Soldering Irons.

[Raguri]

Hello all.
So, Raguri's heavy hand has struck again (Well, it struck before vapefest, but shhh).
I am in need of a new cheap soldering iron to get me through another few box builds...

I have two things though:
Not gas, as I've killed so many gas ones I want to cry... As they're not cheap eiither...
Replacable Tips so I can alternate between Flat tip, and pointed...

And cheap..
So three things...

 

[erndub]

I've always had Weller soldering irons, but they're not cheap. I do get them at a better rate though because I'm a buyer for a hardware store. Silverline do a range of soldering irons. Although I've never had one returned I would be wary of their longevity. Draper might be a possible contender too.

 

[erndub]

I did make the mistake of going for a 15w Weller recently. Although its a nice little thing, comfortable and built in LEDs it's just not powerful enough for what I use it for. 25w seems a good go to for me.

 

[Raguri]

I did make the mistake of going for a 15w Weller recently. Although its a nice little thing, comfortable and built in LEDs it's just not powerful enough for what I use it for. 25w seems a good go to for me.

Well, I had a silverline 60watt... And fsr, it just died one morning.
Lasted a total of a month and half. Wasn't impressed...
Tried contacting seller on amazon, but nothing. Nada. zilch.

So, sod it. I want a half decent iron anyway, probably around 40w as 60w was far too much for what I need it for.

 

[erndub]

The first one Weller I've got I have had since I was 14! So I can't fault their staying power. I guess you get what you pay for. I've always found Silverline's electrical range dubious. Their spanners and (some) hand tools (you have to be wary and selective) are pleasantly surprising!

 

[Chegs]

Your not the only one kills irons,I'm on about my 12th since last summer when both irons I bought off a mate 20+ years ago quit.I've tried buying an expensive " soldering station" with variable power (lasted about 2 months) and am presently using one of the cheapest irons Halfords stocked.Each iron works flawlessly and then whilst it is unplugged it dies. It has actually had me considering building my own fecking iron(my dad built one from an old coat-hanger for the handle,and the tip was created from "work acquired" hardware but it only ran on 12 volts)but the idea vanished from my head (as usual) long before I resumed messing with the PC.

If I remember,I'll try and look up the required hardware(can't recall what the "resin" like coated wire is called)and I'll have tips from old irons,plus the handles etc as I hoard junk(if I hide it from the GF)

 

[Raguri]

The first one Weller I've got I have had since I was 14! So I can't fault their staying power. I guess you get what you pay for. I've always found Silverline's electrical range dubious. Their spanners and (some) hand tools (you have to be wary and selective) are pleasantly surprising!

To be honest, it did get an absolute sh*t ton of abuse...
As in, Car wiring harnesses, 8awg copper wire, and daily 510 resolderings whilst I was testing a connector out... >.>
Oh, and a night of being left on after Mum flicked the wrong bloody switch on the extension lead!

So, no wonder it died really...

Tempted to get a solder gun for the giggles, but that may be a tad OTT...

 

[erndub]

I've heard and seen good things about soldering guns. I'm sceptical of the warm up times of them, because I've never owned one. But from what I can tell they perform very well. Somehow I am sensing that a more expensive one is the way to go.

 

[peps1]

budget?

 

[Raguri]

budget?

Ideally around 20... 30 at a push if it's a kit (Ie, with a stand etc as I also don't have that...) haha