Topic: What soldering irons/stations to people use and prefer?

[Kevin]

Just wondering what soldering irons people use to make their cables.  Ive gone through two which either took too long to heat up, no power setting (just one temp.), etc. and am looking for a really good one, so all suggestions welcome.
preciate it
Kevin M

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I've always liked the Weller stuff.   I have a WP25 pencil for home and when I have access to a lab, the adjustable temperature stations are sweet.  http://www.arcade-electronics.com/cooper/cooper.htm


Here's a decent inexpensive station that will work for most of what you would do at home: http://www.arcade-electronics.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=350

[nickgregory]

Second the Weller...I got a nice one off of ebay for $50 a couple of years ago...

[bkirby]

I have this one (http://www.arcade-electronics.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=350) and have been using it for quite a while now with no problems. Lots of tips to add on as well...

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I have this one (http://www.arcade-electronics.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=350) and have been using it for quite a while now with no problems. Lots of tips to add on as well...

I want one of those.  Sometimes my 25W pencil is not enough power, which is why I use the lab equipment when I can.  That price is pretty good for a new unit.  There is a high end one with digital temperature display on ebay right now.

[sanaka]

I had the Weller linked to above for years. It more or less did the job, but took quite a while to heat up, was a little short on heat sometimes even though I always ran it full blast, it just felt cheezy, and I just never found it 'nice' to use. It was finally time to upgrade, and I got this one from Contact East.



It's a quantum leap upwards in quality and pleasantness to use. Heats up lickety split, temp stays stable, and has heat to spare. The adjustable temp is for real, I've never needed to dial it all the way up. It's $100 though.

For the $50 the Weller would cost you, I'd go for this onefromCircuit Specialists:



It's known as the "Hakko Clone" due to it's being a clone of the Hakko 936 iron, and has recieved many accolades over at head-fi (especialy when it was still only $35!).

Peace,
Sanaka

[Nick's Picks]

dont get "cold heat"...