Recommend soldering iron

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Please can anyone recommend a modern soldering iron that has temperature control, replaceable tips, suitable for a wide range of electronics soldering, and won’t break the bank?

When I was working we used Weller which were good.  Then I bought quite a good “soldering station” from Maplin which ate tips.  I found that Weller tips fitted it, but then it packed up anyway.  Currently I have a £30 eBay special which has variable temperature and works quite well but the tips are prone to oxidising.  In a university lab recently I used a Metcal which  seems excellent but costs a fortune.  What I want is something which has tips that I can rely on to be available when the few supplied with the iron wear out, and also I can get replaceable elements.  In the past I’ve run the gauntlet of Adcola, Antex, Henley Solon and all the rest and I don’t want anything like those!

[Wink HackmanParticipant @winkhackman25989]

I recommend one of the T12 soldering stations readily available on AliExpress, Amazon etc. Mine is a Quecoo T12-956, there are multiple brands, they’re all clones of the Hakko original.  For under £50 (AliExpress price) you get a base station, handle and several swappable tips.  It takes only 8 seconds to come up to temperature, and shuts down when not in use. Temperature is instantly adjustable with digital display. Only negative is that I couldn’t find a T12 set that came with a holder for the slimline handle, so I had to make up a sleeve to go in my existing holder. I still have an older Xytronic station and tip, which was my staple iron for years, but I never use it now because the T12 system is so convenient.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

I’ve just replaced my ancient broken 15W Antex with an Antex 690D solder station, 55w, and it works well.  Shopped around and found one for £165 VAT & p&p included.

The iron’s lead is silicone rubber, heat proof and flexible – much better than a stiff PVC cable.

I owned a solder station before and found that the tips were non-standard.   Antex tips are common,

A friend swore by Weller, I got on better with Antex, and he hated them.  They both soldered, it was about feel.  I guess how users take to the weight and balance of irons is a personal thing.

Dave

 

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I suppose it depends on how much you mean by breaking the bank, but there is a good number of soldering stations with temperature control/adjustment, with prices from reasonably low to high from  Maplin

Regards Nick.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

For anyone who is not aware the best tips are nickel plated (unless something new has come along in the last 40 years) but must NOT be filed or sandpapered at all ever. The sponge provided is kept damp and when hot the tip can be wiped off. Once the nickel is penetrated the solder starts to alloy with the copper and gradually eat it. Then fit new tip.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I use a Hakko FX951 which is excellent (except the clunky menu) it uses the common T12 tips. I also have a Miniware TS100 as my portable soldering iron. Again excellent!

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I still have my 15W Antex.  Not used for some years.

Now use an Antex TCSU1, used but which cost nothing, about 30 years ago – being discarded when a college department closed down.  Still works well, and used fairly regularly – but not heavily – these days.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Having looked at several of the units at a range of prices many seem to use the same tips and elements as the one I now have, even the same actual handpiece.  Seems like the tips and elements are similarly standard so I’ll buy some new tips and solder on !

Thanks again.

[Wink HackmanParticipant @winkhackman25989]

If you’re already using T12 tips, the quality does vary – I’ve had mostly good but some not so good.  I expect that you get what you pay for, maybe it’s worth shelling out for genuine Hakko ones?

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