Affordable soldering station for kid? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 03:22:22 pm
content: Can anyone advise me what would be a good, safe yet affordable soldering station for a beginner of 12 years old? She will be soldering under supervision, but I'd like the station to be properly safe in spite of lower cost. Use: single/dual layer, mostly through hole to begin with.Please note, I'm in the EU, Hakko isexpensivehere

author: dimkasta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 03:51:59 pm
content: I have had excellent experience with ErsaThe Pico is a bit over 100 eurosThe digital 40W Weller is around the same price. Haven't used it myself, but I guess you cannot go that wrong with Weller.Everything else I used that is cheaper is also Chinese so ...

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 05:57:33 pm
content: I thought about the Pico. A bit more than I want to spend, but mainly the rather mixed reviews on sites like Amazon.de are what make me look to other options. The Weller I have no experience with, but I have read the red Wellers were not recommended.Is there any Chinese brand or type you have experience with and can recommend? I saw Dave's 'recommendation' (in his video on a low cost lab) of the Yihua, but looking at the insides make me wonder about safety and if it is safe for a kid.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 06:06:01 pm
content: I'd say get the cheap Ternma Farnell sells :http://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-eu/soldering-station-60w-220v-eu/dp/2062627Here's the Belgium version of their website (with Dutch text and with prices in Euro , and note may not include VAT) :http://be.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-eu/soldering-station-60w-220v-eu/dp/2062627Tenma is Farnell's brand, the station is a rebranded Atten 980D which is in turn a "digital" hakko 936 clone like the Yihua Dave reviewed and like all the clones from Atten and Yihua. The tips are like the Hakko , the handpiece is like it (connector may be slightly different) etc etcBut you get 1 year warranty from Farnell, better than buying a clone from eBay where you'd have to send the station back to China if there's problems or just take the loss.You can find tips and handpieces on eBay cheaper than you find on Farnell's website.A handpiece with cable and tip is something like 10-15$, not expensive at all (just be careful to get the one with 5 pin female connector like your station needs)

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 07:09:31 pm
content: Quote from: Kuro on March 14, 2017, 05:57:33 pmDunno if you can call 4.4 stars out of 5 on amazon.de and 4.7 on amazon UK a "mixed reviews". There are no better options at this price. Next better is i-con nano at much higher price. All of what is cheaper including that tenma suggested is much much worse.

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 08:36:25 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 14, 2017, 07:09:31 pmI read about a few DOAs that showed not so good assembly quality, and a handle that gets pretty hot (since it does not have a sleep mode, small wonder).If I want to go below the 107 EUR of the pico, is there any alternative you could recommend? Or is it all crap in EU? Folks in the US have it easy, with the Hakko FX888D costing well below 100.

author: dimkasta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 09:05:57 pm
content: I have had the ERSA RDS 80 for many years. No problems with it apart from the fact that the DIN socket is plastic and not locking. It is a bit loose after so much use.I do not know the quality on the lower models, but I have had a good experience with the brand. Tips are about 20 euros here in Greece.If you go for something Chinese, I would suggest that you buy it locally and from a respectable store. This way you can be sure that you have a valid CE certification. And you can double check the grounding just to be sure. And of course, make sure that you test your RCD regularly.I bought the ZD-917 this way a few months back and couldn't be happier. I pretty much haven't used my ERSA since. The tips are dirt cheap and seem very durable with proper cleaning and maintenance (I tend to be a bit overprotective with them anyway)The Yihua and Rhino devices that Dave reviewed are from the same family, just newer models.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 09:48:03 pm
content: Quote from: Kuro on March 14, 2017, 08:36:25 pmSo what, a few people out of bunch wrote about DOA? That is generally what you get with any product, on top of that people report bad experience more often than good. FX888D is completely inferior compared with i-con pico, frankly. Pico has sleep mode, although not as good as in higher end i-con stations which have accelerometer in the handle.Quote from: dimkasta on March 14, 2017, 09:05:57 pmDunno where you find ERSA tips for EUR 20, they cost < EUR 10 for popular types. RDS-80 is completely outdated low end model and not even close to i-con series.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2017, 09:51:37 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 14, 2017, 09:11:02 pmI have TS100, it's a great portable soldering iron to use occasionally, but I would not recommend it for general use. Main problems are that grip is completely uncomfortable, and high distance from tip to grip.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 05:38:29 am
content: If you want a reliable and safe soldering station ERSA Pico is a good option for that. If you want extra, ESD protection, grounded tip, etc, look also to Nano.Another good option (is not a soldering station but a very good soldering iron for the intended target) is a Antex XS25.

author: dimkasta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 08:58:30 am
content: Quote from: TJ232 on March 15, 2017, 05:38:29 amThis is the iron I bought for my RC track days where I did not want to carry the station.Very nice quality, but it has a very stiff and heavy cable and you can very easily knock it off without a very sturdy base that properly secures the hot part.Oh, and it's rather weak. If there is a ground plane or something with extra mass it takes forever to heat it to a proper temperature.I actually have the 15W as well, which is even more awkward to use with the huge thick cable.What might be interesting from a safety point of view, is the one they have which can be powered by a 12V DC supply or battery. If of course you do not mind a plain soldering iron for your applications. It could be useful to you as well.http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/precision-range-soldering-irons/mlxs/

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 09:58:23 am
content: Any 936 clone would probably be fine, just check the grounding of the tip.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 10:53:16 am
content: Quote from: Kuro on March 14, 2017, 03:22:22 pmThere is no such thing as a safe soldering station: one end is pointed and hotIf there is a chance that a youngster will try something and then lose interest, buying something very cheap is a good idea. In addition, it would probably be sufficient for a beginner's jobs, and you will learn what you reallyneed(not want!).For decades I used a simple 25W Antex iron; it will do most things. However, for small pitch components and when removing big components, you will benefit from different size tips. Consider something likehttp://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-50w-mains-solder-station-n78arplus a range of tips. I do not consider them to be particularly reliable.A very good set of videos ishttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837They are old, made when videos were expensive => short and carefully made.

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 12:05:00 pm
content: About the Maplin iron.... quoted from their site: "This soldering iron is simple to assemble. After assembly, all you need is some solder and then you can get to work. Once plugged in,it takes only ten minutes to warm upto the selected temperature."I think if I want to discourage her, this will be it.Thanks all for your input. I had a look at the more decent Chinese things like the Aoyue's, but the price difference to the Pico is negligable. So the Pico it is. Hope it arrives in working order

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 12:15:54 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 15, 2017, 10:53:16 amYep, you can get burns. Hover it is not easy to get burned by by ersa i-tool (pico). Exposed hot part is very short. Maybe I got one - two very small burns in the last 8 years I own I-CON 2 station, and I solder a lot. Much easier to get burns by hakko 888/936/clones. And even easier with unregulated soldering irons. Also, a very good idea would be to get some ESD or some sort of similar gloves for your kid, if you can find small enough size. They will protect hands from accidental burns quiet well.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 12:18:46 pm
content: Quote from: Kuro on March 15, 2017, 12:05:00 pmAoyue is not decent. It's a crap, and IMO, often worse than atten.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 12:59:22 pm
content: For the Antex XS25 you have also the silicone cable option, might worth 2 Pounds more:http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/precision-range-soldering-irons/xs25/ERSA I-Con Pico looks to be available under some promotional price, 119.95 with 19% VAT included. Good deal if you are outside EU, as will be invoiced without VAT! Or for a VAT registered EU company:https://www.ersa-shop.de/index.php?cat=c721_01-i-CON-PICO-01-i-con-pico.html

author: dimkasta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 01:43:48 pm
content: The pico is 117 euros on Amazon.deAnd yes go for the silicon Antex if you can. I bought mine locally and did not even know there was an option back then. It might be worth moding it if you are stuck with it.

author: bji900
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 01:53:55 pm
content: I would recommend a TS100 from Amazon or similar site. It requires a small power supply in addition but it can make a cool project for the child. You could even make it portable and they could take it with them because it runs on 24VDC and a simple battery could be made quite easily.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 01:58:06 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 15, 2017, 12:15:54 pmGetting burned by a soldering iron is a right of passageIt is unlikely to be a serious burn, so I wouldn't worrytoomuch!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 03:05:16 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 15, 2017, 01:58:06 pmIt can be pretty bad. I think the worst was like 6-7 cm x 1 cm burn. IIRC I took hot unregulated firestick while thinking it was disconnected from mains. Pretty bad experience, after that I never take soldering irons by anything but handle.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 04:51:10 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 15, 2017, 03:05:16 pmOh, unpleasant, yes; I've had similar in the dim and distant past. But I think it is unlikely (not impossible) to be a deep burn.Yes, warn kids (and adults) about it, just as you would about any other normal hazard in life. Presuming the kid is basically responsible, I don't see any reason to be worried about themselves on a soldering iron.

author: RayRay
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2017, 05:05:28 pm
content: I can't believe no one mentioned the Bakon 950D yet!It's as affordable as can be, and will get the job done very well also.It's currently on sale for $20 on gearbest:http://www.gearbest.com/soldering-supplies/pp_363024.html?wid=21And spare/other tips can be purchased from banggood:http://www.banggood.com/search/t12.html

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 10:03:32 am
content: Why not a simple ERSA 30S ?https://www.amazon.fr/Fer-souder-30S-30W-ERSA/dp/B0009QX1MY

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 10:47:36 am
content: Quote from: oldway on March 16, 2017, 10:03:32 amBecause it is unregulated firestick which is not a competition for soldering station?

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 12:45:38 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 16, 2017, 10:47:36 amFor non profissional use, you don't need a temperature controlled soldering iron.For field soldering, I use an ersa 30S and a gas Weller Pyropen piezo, both are non regulated soldering irons....

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 01:22:39 pm
content: Quote from: oldway on March 16, 2017, 12:45:38 pmRequired? No. Makes things much easier and pleasant to do? YesOn top of that 30W unregulated iron is not suitable to solder any multiplayer board. Say, you want to recap motherboard, no luck with that.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 01:43:53 pm
content: Quote from: oldway on March 16, 2017, 10:03:32 amI am a heavy user of ERSA soldering station for more than 25 years but in this case I must admit that the Antex XS25 is kicking ass big time.

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 04:30:46 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 16, 2017, 01:22:39 pmA kid soldering multilayer boards ? You are kidding, I hope ?Even a multilayer I am soldering with my ersa 30S....at least, you learn not to have two left hands...

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 02:33:28 am
content: Temperature controlled soldering stations are cheap now, and better in every way; I think there's really not much of a market for unregulated mains irons anymore. They are heavier, have a huge tip-grip distance, and a large diameter, and would be even harder for a kid to handle....unless you're advocating for learning to solder the "old school" way, in which case I ask, "why not start with an indirectly heatedreal soldering iron"?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 09:02:48 am
content: Quote from: amyk on March 17, 2017, 02:33:28 amYou mean likehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/hp545-repair-desoldering-the-nvram/msg1157280/#msg1157280Sometimes the old waysarevery effective

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 09:26:01 am
content: Quote from: oldway on March 16, 2017, 04:30:46 pmWhy not? After a little practice they will probably be very good at it.Don't unnecessarily limit young people with your preconceptions. For example thisthisis a 10yo doing something you probably wouldn't believe, andhere'sa 14yo doing more on his own preparing for a competition with adults.

author: screwbreaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 09:32:43 am
content: Quote from: amyk on March 17, 2017, 02:33:28 amIt's not completely true. My first soldering iron was a JBC 14s, I still have it and still use it from time to time. It's light and compact, more easy to carry than a soldering station. It's only 14W but it has a lot of tip and can be used for most basic work in electronic. It's not really cheap, the iron itself is not too much expensive, if you got the original stand it cost like a hakko fx-888d, with a generic stand is affordable.I think there are more other unregulated iron from other well known brand and they can be more cheap and maybe more easy to find in local stores or internet.I think that for educational purpose even the most cheap station on ebay can be used. It's different if it must be the first tool, something who last for years, and can be looked with nostalgia one day. In this case don't hesitate to spend a little bit more, in my opinion.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 12:40:21 pm
content: Quote from: Kuro on March 14, 2017, 03:22:22 pmI have the Velleman LAB1U Three In One Lab Unit that has a DMM, a PSU and temperature controlled soldering iron and they are sold for around $100. Good starter kit for kids, since it has also the PSU and meter.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 02:48:22 pm
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on March 17, 2017, 12:40:21 pmShitty $2 multimeter, shitty PSU and shitty soldering iron. Not a good deal at all. On top of that why would you want reduced mobility multimeter in the first place. You cannot even place it in a proper place where you would normally put bench multimeter.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 03:05:22 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on March 17, 2017, 02:48:22 pmWell, glad you asked. The OP said he was looking for a soldering iron for a child. I wouldn't use this professionally, however, I do use the soldering iron quite regularly and it does a nice job. The meter is good to learn with and would be a good hedge against a child accidentally destroying a good meter. The power supply does work and again, if destroyed by a child, nothing really lost.

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 03:13:50 pm
content: A lot of volunteers in the repair café are using an 8 euros soldering iron and are doing all kind of repairs you can imagine....From electric appliance to mother boards.....This one:https://www.dealabs.com/bons-plans/kit-fer--souder-pour-des-soudures-de-prcisison/217414If you only want a soldering station, look for an used Weller TCP-S magnastat....

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 04:29:23 pm
content: Quote from: oldway on March 17, 2017, 03:13:50 pmI'll second that. My iron is a 40yr old Weller W-TCP-L.Old enough that the main body is Bakelite, and it works like a champ. You often see stuff like this on craigslist.