Which soldering station should i buy as an absolute beginner? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Marvomat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 02:50:02 pm
content: Hi guys,im looking to buy a soldering station to make some cool projects with my rasperry pi or fix some cables.The problem is that i have no idea or clue, which soldering station i should buy.My maximum budget is about 50 bucks, im from germany but Esra or Weller is too expensive in my opinion.I hope you guys can help me!

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 01:17:12 am
content: Hello, we find 20..30W a small soldering irons ( not workstation) at flomarkts and street sales im Paris for €1....5€ some hardly used.Smaller than a workstation, perfect for occasional or field usePerhaps you could find similar markets nearby in your area of Germany.Finally visited a German Ham Radio Flea Friedrichshafen, June 24..26https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/BonsoirJon

author: Ungolian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 03:43:30 am
content: Here you go. Quicko T12 style, 108 watts, and will do everything you need. Set 5 on the end will get you 5 tips, and comes to 46 euro. (Edit: It's only 72W, which is still plenty. It incorrectly says 108w).https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000895544186.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6cf97c8cOr0aqi&algo_pvid=c50dacd9-e7a4-4d9c-b42b-a9098673a3f6&algo_exp_id=c50dacd9-e7a4-4d9c-b42b-a9098673a3f6-7&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000010464583643%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B49.46%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BUSD%3Bsearch-mainSearchThe seller says you can swap the tips for ones you'd rather have. Not sure the types of soldering you will be doing, but these 5 tips will get you through pretty much everything. C1, D12, KF, BC2, D24. C1 for small stuff, D12 for general use, KF for wipe/drag soldering chips and fixing solder bridges, the BC2 can also be used for drag soldering (learn both techniques) as well as general soldering on medium sized stuff, then the D24 will be good for larger cables and does have some overlap with the BC2, but can be used at a shallower angle and is a good general use medium sized tip. The KF, BC2, and D24 do have some overlap with each other, but also can be used in different ways, at different angles, and if a tip does burn out, you sort of have a back up. The only thing I didn't suggest was a large sized tip like a C4, D4, or D52 for BIG stuff (large ground planes, heavy duty cables, etc), it doesn't sound like you'd use those. But at the same time, those tips only cost 3 euro. Up to you. Just stay away from conical tips. Everyone starts out with them, but most people grow to hate them.List of tips also from the same dealer:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32857722737.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.11.2f6c1d1c0HfEje

author: Marvomat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 08:42:57 am
content: What is the difference between the 941, 942, 945, 946, 951, 952, 955, 956?There are too many models.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 09:24:00 am
content: Basically the mcu in it and slight hardware changes.T951, 952, 956, 959 use STC mcu, the rest have STM32.If you're not planning to install CFW, the STC is cheaper and will perform more or less in the same way.There's a new cheap design, almost sure it's STC,but the housing is neat:https://a.aliexpress.com/_v6z5yt

author: Marvomat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 12:11:24 pm
content: And which chip does this model here have?https://m.de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003502334733.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.30e630d08PFNDS&browser_id=50283a09f5364fdf922bf851920ea52d&aff_trace_key=f6bb35e8a52744b3b5e6682bba1d7ca5-1650883564120-00077-ieuJaqj&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=001180609f763b809ad9f8e91ee8141dded7113b29&gclid=It says ARM core processor or is this also a STC chip?There is also a 958 at Ali with the STM32Edit: I bought the 958 with a STM32, seems to be the newest model with this chip.

author: mastershake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 04:36:41 pm
content: i would suggest the t3a myself. works very well with jbc 245 tips and hako style t12 tips at the same time. we have a few new guys using them learning and they work great. i know its a bit more money then the one above but when you decide to upgrade to 245 tips you can do so very easy.

author: Ungolian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 10:43:28 pm
content: Congrats, Marvomat. For your first station, that's a good one. If it's Quecoo (and not Quicko), I can't say if there are any differences that will keep you from installing David's CFW, but it will still do a fine job. And if you do want to upgrade to the T3a at a later date, you will have to change the wiring in the handle (or the pin connector), and it will work fine with your tips. But the T3a is a great station. Transitioning to the 245 system will be expensive though. Between my T3a and 5 tips, I have almost $400 tied up in it! And one final note- don't buy the T12 black tips. It's just a marketing scam. The regular ones will work fine, and if you're going to spend the money on tips, just get genuine Hakkos. Enjoy!