Recommendation for high wattage soldering gun - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: j_omega
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2018, 07:50:59 pm
content: I have a Hakko-888 that I am very happy with but I need another high wattage iron for bigger jobs. I have seen a lot of references to Weller D550/D650 models but have also read poor things about their quality control. What are the recommendations for a 150-250W soldering gun?

author: t1d
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2018, 01:52:19 am
content: Do you really want a gun style, or would you prefer an iron style, with that much wattage?I have had the same Weller gun, for at least 30 years, but, in that length of time, Weller may have started taking shortcuts, on quality... I just don't know.If you really want a gun-style, I would say to stick with the brand names; the no-names guns are definitely junk. Also, see "Mr. Carlson's Lab," on YouTube, for an easy to make, DIY tip, that helps pass the high heat, quickly.High wattage irons are available. I am pretty sure JBC has them, but that will be big money. Also, I think the newer technology T12 type irons get that high... Here is a hack...https://www.hackster.io/sfrwmaker/soldering-iron-controller-for-hakko-t12-tips-on-arduino-f7a888For me, the iron-style would be the more versatile, and, therefore, the better choice.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2018, 02:21:47 am
content: I've bought several of these years ago -https://www.jbctools.com/hde-heavy-duty-station-product-933-category-1-menu-1.htmlWith the huge range of tips, we were soldering component level to literally gutter size - heavy copper bus bars > 1KW+ transformers.Damn good work-horses, very reliable, fast and accurate. You can either get one of the lower rated units and use the larger tips. I do it all the time,when I'm too lazy to swap stations :-)

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2018, 02:21:59 am
content: I bought a high wattage soldering gun from Harbor Freight here in the US for I think around $10.It does the job and even came with a case.(Yes its cumbersome but for the price I can overlook a lot)Its a lot like an old Weller.

author: j_omega
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2018, 10:55:24 pm
content: Well, I got my Weller gun in the mail today and found that it is much to cumbersome for my application.It's a bummer than the Hakko and JBC high-wattage irons are so expensive...

author: t1d
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2018, 12:18:15 am
content: Quote from: j_omega on November 14, 2018, 10:55:24 pmHow do you feel, about building the T12 type? If this is the type of electronics you enjoy, maybe it would be worthwhile?

author: j_omega
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2018, 07:35:40 am
content: I finally found a solution. I used the JBC DD-1 that I found in my lab at work. It is a 150W iron and soldered the joint very quickly.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2018, 09:59:09 am
content: Great news. You will like the JBC. If you need much more "effective" power, get one of the bigger ass tips. The station will easily handle it.