Soldering Irons.

[erndub]

I found this: WELSP25NUK | Weller Soldering Iron with LED Light 25 Watt 240v.

Which is hard to beat even at trade price!

 

[peps1]

Well, as someone who makes their living soldering, I would say avoid a pen style fixed temperature iron at all cost, even from the big name brands!

If you don't have the budget for a decent HAKKO or Weller soldering station, then at least go for a Asian clone that will let you use HAKKO tips and Heating Element (99% of the time its the Elements failing in your iorn, and going with a HAKKO clone, you can then replace theses or about £3 in the future).

I'd say get a HAKKO 936 clone, or 963D (the D is for digital display), old school, but a classic.

You can pick up a 936 clone for ~£20 on ebay and HAKKO tips for about £3

312086 936 Electronic Soldering Rework Station 400 Degrees Temperature Control | eBay

 

[Tubbyengineer]

If you're going to solder a lot on varied items you really need this - 60W Professional LCD Solder Station with ESD Protection | Maplin It's the one I use, heats up fast, fully controllable and all the replacement tip types easily available...

Failing that, this is probably the best bet for you...Antex 25W Soldering Iron Type XS (Silicone Cable) | Maplin

Its a bit warm for really fine work but should be fine for most things if you heatsink the more delicate components before you solder them...

 

[Raguri]

Well, as someone who makes their living soldering, I would say avoid a pen style fixed temperature iron at all cost, even from the big name brands!

If you don't have the budget for a decent HAKKO or Weller soldering station, then at least go for a Asian clone that will let you use HAKKO tips and Heating Element (99% of the time its the Elements failing in your iorn, and going with a HAKKO clone, you can then replace theses or about £3 in the future).

I'd say get a HAKKO 936 clone, or 963D (the D is for digital display), old school, but a classic.

You can pick up a 936 clone for ~£20 on ebay and HAKKO tips for about £3

312086 936 Electronic Soldering Rework Station 400 Degrees Temperature Control | eBay

Think we have a winner here!

 

[johnnycab]

Failing that, this is probably the best bet for you...Antex 25W Soldering Iron Type XS (Silicone Cable) | Maplin
Its a bit warm for really fine work but should be fine for most things if you heatsink the more delicate components before you solder them...

I have the 18W version and got it for £6ish from Maplins 15 years ago approx., which included the stand and a couple of fine tips + some crappy solder. Although it not a shit-hot iron and despite the flaws it has served me extremely well. However, I am really amazed at how much they are charging for it now!

 

[Tubbyengineer]

Think we have a winner here!

Cheap and cheerful but should do the Job, hers the white label version of the Maplin one - at the same price I paid for it...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-Professional-LCD-Digital-Soldering-Iron-Station-Kit-ESD-Anti-Static-Safe-/111705771779?hash=item1a022ecf03

 

[Raguri]

Cheap and cheerful but should do the Job, hers the white label version of the Maplin one - at the same price I paid for it...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-Professional-LCD-Digital-Soldering-Iron-Station-Kit-ESD-Anti-Static-Safe-/111705771779?hash=item1a022ecf03

936 Digital Electronic Soldering Rework Station 60W Temperature Control 312087 | eBay

One I bought... >.>

Purely as I love the fact that I can replace the element... haha

 

[Tubbyengineer]

936 Digital Electronic Soldering Rework Station 60W Temperature Control 312087 | eBay

One I bought... >.>

Purely as I love the fact that I can replace the element... haha

Good man, now you can use steak knives for eating steak...

 

[Raguri]

Good man, now you can use steak knives for eating steak...

I may have tried that with the blued knife I had.
I may have heated it too much.
Its a little bit... Uuuh... Broken >.>

 

[relaxedguyse]

Anyone use

Does anyone use the lidl \ Aldi soldering station ?