Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

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Diocide
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Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Diocide »

Hey. I finally want to upgrade from my pencil style iron and get s small station. Obviously looking at Weller, but I wants to know if you guys know of any other brands that are good and not crzy expensive. Looking to spend around 50$, which I'd right where the Weller wlc100 falls.

Any other ones I should look at? It I'll mainly be used for guitar stuff, but I might also be doing some pedal builds for a friend.
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atrox
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by atrox »

I have been using this for about 8 years now. Original tip still. Heats up in seconds. I have never had a soldering iron last me for more than a couple years before this one. I love it and use it constantly in my shop. It's a bit more than $50, but so worth it.

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Diocide
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Diocide »

Wow. That actually looks really nice, and they price isn't too bad. Maybe I'll grab one of those instead. Thanks for the heads up!
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Country-Butter »

I'm using a Hakko FX-888. Awesome unit and has worked flawlessly. Not too much more than your budget. Heats quick and variable temps.
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by TurboPablo »

I've got a Hakko 936 that works killer. Bought it for, I think, $90 on Ebay.
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Diocide
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Diocide »

Yeah, I'm thinking I might as well bite the bullet and just get a nice one. A buddy of mine makes custom pedals and amps, so if wanted to give him a hand with builds, at least I won't be using a crap iron that lifts the pads or traces on PCB's.

It's funny. I'm a plumber and I can solder copper pipe with my eyes closed, but give me a PCB and I'm like an ape trying to thread a needle. :D
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by J.R. »

Gotta have some SOUL.
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TurboPablo
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by TurboPablo »

Diocide wrote:Yeah, I'm thinking I might as well bite the bullet and just get a nice one. A buddy of mine makes custom pedals and amps, so if wanted to give him a hand with builds, at least I won't be using a crap iron that lifts the pads or traces on PCB's.

It's funny. I'm a plumber and I can solder copper pipe with my eyes closed, but give me a PCB and I'm like an ape trying to thread a needle. :D


Probably because there is no poo involved.

Seriously, I love my Hakko. Weller makes a great station too.

A friend had these Solder stations with a self feeding solder reel in them. Heat up the joint, press the button and the solder would feed right in. Almost a one handed deal. Unfortunately, I've never been able too find them anywhere. If I could, I would snatch one up in a heartbeat.
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Diocide
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Diocide »

Almost sounds like a MIG welder... That's wild!
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by TurboPablo »

That's a perfect analolgy.

I just wish I could find one.
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Yarbicus »

Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40- ... er+station

Image

Under $45 and works like a champ! Been using mine for about 5 years with no hitches.
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Re: Need a soldering station. Suggestions?

Post by Ostinato Rubato »

Yarbicus wrote:Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40- ... er+station

Image

Under $45 and works like a champ! Been using mine for about 5 years with no hitches.


this is what I have too and it's decent except it's a little too thick (not what she said)
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