Good stuff all, thanks

I had my brother inlaw solder some EC5 plugs for my starter box, he used one of them small gas soldering iron/torch, it worked well & was quick to, not sure what brand etc but there's a few different types out there.

+1 I love this iron

you should be able to find these for around $40-45 now. I paid $45 at sears.
I also just bought a Hakko FX888d. (yes it's a real one not a counterfeit) the weller works just as good with the same sized tips. it doesn't heat up as fast or recover as fast but for track side repairs and light duty use it's a better value than the hakko. also, it's smaller and lighter so it packs up better in your bags.
I bought the hakko because everyone on here is so in love with it. but honestly, I was a little disappointed with it. because I fully expected to be wowed by it after having the weller. but the weller is more than adequate for RC stuff. the hakko is a much better station but it's more suited in a electronics repair shop. there is nothing rc related that need this caliber of a soldering station. it's serious overkill and just not needed.


and a pic so no one thinks I'm full of it.


check out B&D enterprises on Ebay. they accept offers on the hakko fx888d. I can't make any promises but they accepted my offer of $85 with free shipping. probably would do $80 I bet.
also, I just want to warn you guys, there are a lot of reported counterfeit Hakko's being sold on the internet.
only buy them from a factory authorized dealer. the B&D place is a legit hakko dealer and can be found on hakko's website as such. that's why I bought it from them.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/www*bdent*co...p2047675.l2559

GOOD INFO Sir. Thank you for your insight

We went all the way with a GOOT, can't fault it... but...

The tip is as important as the system.

These are commonly used ->

These are my favourite ->

+1

Got mine a couple of weeks ago and it is the best, gets hot quick. Worth the $$$.

Also keep in mind guys any time you change the tip size the temp reading is going to be off. I have a temp sensor for my multimeter and it said the temp was almost 100 deg off when i put a 5mm tip in it. The hakko allows you to adjust this and i was able to get it to read within 1 deg of the tip actual temp

Never even thought of that. Actually explains some issues on my Hakko. Looks like ill have to do some calibration.

I have this one in my pit bag. It works as good as my Hakko.

http://smile.amazon.com/PSI100K-Supe...soldering+iron

I use a Weller with a power base, have had it for over 12 years and still works perfect.

Many good suggestions on here for irons. With regard to what you're soldering, be sure to put the male/female connectors together on the Deans when soldering them so they stay aligned when making a connection. On the EC5's, make sure you limit the amount of tinning you apply to the iron when heating the outside of the bullets (when inserting a pre-tinned wire into the bullet), otherwise they're a real pain to insert into the plastic housing.

Hako is great so is the trakpower but if your not going to do a lot of soldering grab a 40 watt weller from Home Depot used them they work great cheap and if you want to upgrade later it's good for the pit bag on race day