Recommend me a soldering iron.
10-21-2010, 03:30 PM
#1
Recommend me a soldering iron.
I am looking for a decent soldering iron for RC's and stereo systems.
What would you buy? Not certain on price, I have no idea what is out there.
What would you buy? Not certain on price, I have no idea what is out there.
10-21-2010, 03:47 PM
#2
Hakko 936 
About $80 online. Great tip life & selection of tips. There is a reason this has been the standard for many years The LRP iron looks cool, but its pricey
About $80 online. Great tip life & selection of tips. There is a reason this has been the standard for many years The LRP iron looks cool, but its pricey
10-21-2010, 04:58 PM
#3
I was looking at them (Hakko 936) and liked the looks. Hopefully I can find one that runs on 240V for use here in AUS.
10-21-2010, 05:42 PM
#4
Question has come up before, but I don't think its ever been answered. Looking in their catalog, I don't see an answer. Looking at the specs listed here, it does appear its available in 220-240v -
http://www.tequipment.net/pdf/Hakko/936e199809a.pdf
Finding one may be a diff matter though.
http://www.tequipment.net/pdf/Hakko/936e199809a.pdf
Finding one may be a diff matter though.
10-22-2010, 05:45 AM
#5
http://www.hakko.com/
Click on your country or region.
If you purchase an iron in the US you can bet it will be 120v, but the distributor in your country or region can no doubt provide you with a 240v unit or point you to a reseller who can provide it.
The Hakko soldering stations are, unquestionably, the best going in terms of performance and durability. You can also get ANY little part you may come up needing from that same distributor. I bought one used that someone had bodged the handle/element/tip together from mis-matched components. I was able to get it sorted with help from the US agent and get the parts I needed. I have two stations, one for home and one for the track.
Click on your country or region.
If you purchase an iron in the US you can bet it will be 120v, but the distributor in your country or region can no doubt provide you with a 240v unit or point you to a reseller who can provide it.
The Hakko soldering stations are, unquestionably, the best going in terms of performance and durability. You can also get ANY little part you may come up needing from that same distributor. I bought one used that someone had bodged the handle/element/tip together from mis-matched components. I was able to get it sorted with help from the US agent and get the parts I needed. I have two stations, one for home and one for the track.
10-22-2010, 06:02 AM
#6
I'm happy with this 60 watt station from radiohack. I found it on sale for $69 so check your local store.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1
10-24-2010, 02:17 AM
#7
Tech Initiate
this is what i use and have used for the past 6 years....
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=4342791
60watt pencil tip iron with selectable wattage. and the price cannot be beat. pretty much the same as above without all the fancyness. and more portable specially if doing car audio installations.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=4342791
60watt pencil tip iron with selectable wattage. and the price cannot be beat. pretty much the same as above without all the fancyness. and more portable specially if doing car audio installations.
10-24-2010, 07:36 PM
#9
My Hakko makes my very expensive Weller look bad.
10-25-2010, 11:54 AM
#10
Especially since we aren't soldering batteries in all the time now, as an alternative, consider getting the ultimate soldering "gun" instead of a soldering "iron". It's a safer and smaller solution.
I have tested just about ever gun and the best is the Snap-on R490 400W with replaceable ceramic tips. Great news is, Craftsman has relabled it and selling it for only $60 at Sears.
This Snap-on gun starts at 400 Watts until it reaches 1000 degrees F. Then it drops automatically to 150 Watts to maintain temperature. This smaller tip is good for everyday soldering. (They have a 550W tip as seen in the picture which I used to love for soldering NiMH batteries, but that big tip is not really needed these days.) From room temperature to fully hot only takes about 10-15 seconds. Reheats in about 2-5 seconds. For me, that short delay is worth it for the safety aspect.
I prefer soldering guns because they are safer since they are only on when you squeeze the trigger. I can't tell you how many times I almost burnt myself on someone else's soldering iron that is constantly hot at the race track. I'm not going to burn my house down either by accidentally leaving an iron on. This soldering gun solves that problem.
I have tested just about ever gun and the best is the Snap-on R490 400W with replaceable ceramic tips. Great news is, Craftsman has relabled it and selling it for only $60 at Sears.
This Snap-on gun starts at 400 Watts until it reaches 1000 degrees F. Then it drops automatically to 150 Watts to maintain temperature. This smaller tip is good for everyday soldering. (They have a 550W tip as seen in the picture which I used to love for soldering NiMH batteries, but that big tip is not really needed these days.) From room temperature to fully hot only takes about 10-15 seconds. Reheats in about 2-5 seconds. For me, that short delay is worth it for the safety aspect.
I prefer soldering guns because they are safer since they are only on when you squeeze the trigger. I can't tell you how many times I almost burnt myself on someone else's soldering iron that is constantly hot at the race track. I'm not going to burn my house down either by accidentally leaving an iron on. This soldering gun solves that problem.
10-25-2010, 12:12 PM
#11
if i was soldering a nuclear reactor i would consider that one Hakko all the way awesome performer and cheap.
10-25-2010, 12:26 PM
#12
Seems like those are WAY overkill for what you're doing... 
10-25-2010, 03:57 PM
#13
$15 and a 60w weller is all you need.
10-26-2010, 01:30 PM
#14
Yeah, as I mentioned in my post, I only used the big tip for NiMH assembly. If you pick up the Craftsman Soldering Gun for $60, it comes with the right size tip for daily use.
