WTB: Soldering Station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tyguy2
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 04:51:38 am
content: I'm looking for a low cost (under $50) soldering station due to my soldering iron failing yet again. I'm tired of dealing with the pencil soldering irons, and want to move to something better. Any suggestions?Would any of these be ok?:http://www.ebay.com/itm/937D-SMD-Soldering-Station-Hot-Iron-Welding-Solder-Tool-W-Stand-Welder-Digital-/201265864849?hash=item2edc616091http://www.ebay.com/itm/936B-Rework-Iron-Soldering-Station-ESD-SMD-Welder-Welding-w-Stand-Sponge-1-Tip-/390635897189?hash=item5af3b6c165http://www.amazon.com/Tenma-21-10115-Compact-Digital-Soldering/dp/B008BW9LX6/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1444539076&sr=8-28&keywords=soldering+station

author: JoeB83
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 05:16:20 am
content: I know none of my recommendations are on your list, but I've had these for a very long time and they're great. They are also more than $50 but a high-quality iron is a very worthwhile investment.My favorite: Weller WESD-51. The non-digital version, WES-51 is good too. Tons of tips available, and seems to have just the right amount of power.Runner-up: Hakko FX888D. Pretty much the same qualities as the Weller, but some people prefer Hakko over Weller.How did your current iron fail? What brand/model is it?

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 08:27:07 am
content: Quote from: tyguy2 on October 11, 2015, 04:51:38 amQuoteMrAureliusRhas a Yihua 937D, which is basically the same thing:Quote from: MrAureliusR on April 19, 2015, 10:38:20 pmSource:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/yihuastandigyum-cha-937d-soldering-station-got-one/QuoteI couldn't find much on this one, but it's most likely similar to the Yihua 936 that Dave reviewed...QuoteAlanBhas this soldering iron:QuoteSource:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/experiences-with-tenma-soldering-stations/Personally, I would get a more expensive soldering iron like the ones JoeB83 suggested

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 11:40:10 am
content: Another vote for either theHakko FX-888DorWeller WES51. The quality is well worth the extra funds.FWIW, Hakko has better quality tips (thicker plating). Weller's QC is spotty on tips from Bosnia and Mexico; those made elsewhere are fine.And you don't need a lot of tips to get started either (the following list will allow you to do most anything).3 chisels min (i.e. 1.6mm <comes with the iron>, 2.4mm, and 3.2mm)bent conical (T18-BR02)drag specific tip (900M-3CM)TEquipment offers a 6% discount for EEVBlog members, so PM sent.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 12:57:19 pm
content: I have never been a big fan of soldering stations, but this has caught my eye recently.http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi_premier_75w.html

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 01:04:06 pm
content: What nanofrog said for the Hakko.

author: tyguy2
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 03:04:15 pm
content: Thanks for all the suggestions!Quote from: JoeB83 on October 11, 2015, 05:16:20 amI've actually had 2 irons fail. The first was a Weller SP23LK,http://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP23LK-25-Watt-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0009ZD2AG,which just ceased heating up after years of use. Next was a Weller SP40NUS,http://m.ebay.com/itm/371419040791,which heats up, but not enough to melt solder.

author: Fat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2015, 03:16:54 pm
content: I hear that the Hakko Fx888D is on sale at Fry's. I have one and love it. Love my Metcal more, but it's in a different league.Fat