What soldering iron is best choice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 10:25:42 am
content: Hello...I'm looking to buy a basic soldering iron. I have 2 models in sight... I want some help to decide myselfOption 1http://www.kurtzersa.com/electronics-production-equipment/soldering-tools-accessories/ersa-soldering-irons-sets/micro-soldering-irons/produkt-details/0920bd-1.htmlOption 2http://www.jbctools.com/3302040-30st-soldering-iron-product-468-category-8-menu-1.htmlWhich one would you guys recommend???Princing Option 1http://mauser.pt/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=115_318_476&products_id=72313Princing Option 2http://mauser.pt/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=115_318_476&products_id=50918

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 10:39:08 am
content: Basic soldering iron, for common jobs like soldering wires, connectors, through hole components? 25 W power would be to low for such a job, in my opinion. But with all soldering iron/station I would say, buy the one that has the tip selection that you might need.If your looking for a desk setup solution, I would advise for a soldering station.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 11:16:18 am
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 10:39:08 amI was not interested in a station because they are very expensive and I already have a support for the iron! That's why I chose those 2 options. Will 25W be low power for home basic projects?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 11:18:24 am
content: I'd go for the Ersa RDS80 (80W) soldering station. 25W is not enough for generic soldering jobs. The big pus of Ersa is that the tips last very long and wet very well (much better than JBC).

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 11:36:59 am
content: I would sugest to find second hand soldering station. Day from night difference using soldering station.I use ersa I-CON nano my self. Love using it.

author: setq
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 12:43:15 pm
content: If you're in EU (Portugal) look out for Antex XS25 with a silicone cable. 25W is fine for nearly everything. Mostly I use a 15W Antex iron and that's plenty good enough for most tasks. Don't buy a soldering station if you can't afford a decent one i.e. Hakko/Weller/Metcal. The cheap ones are all crap. Antex ones do the job, last for years (25 years isn't uncommon!!!), the tips are good quality, they hold heat well, are well made and won't kill you like chinese crap.http://www.antex.com.pt/#/produtos

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 12:53:35 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 11:36:59 amWhy is that day from night difference?

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 01:08:06 pm
content: Quote from: psysc0rpi0n on October 13, 2016, 12:53:35 pmEven if you don't need good temp. control, soldering station will have smaller pens and it's much more comfortable to work with them. Shorter distance to tip is easier to control and gives less strain. Smaller wires (buy one that have silicon wires) are easier to work with then the AC input ones. Better tip selection for stations, and I strongly think that there is no such a thing as one tip to rule them all.I used to buy whatever I thought I needed for the moment, but all that crap is long gone because needs change and It's worth to invest in future.

author: CraigHB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 01:08:19 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 11:36:59 amAgreed. Several reasons why a soldering station is better. Firstly the temperature is adjustable. For jobs like wire to wire connections a simple 25W pencil can work fine, but when you start dealing with PCBs you simply must have the ability to control temperature. Another reason is stations use higher quality tips. Often tips that come with basic pencils are poorly plated. A good tip with a quality plating job makes a big difference.If money is a concern, HobbyKing sells a soldering station for the same cost as a 25W pencil from most suppliers. They have an EU warehouse among others which should provide inexpensive shpping for Europe.Here's a link. That station is a Hakko knockoff so it can take the high quality Hakko tips. Dave actually reviewed that one;link.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 02:06:33 pm
content: Ok, I might consider a solder station because you all seem reasonably correct!But in that case I might also need to increase budget!Probably I'll be able to spend about 100€ = $110 = 90£. Ok with maybe +/-30€ = 27£ = $33.Between these 3 brands and up to at most maybe 60W/80W and with adjustable temperature, what you guys think I can get??

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 02:55:13 pm
content: http://mauser.pt/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=72295Maybe ask for a discountI always try to, when buying my one gear.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 03:39:33 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 02:55:13 pmYeah, that would be nice because I have a near store (80km from my hometown) that has the same model for 10€ less!http://www.mixtronica.com/ferramentas-medicao-soldadura-estacoes-de-soldar/56-estacao-de-soldar-ersa-i-con-pico-23024v-80w-0ic1300.html

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 03:51:02 pm
content: A general purpose iron with station quality regulation much like the Hakko 936 is a Hakko FX600 or 601. You can get them via eBay from Japan for under US$40 delivered, you have to check status for sale to Portugal or other countries. It seems more cost effective than the linked irons for the OP.

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 03:52:59 pm
content: a seller in my country has a great dealbut i think shipping would ruin the dealhttp://www.lokmita.lt/en/electronic-production/for-soldering/stations/non-antistatic-soldering/i-con-pico-electronically-temperature-controlled-soldering-station-with-i-tool-pico-soldering-iron-0ic1300.html

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 05:25:21 pm
content: I'd advise against JBC. I have one with a set of tips and they are horrible in terms of oxidation, they burn fast.

author: amitchell
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 06:37:31 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 03:52:59 pmFor that type of money why don't you just get a Hakko FX-888D?

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2016, 09:31:13 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 13, 2016, 03:52:59 pmThat price is excluding VAT. What would be the final price? And shipping costs?

author: CraigHB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 01:47:12 am
content: I have a Hakko FX-888D and a Weller WESD51. The Hakko is nicer in terms of quality. It was also about a third cheaper than the Weller. The FX-888D is such a popular station should not be hard to find a local Vendor for it.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 05:19:16 am
content: Given your location, your best bet for aHakko FX-888Dwould be batterfly in Italy (98EUR + VAT & free shipping; see link).

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 05:32:19 am
content: Hakko FX-888D looks pretty good in tip department. Witch ever station you buy, it should have a good selection of tips. One I would strongly recommend ishttp://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko-t18-k. Never had a blade tip, but after working with it, it's the main one I use.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 07:45:52 am
content: I'm not in Italy. I'm just using a VPS. I'm in Portugal!I'm leaning to choose or Ersa! I don't know the Hakko brand and I can buy it in a store near me as also the tips!

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 08:02:59 am
content: Quote from: psysc0rpi0n on October 14, 2016, 07:45:52 amThan go with Ersa, it's a good brand...

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 08:19:29 am
content: Yeah... I think it's the best option!What about the tips? Is a 0.4mm thick tip a large tip, a thin tip or a good choice for those small home jobs like soldering wires and small components?

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 08:23:13 am
content: Hello,having had an Ersa i-con Nano, I am not 100% happy with the way the tip attacher works. I have a video on it, but am not able to upload it ATM due to too much stress.If you swap the tips a lot, you should also buy a tip attacher...Tam

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 08:57:06 am
content: I would say, 1,2 mm chisel for 1206,0805 smd and trough hole, 2mm chisel for high gauge wire soldering, >8mm for high thermal mass components. Avoid pencil point. Blade is very versatile but very expensive. 1,6mm chisel should be included. It will get you through most of the jobs, buy more later as you need it for more specific jobs.Edit: I agree about the tip fasteners, buy one for all most used tips, and an extra for all the uncommonly used ones.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 09:06:30 am
content: Ok, I'm not sure which tip already comes with the station. I already sent an email to the local store asking which tip it brings with.If it's not a 1.2mm, I'll buy one!

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 10:14:28 am
content: Heypsysc0rpi0nI will soon selling my old Metcal MX-500P-21 (MX 2) with mx-h1-av handpiece and tip (upgrading to another Metcal). If you can wait a little bit.... Details will come soon.Yes there is no Temp regulation but when you use it... OMG... It´s like wow. I don´t want/need anything else than my trusty Metcal now...(Just my personal experience... everybody has his own taste....)Only downside you probably need to put 170€-200€ on the table.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 10:52:17 am
content: Quote from: zucca on October 14, 2016, 10:14:28 amHi...I appreciate your offer... But in the meantime I already ordered the Ersa I-Con Pico. And they even made me a favour. The soldering station comes with a 1.6mm and I asked if it was possible to replace the 1.6mm tip with a 1.2mm tip and they accepted so I'm happy!Thanks for all the opinions! At the beginning I was leaning to buy the JBC one but with all your help I went for the Ersa!Cheers

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 11:29:20 am
content: Quote from: psysc0rpi0n on October 14, 2016, 10:52:17 amJust send us your happy smile after first few solder jobs. Btw. you can download ersa configuration software. You can put generated file in micro sd and put it in i-con pico to set sleeping time, sleeping temp., auto shutdown time, and power profiles (3 profiles for ether quick thermal response with higher temp. overshoot, or lover overshoot with slower thermal response)http://www.kurtzersa.com/electronics-production-equipment/soldering-tools-accessories/soldering-desoldering-stations/produkt-details/i-con-pico-1.html

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 11:30:51 am
content: Yeah, that is nice. I've already being reading about it. I also need to learn how to solder properly... Then I can show my work...Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 12:25:00 pm
content: Quote from: psysc0rpi0n on October 14, 2016, 08:19:29 amFor my Hakko FX-951, I have .8 mm, 1.6 mm, 2.4 mm and 3.2 mm chisel tips. I have some smd practice kits that I use the .8 mm tip on and can solder 0402 resistors with it.

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 12:49:02 pm
content: Nice, for now I'm going to stick with the pencil type tip of 1.2mm. I'll buy other tips as my needs increase!

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 03:49:38 pm
content: I would also suggest getting eutectic solder from good brand (better flux).

author: psysc0rpi0n
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2016, 08:05:51 pm
content: Quote from: sainter on October 14, 2016, 03:49:38 pmYeah, I already got one. I paid about 13€ for 250g of solder with flux core!