What soldering iron should i buy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 07:36:35 pm
content: Hello guys,Before you read the rest, I will only use this one time a month or less so please i can not afford to buy a 100 dollar quality one when it will just sitting there in a corner.Okay so i want a cheap just to solder once a month thing and i could not choose between theseSo they look the same are from the same seller but one is 30whttp://goo.gl/QYozL5And this one is 60whttp://goo.gl/F5wc92When i repair my own things i most of the time just replace the regular stuff, But someday i might need to replace something bigger or smallerSo what wattage would you recommend?Again guys i will use this once a month or less it is not for professional grade stuff.Thanks for reading!Regards,

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 07:43:15 pm
content: You will help yourself by entering your country in your profile, so that suggestions can be made factoring in the local cost. Popular soldering irons in various location are not worth the money they cost in others.

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 07:51:34 pm
content: Ohh sorry i don't know how to do itBut i'm from the Netherlands and that ebay seller ships them for free to here

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 07:54:18 pm
content: I bought an FX888However, a couple months after receiving it, I had to break it open and fix it. The wire got too hot inside the iron (there's a circuit board in the handle) I guess and burned off the circuit board?! I'm guessing the one i bought was a fake.But, it's still working good after 2 years use.

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:05:14 pm
content: Sorry but it is 80 euro and it is way to overpriced for what i will do. If i used it every day or week i will defenitly have a go or look at it!

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:10:36 pm
content: I thought the same thing, But I was tired of working with those cheap (very cheap radioshack ones) and decided to put the money out.It's so nice having a soldering iron with temp adjustment. Later, I'll buy a better one with a hot air and all that stuff.It's worth spending alittle more to make things easier.

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:14:14 pm
content: Yeah you are right but i need one to fix my brothers small 19 inch tv so i need it fast do i will buy the el cheapo for now and later a good one from weller or hako but should i get the 30w or the 60w model? Or is it important or will the 60w damage something?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:20:27 pm
content: Quote from: UberStrike88 on September 24, 2014, 08:14:14 pmIf you are buying an iron without temperature control, get the 30W one.But, you should at least consider something like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/60-Watt-220V-SOLDERING-Iron-Adjustable-Temperature-Control-Pencil-Style-/180899466153

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:23:50 pm
content: You can get a cheap hakko clone that is miles better than either of those for not that much.Shitty pencil irons are trash and make a good solder joint much harder than it needs to be.

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:24:29 pm
content: Ohh yeah i forgot those even existed xDAnway i will go for the non regulated as i need it fast and i have 5 dollar ready in my paypal account (else i need to top it up) andit will be temp anyway. Btw why is the 30w better? Cqn you please explain it?

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 08:33:47 pm
content: Well, being that you will be trying to fix a TV, chance are, if it's a newer TV, it has lead free solder. That 30W iron may have trouble with that solder.The thing with a 60W iron, correct me if I am wrong, Is it gets too hot, and you could heat the pcb trace too much and raise it off the circuit board when trying to remove the solder paste. Probably not much trouble when soldering, as that is usually quick. But, again, if you get the 30W, and it's lead free solder, you may have trouble getting the solder to heat up and come off.

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 09:09:05 pm
content: It is indeed led free solderso i think ill buy the 60w that should keep the temp at 350-400 right?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 09:30:01 pm
content: At those prices, why not get both?That way, you can experiment with them on some junk electronics (broken would be perfect) to see how they behave/work prior under various conditions to trying to fix your brother's TV (which iron to use for particular conditions). Should reduce your chances of damaging things (lifted traces, scorched PCB, ...), but still make acceptable joints.As per setting your country, open your user profile, click on the Forum Profile section, and set your country. That's it.

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 11:11:57 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on September 24, 2014, 09:30:01 pmI agree, you should get both if you can, 30w for more sensitive soldering and the 60w for heavier stuff

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 11:50:04 pm
content: Quote from: UberStrike88 on September 24, 2014, 08:14:14 pmI think you can buy a new 19" TV for less than a halfway decent soldering iron...

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 11:51:42 pm
content: Quote from: UberStrike88 on September 24, 2014, 08:24:29 pmThe 60W will get too hot for soldering on circuit boards.

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2014, 11:53:41 pm
content: Quote from: P90 on September 24, 2014, 11:50:04 pmHAHA, probably, but, You can't buy experience, and that's what he'll get from trying to fix it. Even if it goes good or bad, He'll learn from it.

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 12:04:03 am
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on September 24, 2014, 11:53:41 pmcouldn't agree more, that's the path hehe

author: UberStrike88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 05:48:57 am
content: I ordered boththanks for the help guys!

author: Lyren
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 03:06:31 pm
content: I would be "a bit" concerned about putting something at that price with exposed metal in ac mains.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2014, 11:34:36 am
content: QuoteI suppose it should be obvious, but please unplug the TV from the mains before soldering on it.

author: cybertronicify
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2014, 10:39:41 pm
content: Id say go with a Aouye 936+ i have that and it is a high quality Hakko clone.