Best soldering iron under ~$50? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 06:07:40 pm
content: I'm looking to replace my 30 years old unregulated 25W iron. I know A-BF GS90D is a very decent regulated iron for the price and it was the go-to iron a couple years back. But perhaps, some new attractive options emerged since then?

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 07:59:15 pm
content: Maybe theBakon 950D?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 09:18:58 pm
content: Another vote for the Bakon 950D (or whatever name used on stations that use the T12 cartridge tips).

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2018, 11:18:33 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on March 24, 2018, 09:18:58 pmI see that one I linked can use the T-13 heater tips (75w).Op should buy a ball of brass wool for cleaning the tips (no water heat shocking the plating off).

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 12:30:20 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestion, and for the tip on using brass wool instead of watered sponge. Won't the wool mechanically scratch off the plating of the tip?The only thing I don't like about Bakon 950D is the box that one has to drag around if one does not have a stationary workbench for soldering (I don't).What about TS100, ever heard of it? Looks appealing (if a bit pricey), just found out about it yesterday:https://youtu.be/t621xQc-xEQAs for BK950, there's one with the T13 tip for $30, and withT12 for $55. They say "stick with the T12 tip", but I didn't find any explanation of the actual difference, and why one should pay almost twice as much for T12 vs T13. Any thoughts?

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 01:17:38 pm
content: Brass is soft seeongoing thread. You still have to carry an adapter with the TS-100, so consider the box like a power adapter with some quick temp buttons to occasionally press. My main stay has been Weller SP and TC202 ($4 PT tips) for decades. An ADS200 will arrive soon to "show me the light" on top-level equipment. I'll post pictures here on the forum when it arrives.

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 01:47:11 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on March 25, 2018, 01:17:38 pmYeah, I get that. For me personally, the advantage of TS100 is that I can plug into my bench supply that I already have sitting there occupying space. Another advantage is that if your 950D soldering station fails you can no longer use the iron, while TS100 can be powered with pretty much anything. But the price difference is not insignificant.

author: Canis Dirus Leidy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 03:19:06 pm
content: Quote from: AudioNoob on March 25, 2018, 12:30:20 pm"Theauthorsdevelopers wish you luck in the quest for their non-standarddicetips".(c)RPG rulebooks warning signs

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 04:30:00 pm
content: I've been using one of these and it's not bad for $20.It uses replaceable steel tips which is nice because they last longer.- Brand: Gaojie- Power: 60W- Voltage: 120V- Solder iron: NO.907- Temperature: 200-450°C adjustable constant temperature solder iron

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 05:20:43 pm
content: Quote from: Canis Dirus Leidy on March 25, 2018, 03:19:06 pmHm. Buying a tip for TS100 is no problem, but it's $9 versus $4-5 for Bakon 950D.Kinda leaning towards 950D, a heater-in-the-tip iron for $30 is very appealing despite the box which I don't like.

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 05:33:54 pm
content: So what's the difference between T12 and T13 tips? Should I care enough to get T12? Why is it better?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 05:47:01 pm
content: Quote from: Canis Dirus Leidy on March 25, 2018, 03:19:06 pm

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 05:52:59 pm
content: Quote from: AudioNoob on March 25, 2018, 05:33:54 pmIt's likely "bigger is better" marketing.. There's little buyer dedication or manufacturer commitment to quality at this $ point, just keep reading and asking questions. Are you using the forum search? If so, you have sufficient reason to toss $40 on something.

author: AudioNoob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 06:29:09 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on March 25, 2018, 05:52:59 pmI've used Google search, and didn't find any info on T12 vs. T13 other than that T13 is superseded by T17, whatever that means.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 25, 2018, 09:26:03 pm
content: You'll be happier reading at EEVblog (not all over the web..)Copy this textT-12 tips solder, click the Home button and paste it at the top right-side search-box and you'll have enough pro's and con's data to help with your decision.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 10:37:12 pm
content: FWIW, I stand corrected cleaning tips. Pace has dropped some tips on the forum and one is to use proper sponges (specifically, without sulfur content and lightly dampened with distilled water if possible). The other tips are informative:Quote from: PACE-Worldwide on March 26, 2018, 07:16:09 pm