Looking for a 3rd soldering iron. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 04:37:51 pm
content: I have a cheapo 60W soldering iron:https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N46T138/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1I also have a KSGER T12 V3.1S.I am looking for a 3rd soldering iron, I am looking at this:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/402962585717?var=673159596484This is a 110W iron, Should I go for it ? are there any other soldering irons out there as good as this one or even better in this price range ? I need a high wattage iron like 110W+...Many Thanks

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 05:53:06 pm
content: You get what you pay for . Although that unit takes 900M tips , I'm wondering what the element inside is like .

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 06:03:31 pm
content: What do you think you need 110 watts for? As I recall the cross section of most electronics soldering tips means more than something like 60-80 watts isn't going to give you much, especially with these 900M tips the tip has too much thermal resistance. If big tips in your T12 station aren't cutting it you likely need a physically larger iron with physically larger tips.In any event I'd avoid any of the cheap stuff with mains going into the handpiece.

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 06:09:41 pm
content: Quote from: BrokenYugo on October 01, 2021, 06:03:31 pmQuicker temperature rise and quicker recovery ?There is also a cheaper 90W version:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/294283209659?var=592931726681You are saying I should go for this one ?

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 06:34:00 pm
content: Higher the watts the easier the iron is able to sustain a temperature . This also allows for faster soldering at a point without the heat travelling to far . This reduces the heat stress on sensitive components.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 06:36:25 pm
content: Quote from: Jwillis on October 01, 2021, 06:34:00 pmExcept it does not matter if that power cannot be delivered to the tip. And in this case it cannot. This thing will certainly suck a lot compared to KSGER equipped with a half-decent T12 knockoff tip.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 06:49:09 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 01, 2021, 06:36:25 pmYour absolutely correct . That's why the element is important . I also have my doubts about the capabilities of this iron . Seems Hakko units that use these 900M/T18 tips are 70W .

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 07:04:57 pm
content: You are saying the Iron that I was about to get performs similarly to the cheapo 60W iron that I have ?What's the best iron to get for 55 CDN (including everything) ? I want something with a short barrel for precision soldering...

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
content: That's exactly what we are saying, you hit diminishing performance returns putting more than 60-80w into a 900M tip, that's why Hakko doesn't.If you want a short barrel for precision work they make T12 handles that let you grip closer to the tip.E.G.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000116326529.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000311213864.html

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 07:36:00 pm
content: This is the one that came with my unit:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000012359087.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.7.28ff7e3eHnjAx8Does it get shorter than that ?

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 09:28:48 pm
content: A 100+ W iron is for plumbing. Not electronics.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2021, 12:16:31 am
content: You haven’t said why you need a third iron, without that info no one can rationally comment on how an iron fits your needs.As for the referenced iron, in my opinion it is junk. The reason has nothing to do with electronics though, the problem is that it is unbranded. I believe strongly in the idea that if you are doing quality work you will put your name on a product. There are plenty of companies in China that do brand their products that includes soldering iron manufactures or resellers. So no don’t buy this.As for irons I have a few laying about at work and home. Each has its own justification. Butane irons are great for heavy cursor work or simply shrinking a lot of tubing. Likewise modern battery powered units can be extremely useful compared to the units from 30 years ago. A good bench soldering station should be highly valued. Even a gigantic Weller soldering gun can be useful.Each of the above will fill a niche. The question is what is the niche you want to fill??

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2021, 06:19:52 pm
content: Good Morning l3gi0n, Get yourself a TS100. I got one as a backup, but find myself using it more and more. And it will run on battery voltage. I installed some 3rd party software that gives me a lot more control of all the parameters. I promise that you will love it.