LFS: A good beginner soldering iron. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 02:23:13 pm
content: Note, by beginner I don't mean cheap arse, I already have one of those that's why I need a new one.I got into soldering when I was maybe 10 or 11. I got a bunch of soldering kits to practice and make (I still have one I haven't done yet, lol)And it came with a soldering station. It's CHEAP. No removable chords, the variable temperature control is literally a nob with a hot or cold decal on it, it's baby blue (that I don't really care about) and it can't do most lead-free solders.While I have leaded solder, if I want to rip components off a board I will need it to go hotter. The tip and element are fine, I checked them and replaced them to still no luck.Getting to the point, does anyone know of any good soldering stations with decent variable temperature control, can go up to 700F (So I can tackle most solders), and isn't a dime over 50 bucks. I don't need any fancy LCD/LED displays, no thousand knobs, just a knob on a block with an iron will do, as long as it's quality and can reach high enough to get most solders.Thank you.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 02:27:40 pm
content: eh $50 is a bit low, and I don't know of any with as much bang per buck as the Hakko FX-888D. It's a PITA to use, but it's a good iron, and more than $50.It is a shit iron compared to my JBC, but it's a great iron.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 03:29:02 pm
content: Funny thing about the idea of a beginners tool of any kind .I've been in many trades / tools and found that to do a good job , it takes much more skill to do good with a bad/cheap tool , then it does to work with quality .So the best suggestion I could make is , ask yourself if your think that you will do much soldering in the future .If so then start building a system , again like almost any trade the accessories / options can cost more than the major part of the system , like a mill or lathe and well equipped shop can have more in tooling than the cost of the mill .So with soldering , think about desoldering etc.I have done well shopping and am building 2 systems .Started with an older Metcal power supply & hand piece with a bunch of tips , for less that $150 , added desoldering gun for about $75 [ I choose Metcal desoldering , because it uses shop air to make vacuum ] instead of dedicated vacuum pump , more reliable and lower cost , in many trades I can hardly remember a shop that did not have a compressor .Now adding Metcal tweezers 2 sets of tips so far and about $100 .Mostly on ebay , but got more power supplies & tips new & used on craigslist .Also a older but digital JBC unit with lots of tips and under $150 .So bottom line is the shopping may be the most important

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 03:50:20 pm
content: I could also go to Centre of Gravity, which is a community workshop. Bad part is that it's far away from my house (20-30 minute drive one way) And i'm thirteen, so I need my parents to bring me. I wonder if I could make my own from scratch. Idk, thanks anyways.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 04:01:08 pm
content: Now to jump the fence , getting something just to gather some experience , cheap .With newer circuit boards you are more likely to see lead-free solder and that normally requires higher temps .There are lots of details so getting a start with a class , the community center you mention .There are lots of good videos on youtube and Dave has done some , so check out Dave youtube page ,https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/search?query=soldering+You may want to gather some old electrical boards and do some desoldering , swapping of parts , the older the better - so get started with lead solder & throughhole vs. surface mount [ but make sure you have good ventilation , even a fan to outside because the lead fumes are bad .

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 05:17:30 pm
content: No I already got an iron. It can't reach the higher temperatures for unleaded solder, so that's why I need a new one.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 08:08:54 pm
content: Are higher temperature tips available for your current iron?

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2015, 10:03:43 pm
content: I don't even know what iron I have. I'll just keep using that, maybe I will find something. Thanks.