutely satisfied with that - tips are easy to change. BUT it has only 25 watts. It is not easy to solder large connectors or if you have large copper areas. And this iron has no temperature control.So have a look at the Ersa 710CD.http://www.ersa.com/art-0710cd-358-5046.htmlIt has 75 watts and temperature control and should be inside of your budget. And you can have a lot of different tips.I have the 760CD which is very similar but costs more. Really nice iron - enough power and good to have the temp control. Tips are easy to change. So really very satisfied! But I do not use it for the standard electronics stuff - there I use an Ersa solder station.Cheers,Ron

author: Zepnat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 08:22:26 am
content: Ok it's not a soldering station but we have a Antex TCS user here, best 'expensive' tool I've ever bought worth every penny. Temperature controlled makes soldering so easy. I keep a small screwdriver handy if the temperature needs tweaking I was worried at first the control might get damaged with excessive adjustment but most of the time there's no need to. The small form factor is great for going out on a job not having to cart a big box around.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 09:00:33 am
content: The Antex TCS is useful for mobile jobs, but it's over £50 and rather bulky and awkward for bench work.Non-temperature controlled irons aren't great for electronics - even those from reputable companies like Antex and Ersa.If you want better after-sales support than the likes of eBay vendors, you could check out the soldering stations from Circuit Specialists Europe, who are UK-based. I bought a cheap scope from them and they were very helpful when it developed firmware issues.TheirCSI 2901is £43.99, which is just about within your budget.

author: Electronics-Repairman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 09:21:15 am
content: Oh no now you've done it , we'll get another soldering station shoot out , advice Get what you can afford, remember you still have to eat and live.

author: scrlk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 10:58:31 am
content: Quote from: Electronics-Repairman on July 12, 2014, 09:21:15 amIf it makes you feel better any Hakko products are off the table due to the high UK pricing.

author: Electronics-Repairman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 11:21:32 am
content: Quote from: scrlk on July 12, 2014, 10:58:31 amAren't they just, I looked at one a while back, to get the 240v version was a ridiculous price

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 02:24:49 pm
content: antex all the way for meI have had dozens of soldering irons / stations over the yearsfancy weller temp controlled ones to cheap 12v ironsand most things in between and i always go back to antex.a few things i like about themthe handles run coolcan be left on all day and not damage the tipslots of different tips availabletips cheap compared to big makesantex are uk company so i like to support themall parts easily availible for repairthey have several different sized irons for diff jobsmy goto iron is a xs 25 with silicone leadhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003ITY13W/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1i also have 15w and 80w antex (might be 18w not sure lol )I have several tips for the xs 25, most used is 2.3 chisel then 0.5 conicali dont like the fancy plastic antex stand, you have to place your iron in it and when im workingi like to just drop my iron in it and not have to think about it

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 02:26:55 pm
content: You really want temperature control if at all possible.GOOT PX-201(excellent price if it's genuine)Antex TCS230JBC SL2020Ersa 0710CDAnother alternative would be a Chinese station. eBay's an obvious source, but another to consider would beCircuit Specialists Inc.(reputation of standing behind what they sell, and are located in the UK).

author: scrlk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 10:49:54 pm
content: The Goot seems too good to be true? Any experiences from that seller?So I've narrowed down my choices so far:Antex TCS230:+ Cheaper+ UK plug+ Easy to source parts in the UK- Hard to adjust temp- Reports of bad build quality (http://blog.grozak.com/2014/02/26/01-antex-tcs230-review/)- Less powerful at 50WErsa 0710CD:+ More powerful - 75W vs 50W+ Easier to adjust temp+ Build should be excellent- Have to buy from EU supplier- More expensive- Euro plug

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 09:22:28 am
content: Quote from: scrlk on July 12, 2014, 10:49:54 pmIf you go for the Antex, I'd opt for the silicone power cord (optional extra, makes it a lot nicer to use as the cord won't get in the way like PVC does). As per wattage, I wouldn't get too caught up in it, as different irons won't have the same exact thermal transfer ability (50W is plenty for most electronics work). As per the quality issue, I get it, but do keep in mind it's one complaint (just not enough evidence to prove this is always the case). Also keep in mind, that the author indicated it's performance was fine, despite his unit's assembly quality. As always, YMMV.Regarding tips, the number of profiles offered, cost, and availability are very important (i.e. single supplier situations aren't ideal IMHO, should that distributor not have stock when you need it, prices could be higher than average due to a lack of competition, and if they stop carrying that brand or actually go under, sourcing them can really become difficult). So do yourself a favor, and consider these factors carefully as part of your decision making process.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 10:21:38 am
content: I'd say my Antex TCS irons are definitely better finished than the one in that review - perhaps it was a Friday afternoon special?I'm willing to sell the one pictured for £30 - I don't really need two spare irons. It would include large, regular and fine tips and a stand. PM me if you are interested.

author: simpson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 11:33:06 am
content: I have an small Antex iron I bought 30 years ago and it still works fine.

author: makerimages
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 04:34:50 pm
content: Why would you even want to go that high in the price range? I just got myself a really decent soldering station for...... 19€. That'd be around 15 £ for you in the UK. Works a treat

author: Electronics-Repairman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 09:48:15 pm
content: I recently bought and Antex soldering iron, only after my maplins on gave up after 7 years, Antex was the only brand they had in, or I would have bought another Maplins one,