(UK specific) Soldering Stations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JonSick
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 07:44:38 pm
content: Hi allI want to invest in a decent soldering station, but having a bit of a tricky time. It's my first one, before I've just used and burned Homebase specials.I can't seem to find a decent station with easily replaceable solder tips. That is, easy to find and aren't £30 for a set of three, only one of which I'll ever use.So, can anyone in the UK point me in the right direction for a temperature controlled station with decently available chisel type tips?I mainly will use it for guitar electronics (potentiometers, jacks, etc) and putting effects pedals together using larger caps/resistors etc.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 07:56:52 pm
content: I spent several decades without a temperature controlled soldering iron. During that time I soldered many smaller, finer, more temperature sensitive components than you mention. However, they were all through hole components.The only reason I now have a temperature controlled iron is because I needed a small tip for surface mount devices which are thermally small and have small easily lifted pads on PCBsFor what you state you need, a traditional 25W iron is sufficient. Otherwise, have a look at something likehttp://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-50w-solder-station-n78ar

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 08:25:14 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 05, 2015, 07:56:52 pmIt is not temperature controlled, just a dimmer inside. Also it is ridiculous junk which is even worse than many uncontrolled irons.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 08:36:21 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 05, 2015, 08:25:14 pmThe temperature is controllable and it is more than sufficient for the stated requirements. You don't need a Rolls Royce or a Land Rover to go to the supermarket.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 08:44:08 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on October 05, 2015, 08:36:21 pmNo, it's not controllable (unless +-100oC is considered to be controlled). Regulating power is not the same as controlling the temperature. I have used such soldering iron and it was almost the worst iron I held in my hands ever (worse than this were only $2 Chinese irons).Quote

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 09:56:16 pm
content: Check out Circuit Specialists.. They have some reasonable units (I used to have the BlackJack BK 2000 which was good.) Although don't expect an 8 second heat up time etc for these prices.They stock spares for most things too I believe..http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/soldering/soldering-stations/

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 09:58:50 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 05, 2015, 08:44:08 pmI have one and the warm up time isfarless than that. I am entirely aware that heat != temperature. I am aware that there are far better irons than that. Indeed, I also have a temperature controlled iron and hot air gun. For the OP's stated requirements, I would probably use the cheap Maplin iron.I am also aware that the OP is sensitive to cost and that that iron is more than sufficentforhispurposes. I make no comment about your purposes nor your budget - they are irrelevant.Fitnessfor purposeis a very important engineering concern. "An engineer is someone who can do for $1 what any fool can do for $10".

author: JonSick
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 10:14:03 pm
content: I should probably clarify a little more...AS for purposes, most of my work will be around larger components. But I do intend to get into PCB work later on, be it making up some effects or arduino-related projects.I'm not a complete newbie but I'm not a Professor of electronics either by a long shot. All of this is hobbyist.I'm not particularly after bargain basement as a lot of tools I've used in the cheaper price bracket tend to subscribe heavily to the buy cheap, buy twice mentality. I have had a Maplin solder station before which was around the £40 mark but I just could not find replacement tips for it and nothing else seemed to fit. At least properly anyway - using random bits of metal to wedge a solder tip in place is really not a safe solution.So as for budget, happy to spend about £100 on a decent station with the various paraphernalia (sponge, stand etc) that will last me. I just can't believe it's become so difficult to find something useful in the UK.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 10:53:53 pm
content: Quote from: JonSick on October 05, 2015, 10:14:03 pmDeisngning and making PCBs are much much easier than when I started!If you want fast turnaround then there's the homebrew "laser toner" techinque, which is just about good enough for double-sided 0.1" boards.If you want several "proper" boards, then you can get 10off 5cm*5cm double sided PTH for £10 in 10 days.Don't be put off by surface mount - unless you expect to do a lot of reworking. You don't need a reflow oven; with care the skillet technique works remarkably well. Reworking really needs a hot air gun so as to heat up all contacts simultaneously; both temp and airflow mut be controllable.QuoteSometimes that's a good strategy, e.g. when learning or because you are going to damage it sometime so there's no point in spending more than necessary (think non-stick frying pans!)QuoteSounds dreadful! I'm surprised you got anything to work like that! The Maplin tips are easily available on ebay.QuoteI suspect that's the sour spot between "disposable" and "good". I found a £130 factory-return Tenma for half price, and had to repair a faulty joint in a connector. I haven't used it enough to have formed an opinion as to whether I would recommend it.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 11:35:15 pm
content: Perhaps you missed my post above?... Circuit Specialists are in Manchester UK

author: JonSick
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 06:48:11 am
content: I did actually! Cheers for the tip.

author: GNU_Ninja
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 07:15:08 am
content: I recently bought this Atten 8586 rework station. Hot air gun and a 50W controlled iron for about £70 delivered. Quite happy with it, and it takes Hakko (or fake Hakko) tips wich are easily obtainable.Be aware, the iron comes fitted with one of those ludicrous conical/pointed tips, so you'll need to invest in a decent chisel tip too.Link here ==>http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atten-Digital-Rework-Station-solder/dp/B00D1V6TN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444115383&sr=8-1&keywords=atten+reworkThis 75W job from Circuit Specialists was on my shortlist:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Station75-Temperature-Control-Soldering-Powerful/dp/B00SYLUXJK/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1444116288&sr=8-34-spons&keywords=soldering+iron&psc=1... But I finally went for the Atten rework station, as I want to get into the world of SMD.Hope you find something suitable

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 08:50:51 am
content: QuoteSo why not go for Maplin's slightly more expensive 48W properly temperature controlled one?http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/48w-professional-2-line-lcd-display-solder-station-n34fbIt still looks good value (my nephew recently got one for beginner's use). Tips are cheap (£7 for 3) as are replacement irons. The cords are burn proof silicone - I grabbed one off ebay to convert my weller TCP to zero voltage switching (and relieve the current on the thermostat contacts).