10th May 2006
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#1 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2006 Location: High Desert
Posts: 217
Thread Starter  | Decent first soldering station?
Any recommendations for a first soldering station of decent quality? I want something that will allow me some flexibility as I acquire more skills but doesn't cut too deep into my mic-lust fund. Any info/experience is helpful and appreciated. Thanks all-
Chafe
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The world of 'Gandharvas', wherein sound, as in song and music, is the prevailing quality of existence. (Tibet)
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10th May 2006
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#2 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2002 Location: New York, NY
Posts: 764
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Just get a Weller and be done with it. It'll last for years and you won't
out-grow it.
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11th May 2006
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: OH/Columbus
Posts: 4,793
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What about the Haiko 936?
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11th May 2006
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#4 | | Gear nut
Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 93
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Cheap soldering irons just can't tow the line. The handles get a little too warm; they break down, and you can't find replacement parts...I'd shoot to make your first soldering station potentially your last.
I've got an old Weller WCC 100 that keeps on ticking...I think it's 10 years old now.
A friend just got a Hakko, quite possibly the 936. I've used it, and it's also a good iron, but the tip it came with is a little blunt for my taste. We'll have to wait 10 years to see if it's as reliable as the Weller.
Byron Jacquot
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11th May 2006
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#5 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2006 Location: High Desert
Posts: 217
Thread Starter | Quote: |
Originally Posted by the scum Cheap soldering irons just can't tow the line. The handles get a little too warm; they break down, and you can't find replacement parts...I'd shoot to make your first soldering station potentially your last. | This is definately my thought Byron. I've used the cheapie plug in pen type things with the chisel nub tip and they are downright unfriendly to use. Thanks for the good recommendations all, especially for the model #'s. Cheers-
Chafe
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12th May 2006
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,042
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I'd go with a Weller, a weller, orrrrrr a weller. Your choice, but those are my top 3 if I had to buy another one, but the 3 I have have been around for 6years, 10 years and the bench unit is from school days and all are going strong.
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Without music, life would be a mistake - Nietzsche
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13th May 2006
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 597
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Tibbon What about the Haiko 936? | I solder all-day everyday. This is the station to buy...don't **** around with a Weller or anything else...
__________________ Resonant Electronic Design
"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." -Carl Sagan
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14th May 2006
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#8 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Storrs. CT
Posts: 92
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I have only had my Haiko 936 for about a year but so far it has been great. It's comfortable to use--fits me well I guess.
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14th May 2006
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,992
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Old habits are hard to break...
I've used a Weller W60 pencil for 30+ years now. Temperature controlled, various tip sizes available.
Bri
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14th May 2006
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#10 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2002 Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,610
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Well I am sick of Wellars, every one I have owned recently has blown up just out of warranty. The older ones were OK (circa 1985), but the newer ones I have not had much luck with, so our workshop only has Hakko's, which seem to truck on reliably, and the replacement tips are cheaper too.
Cheers
Tim.
__________________ "Opinions are like arse holes, everybody has one" Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) Visit Buzz Audio | |
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14th May 2006
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,485
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Weller! 
/Cojo
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17th May 2006
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#12 | | Gear addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 376
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Count another Hakko 936 here!
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18th May 2006
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#13 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,424
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Love my weller.
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18th May 2006
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#14 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 225
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Another vote for the Weller. They have a nice little digital model for ~$100 and you can new tips just about anywhere.
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18th May 2006
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#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,124
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Tim Farrant Well I am sick of Wellars, every one I have owned recently has blown up just out of warranty. The older ones were OK (circa 1985), but the newer ones I have not had much luck with, so our workshop only has Hakko's, which seem to truck on reliably, and the replacement tips are cheaper too.
Cheers
Tim. | I was going to get a Hakko. Tim, you sealed the deal. I'm sure your royalty check will arrive shortly.
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26th May 2006
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#16 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2006 Location: High Desert
Posts: 217
Thread Starter |
I've been gone for a couple of weeks so I haven't replied, but thanks for the ideas you guys. Looks like I can easily get into something for less than $100, which is good for me and the Gefell UMT-70S I'm trying to save for. thumbsup Appreciate your time-
Chafe
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28th May 2006
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#17 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Nashville
Posts: 186
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I love the 936, I also just got an 808 sucker that is possibly the coolest tech tool I have ever bought. It speeds things up incredibly.
Steve
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30th May 2006
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#18 | | Gear Head
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Florida
Posts: 33
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I have used Hakko 926's and 936's for years and, by far, find that these Irons are the superb! Quote: |
Originally Posted by primalsteve I love the 936, I also just got an 808 sucker that is possibly the coolest tech tool I have ever bought. It speeds things up incredibly.
Steve | | |
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30th May 2006
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#19 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Oct 2004 Location: winter park
Posts: 279
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Hakko 936. all size tips and they are real cheap.
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30th May 2006
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#20 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 160
| Pace
I picked up some used Pace equipment and love it. It included a vacum solder extractor system. Makes work a pleasure.
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30th May 2006
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#21 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: OH/Columbus
Posts: 4,793
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Seems that either the Hakko's or Weller's are just to taste really, and either will work in a shop with reasonable needs very well.
Hell of a lot better than the Radioshack iron that i can't wait to throw away!
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31st May 2006
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#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 885
| fwiw
ive got an old tennma.... its junk but it works well.... imo... the thing to look for is really availability of replacement tips/styles and temp controll comes it reall handy when your going from making 10 gauge speaker to lifting a surface mount opamp
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31st May 2006
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#23 | | Gear addict
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: oregon
Posts: 424
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and one more vote for the Hakko 936 | |
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