Decent first soldering station?

snappydad · 10th May 2006

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

Phil Cibley · 10th May 2006

Just get a Weller and be done with it. It'll last for years and you won't
out-grow it.

Tibbon · 11th May 2006

What about the Haiko 936?

the scum · 11th May 2006

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

snappydad · 11th May 2006

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

XSergeantD · 12th May 2006

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.

Wes Kuhnley · 13th May 2006

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...

Dr Bob · 14th May 2006

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.

brianroth · 14th May 2006

Old habits are hard to break...

I've used a Weller W60 pencil for 30+ years now. Temperature controlled, various tip sizes available.

Bri

**Tim Farrant** · 14th May 2006

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.

Cojo · 14th May 2006

Weller!

/Cojo

mastermix · 17th May 2006

Count another Hakko 936 here!

astronmr20 · 18th May 2006

Love my weller.

needlz · 18th May 2006

Another vote for the Weller. They have a nice little digital model for ~$100 and you can new tips just about anywhere.

ozraves · 18th May 2006

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.

snappydad · 26th May 2006

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

primalsteve · 28th May 2006

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

Biaseelfsu · 30th May 2006

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

amorris · 30th May 2006

Hakko 936. all size tips and they are real cheap.

Westlake HR1 · 30th May 2006

I picked up some used Pace equipment and love it. It included a vacum solder extractor system. Makes work a pleasure.

Tibbon · 30th May 2006

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!

dementedchord · 31st May 2006

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

timmcallister · 31st May 2006

and one more vote for the Hakko 936

10th May 2006	#1
snappydad 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 __________________ The world of 'Gandharvas', wherein sound, as in song and music, is the prevailing quality of existence. (Tibet)

12th May 2006	#6
XSergeantD Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,036	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. __________________ - Brent - www.StudioAtThePalms.com Without music, life would be a mistake - Nietzsche Cake or Death? [/SIGPIC]

14th May 2006	#9
brianroth Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,818	Old habits are hard to break... I've used a Weller W60 pencil for 30+ years now. Temperature controlled, various tip sizes available. Bri __________________ Brian Roth Technical Services Oklahoma City, OK www.BrianRoth.com

14th May 2006	#10
Tim Farrant Moderator Joined: Jun 2002 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,410	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. __________________ "Come on, make my day" Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) Visit Buzz Audio

30th May 2006	#20
Westlake HR1 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. __________________ Living for Analog! The TRUE "State of the Art"

10th May 2006	#2
Phil Cibley Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 748	Just get a Weller and be done with it. It'll last for years and you won't out-grow it.

11th May 2006	#3
Tibbon Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,780 2 Reviews written	What about the Haiko 936?

11th May 2006	#4
the scum Gear nut Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 91	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

14th May 2006	#8
Dr Bob Gear nut Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Storrs. CT Posts: 81	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.

14th May 2006	#11
Cojo Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden! Posts: 1,471	Weller! /Cojo

17th May 2006	#12
mastermix Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 314 2 Reviews written	Count another Hakko 936 here!

18th May 2006	#13
astronmr20 Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 8,424	Love my weller.

18th May 2006	#14
needlz Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 224	Another vote for the Weller. They have a nice little digital model for ~$100 and you can new tips just about anywhere.

26th May 2006	#16
snappydad 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

28th May 2006	#17
primalsteve Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 184	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	#19
amorris Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2004 Location: winter park Posts: 279	Hakko 936. all size tips and they are real cheap.

31st May 2006	#22
dementedchord 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

31st May 2006	#23
timmcallister Gear addict Joined: Dec 2005 Location: oregon Posts: 421	and one more vote for the Hakko 936