FIRST decent soldering iron, ERSA maybe ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Charybdis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 03:38:42 am
content: Hi guys, i'm an italian young ""maker"" enjoying Arduino and small circuit flashing an LED with NE555.After two shitty chinese soldering iron I finally decided to buy a better one. I've seen that Ersa are rated good on the internet and some people claim their tools lasted for decades.I think that a proper soldering station would be a waste of money since my exigence are so small, but i would like to buy a proper soldering iron.I've seen on Amazon the PTC 60, a 75W with temp regulator from 250°C to 450°C with a 2,2 mm chisel tip for only 60€.There is a lot of spare parts and many tips that this soldering iron share with the soldering station analog W60 maybe a future upgrade.I've seen other models but i'm a little skeptical on them:Model 30s, 25€, 3,2 chisel tip, fixed temp 380°C (maybe a little hottie ?) you can also purchase the 1,1 mm point tip for this modelModel Multitip 15W, 25€, fixed temp 350°C (hottie ? ) a lot of tips. Maybe this is not enough powerful if i would have to work on medium component ?Model MULTITIP 25W, 25€, fixed temp 410°C ( so hot !! ) a lot of tips. maybe powerful enough, but isn't too hot the temperature ?What do you think about it ?Thanks to all will join this topic.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 03:42:08 am
content: SimpleCheap and workhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-precision-936d-LCD-Adjustable-temperature-Digital-Electric-Soldering-station-EU-plug-Replace-HAKKO-936-Soldering/32576513511.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.1.5mVSX7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10000009_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10062_10056_10055_10037_10054_10033_10059_10032_10099_10078_10079_10077_10000012_10103_10073_10102_10000015_10096_10052_10053_10107_10050_10106_10051,searchweb201603_2,afswitch_3,single_sort_0_total_tranpro_desc&btsid=becec91d-fa05-4f6a-9b07-151cc0c142ac

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 04:51:53 am
content: While back I used Multitip 25W with simple DIY PI controller, which just consisted of AVR MCU with ADC measuring thermocouple attached to the tip and driving Crydom solid-state relay to toggle heater on/off. Worked well for over 3 years with very same tip. After I moved to Taiwan, I've got myself an usedERSA iCON off ebay, which I really enjoy using. It's not cheap station, but it's worth to have and it lasts years..

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 09:29:14 am
content: I'd go for the Ersa soldering station. If you went through a couple of cheap Chinese irons already then buying a good soldering station is worth it. Otherwise you might end up wasting more money than the Ersa soldering stations costs.

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 09:58:59 am
content: I started with a fixed temperature Antex iron, which was fine for a few years. Moving to a temperature controlled (Chinese) Hakko clone was an order of magnitude better, and served me well for a few more years. I've now moved to an Ersa Icon 1 station, which is another order of magnitude better - fantastic for a wide range of soldering (0402s up to big heatsinks and RF connectors).

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 10:11:20 am
content: Once you go above the ~$300-400 mark I think lot of the gear you will get is very good. ESRA, Metcal, JBC, Hakko even Weller (I have a soft spot for Weller - my first decent station - it still works).I would tend to go with what you can get at a good price, a good range of tips and reasonable availabilty of spares etc.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 10:23:16 am
content: You don't have to spend $300 to get a new entry level Ersa station. 120 to 150 euro should get you started.

author: Marchello
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2017, 10:46:20 am
content: I have on my work:ERSA i-CON Nano ESDERSA i-CON PicoERSA i-CON 2Quick 203G ESD (150W)Quick 203H ESD (90W)Xytronic LF-3000Xytronic LF-3200ERSA i-CON Nano ESD - my favorite!BRMark

author: Charybdis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2017, 03:53:42 am
content: hi thanks to all, i've seen the PICO station. it's affordable but i've read some bad ratings on Amazon and i'm not so happy about that :\

author: radhaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2017, 05:10:56 am
content: For a simple soldering iron, the Hakko 888:https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.htmlIf it is available in your country.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2017, 07:50:24 pm
content: In my experience Weller is total crap compared to Ersa. Still it seems nobody gets fired for buying a Weller soldering iron so people keep buying them

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2017, 08:01:57 pm
content: i wont tell you what iron to buy,but i will say that after many many irons i would only recomend something that uses HAKKO/CLONE T12 tips.that could be anything from a HAKKO FX951 to a Bakon 950d and alot of others in between.T12 video:

author: Charybdis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 09:49:53 am
content: Thank you for all tipsi don't think I'll buy hakko station since there is lack of representation in my country and it will became difficult to get spares.I don't know between Ersa and Weller which one to pick, The station in the video are too expensive.Now, since I'm graduated and get some money as gift I could spend little more, 200-250€.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 09:57:15 am
content: I can only recommend ERSA i-Con Nano (not Pico). Heats up very quickly, lot of power and thermal capacity even for large joints (I have soldered a metal box together with it, no problem), plenty of different tips available. And it is compact, so won't take up much space on the bench.The only thing I don't like is the rather stiff cable to the handpiece - even my cheap-ass Solomon backup iron uses the nice soft silicon insulated cable. It is certainly usable but it is a pity that they were penny-pinching on exactly that.

author: m98
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 10:13:54 am
content: I'd also recommend either the Ersa i-con nano or the more expensive i-con 1 if you need the higher peak power of 150 W.The biggest advantage of those is the small and light handpiece, that makes it much more comfortable to solder finer pitch stuff. The stiff cable is a slight disadvantage, though.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 10:35:57 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 13, 2017, 07:50:24 pmWhat bad experiences did you have?I use weller soldering equipment now for about 30 years and only had one heating element fail on a wtcps, after about 20 years of daily use, cant complain on that.Yes the cheapo entry level stuff (the red plastic stations) are terrible, don't buy those.Any station with the wsp80 iron should be ok.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 11:31:01 am
content: The tips go bad very quick so you keep changing the tips on Weller irons.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 11:51:11 am
content: Interesting, my old Weller, about 12years old, the handpiece is a WP80 still has its original (and a genuine Weller) tips. I leave the 1.5mm in it almost always.I use brass to clean - no water - good brand solder- no tip cleaner pastes. Leave the tip covered in solder on switch off.Am also equally happy with my other irons, Metcal and JBC, each has its own slight advantage..

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 12:19:49 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 06, 2017, 11:31:01 amLead-free solder, perchance? I have heard people complain about this in connection with the Weller irons - the solder literally eats the tips. Possibly the plating on their tips is poor.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 04:21:22 pm
content: not the solder, probably the core or choice of flux.you need to keep the tip clean with modern solder or if using extra fluxes.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:25:32 pm
content: Quote from: Marchello on January 10, 2017, 10:46:20 amOut of curiosity, why do you like the i-CON nano better than the i-CON 2? (I have the nano and am very happy with it, other than the lack of LCD backlight.)

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:39:49 pm
content: Unless you want to spend top dollar on a Weller station, one of the chinese Hakko-ripoff cheapos should work for ya.I have this hot air/iron combo and it works well (Polish site)http://allegro.pl/stacja-lutownicza-wep-872d-2w1-oryginal-od-hotair-i6299803915.html

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:54:50 pm
content: i wish people would stop pushing clone hakko 900M series irons, they are mostly junk.

author: technogeeky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 12:19:47 am
content: I think people often overlook theTS-100 portable soldering ironbecause it looks wimpy or perhaps because it seems too cheap.But it is the real deal. It's fully customizable (via a text file via USB). It's as fast as any other traditional iron. The tips are very high quality (though tip selection seems to be lacking from Amazon, tips can be purchased elsewhere). It's very portable. It runs off of basically any 12-24V supply. And it's the cheapest decent soldering iron (you'll need to spend another $30 to get a good desktop one).If I didn't already have a good bench iron, I would use this both as my bench and my portable iron.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:04:50 am
content: Quote from: stj on June 06, 2017, 04:21:22 pmPossible. I am not using lead-free for my own stuff, so no firsthand experience. But I am using a flux pen with a no-clean flux and the tip on my Nano is still like new, after several years of use. Maybe some fluxes are more aggressive, though.

author: frenky
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 10:59:19 am
content: Since you are from Italy my suggestion would be to go with this one:http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko_fx-888dTo anyone reading this topic and thinking on buying cheap chinese soldering iron...I have bought this one just to have one more "mobile" solution:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/220V-60W-Adjustable-Temperature-Electric-Iron-Welding-Soldering-Iron-Solder-Rework-Repair-Tool-5pc-Iron-Tip/32435827831.htmlIt has over 2600 positive reviews so I thought... well it must be good enough?Wrong!If you plug it into the wall socket "the wrong way" the soldering iron metal parts become live with 240V AC.So you have 50/50 chance if it will kill you or not.

author: technogeeky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 06:45:26 pm
content: Quote from: frenky on June 07, 2017, 10:59:19 amEven if you had inserted the plug correctly, those type of soldering irons will destroy a tip in about 5 minutes. They have basically no heat regulation. They power on to full power, and then only reduce the power a little bit. The knob which is supposed to regulate temperature actually just regulates power blindly, and it's so coarse that it is basically a on/off toggle switch.Always, always, always stay away from those units.

author: serggio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:09:24 pm
content: Pretty happy with Ersa iCon Pico. Nothing best for this price.I have 5 or 6 replaceable tips, and can say that price for tips more than adequateUsually 10-25 Euro depending from tips.MicroWave (PowerWell)tip absolutely fantastic for soldering SSOP, VSSOP, and other similar IC packages.And it's pretty inexpensive tools for starters. 8-10 sec for start, excellent thermal stability, auto standby,compact design (easy for transportation), lightweight soldering iron... For 107 Euro it just fantastic.SSOP hand soldering by MicroWave tip.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:34:11 pm
content: Quote from: Charybdis on January 10, 2017, 03:38:42 amIf you go for a simple soldering iron, I'd suggest to get the 15W and 25W Multitip irons. The 15W for SMD and small through-hole parts, and the 25W for larger stuff and connectors. If you like to remove an electrolytic cap from a large ground plane an 80+W soldering station might be the better tool.

author: serggio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:51:19 pm
content: Quote from: madires on June 07, 2017, 07:34:11 pm80W need not only for remove big through hole's caps. 80-150W it's always less time for touching components during soldering, it's always better for soldering big IC's without overheating, it's always good thermal stability at the end of tip15-25W - bullshit.Right tools - it's always pleasure for work! It's always pleasure for learning, for hobbies. No compromise here.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:58:13 pm
content: Quote from: serggio on June 07, 2017, 07:51:19 pmWorked fine for me until I got my first proper soldering station.

author: serggio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:01:18 pm
content: Quote from: madires on June 07, 2017, 07:58:13 pmProbably because you paid twice: first for 15-25W billshit and later for right soldering tools.

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:20:03 pm
content: Wow, 15-25W is crippled to say the least.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:27:42 pm
content: Before condemning a simple iron, have you ever soldered using a 15W or 25W ERSA?

author: serggio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 08:45:26 pm
content: Quote from: madires on June 07, 2017, 08:27:42 pmSure. I have are lot tools at my office. We make are lot soldering, BNC crimping, assembling and other work day from day. Yes, I have experience with low power soldering tool.Try to solder with your 15-25W tools few panel type XLR connectors, then 10 panel type XLR's, then try to solder SSOP-28 to PCB, remove MSOP-8 from PCB and etc...And for next, try to do this with 80W or 150W soldering tool.Yes, I can repeat - 15-25W soldering tool - bullshit. Sorry for my English.And I will not ask you, why you bought soldering station with enough power after good experience with 15-25W iron.And yes, just for right understanding - I mean thermal stability for you tip is about 300-350 C during all soldering process.That is not same when you heat your 25W tips for over 450 C and try to solder thin coax cable shield to device shield and isolation at your cable just melt...

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:07:17 pm
content: Sorry, you got me totally wrong! I didn't say that a 15W or 25W iron is the right tool for everything. But you can use those for basic stuff. They are fine for soldering kits, but not for professional production purposes. No need to go berserk

author: serggio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:39:19 pm
content: May be I not so clear too, but It not not only for production... Hobbies and production not far away from each other. The common thing - it's right tools. For hobbies you'll have pleasure, for production - stability. At home you have more challenges for your soldering tools, from PCB to power distributor's outlet cord changing. And for beginner it's absolutely not right way to start from compromise: sufficient = enough.Cheers!

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 02:12:06 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 06, 2017, 11:31:01 amI'm using what now must be a five year old WESD51, and never had to replace the tip. It's as good as new, and while I don't use it every day I do use it. Solder is Kestrel leaded flux core solder. There must be some particular solder, flux, or maybe temperature combo that causes problems. I use the lowest temperature that will get the job done quickly and with minimal linger, and never any additional flux, at least I can't remember needing it the last several years.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 08:39:01 am
content: I'm sure that how you take care of the tip makes a huge difference, as does the type of solder and flux.Tons of people wipe the tip before putting the iron back in the stand (bad), as opposed to doing nothing (not great), tinning it before putting it back (much better), or wiping the tip and tinning (best). The layer of molten solder protects the tip by letting the solder oxidize instead of the tip!!

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 10:09:48 am
content: Quote from: tooki on June 08, 2017, 08:39:01 amTrue. By keeping the tip clean as you work and leaving fresh solder on it before storing it, is the way to make it last. Also, some beginers put too much pressure on the tip, and that accelerates wear. A clean and properly tinned tip helps transfers heat. I try to keep the heat setting around 300c, the more heat, the faster the tip wears.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 10:29:19 am
content: loljust spit on the tip and wipe it on your sleeve.this post is sooo off the rails now.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 10:31:25 am
content: Quote from: stj on June 08, 2017, 10:29:19 amthat's what she said...