colterphoto1 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Got the work bench setup with parts bins in the shop just yesterday, got a hankering to solder something... It's time I had a nice one, flexible but not too spendy. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEC Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 For the money, hard to beat the Weller WLC100. Check around for the best price. http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/1980-0373 Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 That's the one Bob recommended for me a couple years ago. Easy to use, great instructions [Y][Y][Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Make sure you get a Weller product, they are the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Geeeezza, I thought you were talking about a real solder station that does a whole circuit board in about .1 seconds. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 "Make sure you get a Weller product, they are the best." At least until you try something better. Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Used to use weller, then hako, now pace (depending on what old irons they weredisposing of at work). they all worked fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
germerikan Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I´m more for Ersa. Keeps the heat great and the de-soldering function is wonderful. This is a newer one http://www.ersa.com/art-i-con2-with-solder-und-de-solder-irons-347-2138.html?fcid=b958876c44a8171ab52cdf2acf49f5b5 They are a bit pricey though. Luckily I needed it for work, hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlb945 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Your station should also include one of Lee Tingler's "SolderBuddy" units. These are handy for making your own cables. Take a look: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/67958 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Your station should also include one of Lee Tingler's "SolderBuddy" units. These are handy for making your own cables. Take a look: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/67958 I just use a small vice grip pliers, laid flat on it's side, to grip XLR's and 1/4" connectors. Use a curved hemostat to clamp the wire to the connector- works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 "Make sure you get a Weller product, they are the best." At least until you try something better. Shawn lol, ain't that the truth... I use MetCal stations on my bench at work and they are amazing...dunno how much they run for though. We used a Hakko in college and it was way better than any Weller I've ever used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 "I use MetCal stations on my bench at work and they are amazing...dunno how much they run for though." I haven't touched my Weller since I bought my Metcal. I bought a MX500 used on ebay for about $200 and then acquired a bunch of different tips for it as needed. For those that don't know Metcals big claim to fame is how fast their tips transfer heat. That means the joint is to temperature much quicker and you put less overall heat into the components being soldered. You can also use less temperature in the tip itself as you also don't get the temp. drop when you apply it to the components. From cold on with any standard tip you can literally be soldering in about 5 seconds from turn on. I've held the ground rings for chassis mount RCA jacks in my fingers while soldering a string of them together with perfect solder joints and the rest of the ring hasn't even gotten warm in my fingers. Just fantastic tools. I couldn't do the work I've been doing lately without one. Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 From cold on with any standard tip you can literally be soldering in about 5 seconds from turn on. I've held the ground rings for chassis mount RCA jacks in my fingers while soldering a string of them together with perfect solder joints and the rest of the ring hasn't even gotten warm in my fingers. That is awesome. If I duid this more than a few times a year I would buy one. I use a $100 job (Hako I think) that works well for my purposes but yours is definately worth the extra $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Yea, I'm using the MX500 too...it's real handy being able to switchback and forth between the pencil and talon - and like you say, ittakes seconds to heat up...even with the big flat tips for pulling ICs.And then the solder flows so fast it's like using a big pair oftweezers. Looks like they're about $1k new? []http://www.techni-tool.com/static-products/metcal/Metcal_MX_500.htmlI'm gonna have to watch Ebay for some used ones...at $200 it's totally worth it. Ialso like how long the Metcal tips last. I gotta replace the Wellersand Hakkos about once a year (and dare I say the Radioshack tips aboutonce a month), but we've got guys at work with the same tips for like3-5 years. The auto-off feature is pretty cool too. It'll detectwhen you're not soldering and turn off (like after 5 minutes orsomething like that), which is probably why the tips last so long. Iguess they can get away with it when it only takes seconds to heat upagain (which is about the time it takes to get the parts placed andready to go). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 We use both Weller and Pace in our lab both are good enough to perform work certified to IPC J STD 001. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 This will do all you need to do. Tip selection and technique are the most important as long as your iron has good heat control.. http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4tay Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I use a Hakko temp controlled/esd soldering station. Works pretty well. I also use a well lit area, and heat-sink clamps to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 ditto, got a vintage hakko from a forum member and absolutely love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindman Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 At one time I worked for a US Department of Defense (DoD) Contractor. I was a certified soldering instructor qualified for Navy Weapons Specification WS-6536E,. DOD-STD-2000, MIL-STD-2000, MIL-STD-2000A, and NASA Specification NHB5300.4. We used METCAL "temperature controlled" soldering irons and tips. Here is a discussion regarding this very topic: http://www.edaboard.com/ftopic75430.html YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4tay Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 At one time I worked for a US Department of Defense (DoD) Contractor. I was a certified soldering instructor qualified for Navy Weapons Specification WS-6536E,. DOD-STD-2000, MIL-STD-2000, MIL-STD-2000A, and NASA Specification NHB5300.4. We used METCAL "temperature controlled" soldering irons and tips. Here is a discussion regarding this very topic: http://www.edaboard.com/ftopic75430.html YMMV I was wondering for high relibility/mil spec soldering...how crucial/tightly controlled is the temperature? For crossover work I have set my station to 400 degrees for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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