Soldering irons gas or electric ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: stefanp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 09:39:18 pm
content: Currently my budget is extremely limited and i need a soldering iron under 50 euros since my old cheap brand one's tip melted ( not joking it literally melted away after about half a year of use )So given the choice of non regulated electric soldering irons ( since my budget is 50 euros soldering stations are not available) and the somewhat regulated dremel versatip gas soldering iron ( the only such available where i live) which one would you guys recommendPS: If i posted in the wrong section i apologize

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:00:15 pm
content: If given only a choice between the two, I'd go with butane so long as you can get tips for it.That said however, I'd recommend skipping both and save up a bit more in order to get a temp controlled iron. Used might be a viable alternative (would need to be patient). Makes the job so much easier and consistent IMHO.An Antex iron might be worth a look (temp controlled, but not a station @65GBP, incl. VAT):http://www.expotools.com/acatalog/Antex-Temperature-Controlled-Iron-77770.htmlBTW, Could you post your location (or better yet, assign your country's flag in your user profile)?It might help someone else offer a better alternative.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:02:53 pm
content: Gas irons are handy for on-site work but not really suitable for general-purpose use.

author: stefanp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:10:13 pm
content: I know that gas irons aren't really good for general purpose use , but i have a really limited choice since here where i live temp controlled soldering stations especially name brand ones go for double or even triple of my current budget. Online purchasing is also out of the question since there's no pay pal and my parents or i do not own any debit cards. All i need is a soldering iron that can do rough stuff , usually i work with veroboard and i make very simple circuits with no precise soldering. I like the versatip since it allows me to also do reflowing without buying an actual reflow station

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:24:49 pm
content: Quote from: stefanp on July 29, 2013, 10:10:13 pmHave you considered a money order?

author: stefanp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:36:14 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on July 29, 2013, 10:24:49 pmI have thought about it but the fact still remains that with a limited budget of 50 euros you can't buy a soldering station. My choice isn't between a gas iron and a soldering station , my choice is between a gas iron and a non regulated 20-30 euro cheapy brand soldering iron. (believe me if i get my hands on let's say 100 or 150 euros im surely buying a soldering station , im doing all my work and buying all my gear with money i have saved up or that has been given to me , for example i use a 40 year old iskra multimeter that i'd gotten for free )

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 10:39:39 pm
content: I used a very cheap low-wattage electric iron without temperature control decades ago starting out. It worked ok, and many of my circuits made with that iron are still functioning, but a temp controlled iron makes things much easier. I've never used a gas iron, but I can't see any advantage to one except portability.I'd strongly recommend searching for a temp controlled soldering station, but if that's absolutely not going to happen, a small low wattage electric iron can work for many purposes.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 11:14:51 pm
content: If you can't get a temp controlled one, I'd go for an unregulated electric or maybe you can find one of those "regulated" mains direct ones with the little temperature control on the handle as a middle-ground (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/30W-240V-Temperature-Controlled-Soldering-Iron-/390467676475?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5ae9afe93b&_uhb=1)Then one of your first projects should be to make your own iron controller and get a cheap Hakko handle. See the Dangerous Prototypes thread:http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=2457

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 06:51:51 am
content: Quote from: stefanp on July 29, 2013, 10:36:14 pmWrong.Very wrong.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 07:16:25 am
content: Quote from: stefanp on July 29, 2013, 10:10:13 pmYou could buy a "present card" at a local shop and use that to buy stuff online.They're prepaid credit cards that come loaded with money.Might be a good idea to check the store supports those sort of cards first though.99% of them do, since its just a credit card, but there maybe a few that don't.I think ebay might even have their own version.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 07:20:48 am
content: Gas irons are a bit inconvenient to use. You have to keep lighting them each time you want to use them, you have to watch how you put them down because of the hot air that comes out the vent, and it gets expensive to keep buying butane.I'd suggest that even a cheap non-regulated electric iron is better than a gas iron if those are the only choices you have. Electric power is just more convenient for regular use. To get some control over the tip temperature and heat output you could run the iron through a light dimmer to turn down the power a bit if it starts burning flux.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 07:32:03 am
content: You can get solder stations for under 50 euros Circuit specialist certainly stock them, not sure how good they are but I bought a station from them over a year ago for £70-00 and so far I cant fault it. Have a look at their web site, The link is for one that costs 40.65 euros plus tax which at UK rates (20%) brings it up to 48.78 euros.http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-deluxe-60w-digital-soldering-iron-station-csi-station3dlf

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 07:42:15 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on July 30, 2013, 07:32:03 amThat is a rebranded Atten AT938D.

author: stefanp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 09:18:05 am
content: I found a cheap soldering station in a local store, apparently they just got them . It's a Solomon sr-976 ever heard of them ?

author: alanb
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2013, 09:38:54 am
content: QuoteIt's also available from Farnell branded as Tenma for £40.14 + tax.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2013, 03:40:08 pm
content: I'll go one up and list theYihua 936 for $17.47 (euro stocked)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2013, 04:00:49 pm
content: Why not use an inexpensive non-temperature controlled iron with a lamp dimmer plug to provide rough, unregulated temperature control?

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2013, 04:10:06 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on August 12, 2013, 04:00:49 pmThat can help, but only a little. The point of temperature regulation is to be able to turn the power up when you are soldering heavy connections to keep the tip at the right temperature. You can try to figure that out by hand and tweak the dimmer, but humans are already a hand short for soldering.