Decent soldering station? Atten? Aoyue? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jdb90
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 07:21:51 pm
content: Hi,Any recommendations for a temperature-controlled soldering station for a hobbyist with a firm £75-100 (absolute max) budget? (I can't afford £200+ on a Hakko!)I've been considering these 60w models:* ATTEN ST-60* Aoyue 9378 PROAnyone used either of these?

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 07:37:07 pm
content: SH METCAL.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 09:40:46 am
content: I have a Weller WE1010, not sure of the best price though. We used Weller soldering stations at work for many years without any trouble, the WE1010 is more hobby/education, but is still pretty good.SJ

author: ppTRN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 10:18:37 am
content: Quote from: stretchyman on February 05, 2025, 07:37:07 pmVery good stations, but pricy

author: ahsrabrifat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 06:26:26 pm
content: ATTEN ST-60 has a better review.https://www.amazon.co.uk/ATTEN-ST-60-Soldering-Station-Stand/dp/B08KS7YFYShttps://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-9378-Programmable-Digital-Soldering/dp/B00BSW69LI

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 07:50:14 am
content: SH, meaning Second Hand, hence not pricey!Nothing to touch them despite the myriad of comments on here for similar posts.Ok, I've been soldering stuff for over 50 years and not until I worked for Pro engineering businesses did I discover Metcal. Since then Ive worked for 20+ similar companies and guess what, they All use Metcal. They are the best, simple as. If you want some cheap rubbish then go ahead and waste your money but find an MX500 SECOND HAND and youll have a soldering system for life!However this does depend on how much soldering you do. If its most days then you know the answer but if only occasionally then anything will do.Aoyue fine for hot air station btw.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 09:43:14 am
content: Quote from: stretchyman on February 07, 2025, 07:50:14 amI don’t think most people, including native English speakers, are familiar with “SH” to mean secondhand.

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 06:38:43 pm
content: Hence my 2nd post, Clever Clogs!+ You know now😛.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 06:44:50 pm
content: I don't think Aoyue ever produced anything but (lately overpriced) trash.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 06:57:00 pm
content: Quote from: stretchyman on February 07, 2025, 07:50:14 amThat I'd have to disagree with. Many people who are in despair over their poor soldering abilities find the are miraculously able to do good work once they get decent tools and solder.

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 08:38:29 pm
content: Hi jdb90,I haven't used any of the stations you listed personally I'm using aFixpoint EP5for a while now and have no complaints so far. The tips seem pretty durable and it does work well even on bigger ground planes, despite the heating element being separate from the tip. It has one downside however, I have not found small tips for it. I think you can maybe manage to solder down to 0805 component size, below that you probably need another iron. I have a Pinecil as second iron for the small stuff, depending on the prices at your location you might be able to grab both for ~100$. On the positive side you have a second iron if one fails or in case you ever need to swap a heating element in the Fixpoint, I have yet to see a heating element fail on me though, I'm still using the original one.