Soldering iron recommendations

[MG1]

Any thoughts on a solid accurate and controllable station?

I'm looking to move on from a fairly basic maplin entry level model to something with a little more control and probably finer tips.

Your best suggestions for solder appreciated too.

I've seen lots in the rS catalogue, but prices range hugely and I'm looking at under £100 ideally, unless someone can seriously justify benefits of spending more.

Will be used for the DIY cmoy I'm thinking about to get me started.

Thanks peeps and let me know if I've posted in the wrong section.

[Thing Fish]

There was a thread recently regarding solder. I think the result I think may be useful to you.

The concensus was that the old lead solder is so much better than the new lead free stuff which has a higher melting point. It seems the lead free stuff is still availiable if you hunt a little.

[quickie]

We use Ersa & Pace at work.Metcal are nice as well.

Will be used ones for £100 though.The Pace ST-50 is around £175 new.

60/40 Solder or SN-62 for any silver wires.

Paul.

[MartinT]

I use an Antex temperature controlled soldering iron, like this one:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169036?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products

60/40 solder is best, if you can get it. The new stuff is very much more difficult to use.

[MCRU]

antex or weller and I use Oyaide solder as its necessary to use silver solder for my cables which don't need solder very often but the odd ones do.

[Beechwoods]

I have one of these. I like being able to have control over the temperature for different sorts of jobs. It comes with a few different nibs, and spares are cheap as chips as well.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/48w-lcd-display-solder-station-98133

[howlindawg]

I've been using a Weller WHS 40D soldering station for the last few months and it seems ideal for a hobbiest.
Digital temp control (150-450) , readily available and easily switchable tips and at the right pricepoint.

Farnell have them for £100 ish. >click< (http://uk.farnell.com/weller/whs-40d-eu/soldering-station-digital-eu/dp/1523763)

[MG1]

Cheers for the suggestions.
Going to do some more digging when I get home tonight.

Out of interest is silver solder only for silver contacts or would all joints benefit? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

[colinB]

Solder is a good conductor any way. No need for silver, its just a hassle.
Temperature thermostats are the best. I have a Antax which is constant temp and its not nearly as good as my weller from my apprentice days. The tips seem to burn out very quickly.

[chrism]

I use a Weller SP25L which is good and hot and cheap but the tips melt relatively quickly especially with any "flux" type solders.

Regards

[MG1]

Do I need to worry about electrostatic discharge with cheaper irons...none of these SP25L or WHS40(D) seem to mention it, but others that are twice the price (and then some) mention it as essential for electronics.

Am I shooting myself in the foot? Should I save up and get a better iron. Might mean putting the caiman on hold for a bit...but if it meant I could mod it easier then it would be worth it I fink.

[UV101]

I do loads and loads of mods. The Iron is on for at least 5hrs per week and I use this one.

You can get replacement tips and the actual iron part itself is replaceable too (maplin on line only) I searched about for ages and this is massive improvement to the antex std irons I've always used up to trying this. This iron punches miles above its price! Temp control and its 60w which means it will deal with large speaker terminals and soldered heat sinks when you turn it up and remain in control enough t deal with surface mount stuff! Definitely recommended for £69.99!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/60w-lcd-display-solder-station-218050

http://images.maplin.co.uk/full/n89cz.jpg

[MartinT]

I've never taken electrostatic precautions and I've soldered all manner of stuff, including a full computer mainboard and surface mount stuff, without problems.

[MG1]

Wow...now that's an impressive project! What iron do you use?

It's probably me just worrying unnecessarily as I'm new to things electronic.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think it's a toss up between the maplin unit around £70 or the weller 40D around £100.

At the moment I'll prob get the the maplin then be able to get the caiman gatorised straight away.

Thanks everyone.
Michael

[MartinT]

See post #4.

[UV101]

Solder is a good conductor any way. No need for silver, its just a hassle.
Temperature thermostats are the best. I have a Antax which is constant temp and its not nearly as good as my weller from my apprentice days. The tips seem to burn out very quickly.

I found that which is why I went to the maplin unit. I had reservations as I'd always used a branded iron normally Antex. I've not looked back. I spent most of the last year (up to 6 months ago ;);) ) working from home and this iron was on every day all day! the original heater only lasted about 8 months but it is a decent hobby iron not a professional jobbie which is why it cost 1/5 of the equiv weller or similar! It had probably done more hrs than most peoples do in a lifetime!! The replacement iron was £9.99! bargain. The tips last about 5 times longer then the antes ones I was using and they are cheaper. to make sure I dont fall foul to the maplin "we dont sell that anymore" I have 3 spare irons and loads of tips!!!

The only other thing I would make sure you have is a seperate stand with a damp cleaning sponge. You cant solder anything with a dirty tip. This is a must.

As mentioned, silver solder is harder to solder with. It has a higher melting point and trents to dull when it cools. For most part I use decent normal solder (non audio) for audio work I use mundorf and for anything actually in the audio path I use mundorf silver/gold which is very nice but bloody expensive!!!
:cool:

[MG1]

See post #4.

oops sorry...was on tapatalk and didn't make the link :doh: