Posted by healthyfatboy on February 7, 2011 at 9:05am
So, my birthday is coming up soon and I thought I would upgrade my soldering iron since my wife asks what I want. I have a cheapo $7 radio shack iron and wanted something better. I do work with soldering small electronics (like ArduPilot boards and the like) but I also do stuff for my general r/c like Deans connectors to my batteries and other items to keep things running. What irons do you use and what would you recommend?Thanks!
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Nice price, tip selection, high wattage, digital, etc...
I like the tip style, easy to use and they have heating elements in each tip. Tips are $10, standard one is good. I bought a finer point for fine pitch SMD soldering, but I ended up using the standard one since solder doesn't stay on the tip of the fine pitch one. The drag soldering tip is great too.
Its better than more expensive weller's ive used. My only complaint is that the sponge that comes with it is a bit thin.
When I bought this, I was told it was targeted at production environments (made in china, for china). Its sturdy and I have not had a problem. I think this is what Sparkfun uses in their production.
To work on the small stuff, get an Antex, 12W ("M12") or 15W ("C15"). Or the 18W if you must. About $25-$27 including plated iron tip & shipping. Extra tips are $4.50.
I normally prefer the small, flat tip (screwdriver or chisel type -- heat transfer sometimes better) but on this one the pointy tip works fine. The tip slips *over* the heating element, rather than into it. No set screw coming loose on you.
They heat up Quickly.
Really "pencil" dimensions, not fist size.
Tip is grounded so it is safe on sensitive electronics.
The only con is that the 3-wire power cord is stiff. Really stiff when new. You can massage it a little and it gets a bit more flexy. You need to route it so that the cord doesn't fight you. Oh, and the little stamped metal stand goes into the recycling. Use a real iron stand.
Replies
http://sra-solder.com/product.php/6363/22
Nice price, tip selection, high wattage, digital, etc...
I like the tip style, easy to use and they have heating elements in each tip. Tips are $10, standard one is good. I bought a finer point for fine pitch SMD soldering, but I ended up using the standard one since solder doesn't stay on the tip of the fine pitch one. The drag soldering tip is great too.
Its better than more expensive weller's ive used. My only complaint is that the sponge that comes with it is a bit thin.
When I bought this, I was told it was targeted at production environments (made in china, for china). Its sturdy and I have not had a problem. I think this is what Sparkfun uses in their production.
If you get the bug to get a Weller, do as Taylor suggests and get one of the digitally controlled ones with temp feedback from the grounded tip.
Do not get the $35-50 red "hobby" one with the fat fisted iron. If that is all you need, put a dimmer switch in a box and plug the RS iron into it.
To work on the small stuff, get an Antex, 12W ("M12") or 15W ("C15"). Or the 18W if you must. About $25-$27 including plated iron tip & shipping. Extra tips are $4.50.
I normally prefer the small, flat tip (screwdriver or chisel type -- heat transfer sometimes better) but on this one the pointy tip works fine. The tip slips *over* the heating element, rather than into it. No set screw coming loose on you.
They heat up Quickly.
Really "pencil" dimensions, not fist size.
Tip is grounded so it is safe on sensitive electronics.
The only con is that the 3-wire power cord is stiff. Really stiff when new. You can massage it a little and it gets a bit more flexy. You need to route it so that the cord doesn't fight you. Oh, and the little stamped metal stand goes into the recycling. Use a real iron stand.
Here's the company page: http://www.antex.co.uk/prodtype.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=180&...
Here's the US eBay store. http://myworld.ebay.com/antexusa/