Budget Soldering Station

[twk123]

Hey I am looking at getting my first soldering iron so I can replace caps on my crossovers etc and get into the hobby. I checked Amazon and these two appear to be good options. Do any of you guys have experience with either one or have a different iron to recommend? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Aoyue 469:

http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-Variable-Soldering-Station-Removable/dp/B00MCVCHJM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1449702088&sr=8-12&keywords=soldering+iron

 

Weller WLC 100

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1449702088&sr=8-5&keywords=soldering+iron

[wvu80]

My only advice is don't cheap out.  I built my DIY XO's with my $10 Rat Shak soldering pencil and I don't think it ever got hot enough to properly heat the wire so it could flow the solder. 

 

Regarding the kits you linked to from Amazon, I would caution not to fall prey to the "#1 best selling."  Sometimes that's because they have sold them for a long time, and sometimes they sell a lot of them because they are cheap.

 

You will get good answers, but I would also suggest you pose that question (or maybe search) on the DIY speakers and subs section of avs.com

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/

 

These kits from Parts-Express are probably pretty solid.  The lower priced models have more reviews than the expensive ones.

 

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/soldering-stations/516

 

If you don't mind, post here what you decide to buy, and why.  I'm looking for a soldering station so I can re-do the cold solders on the above mentioned XO's as one of the speakers is more dull sounding than the other due to poor decision making skills of the cheap owner/operator. 

 

Obviously, choosing a proper soldering station is not a decision that should be left to me. 

Edited December 10, 2015 by wvu80

[jimjimbo]

I bought this, and I like it very much.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111037604057

[WMcD]

I know you don't want to spend $100 but I think you should.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRC2XU/ref=s9_al_bw_g469_i4

I used half a dozen pencil types, and larger, over the years, which were in retrospect a waste of good money, and finally sprung for the Weller temperature controlled unit. Note this is not the simple variable power type.

With the Weller, soldering is relaxing rather than distressing procedure. The non-temperature controlled always seemed too hot or too cold. And you're trying to heat things up and not heat them up too much and damage a component or the printed circuit board.

There are other brands for about the same price. But you really, really, need the temperature controlled type. I can't say enough about how it changed soldering for me.

WMcD

[Arkytype]

jimjimbo, the X-Tronic 4010 soldering station look like a great deal. Lots of goodies for $90.00.   

 

Parts-Express has the Stahl TCSS on sale for under $50.00. I bought several for a university lab and they work great. Be sure to get the TSRT replacement tip set--4 for under $5.00.

 

http://www.parts-express.com/stahl-tools-tcss-temp-controlled-soldering-station-esd-safe--374-200

 

http://www.parts-express.com/stahl-tools-tsrt-4-piece-soldering-tip-kit-for-tcss--374-202

 

I've been using the Weller WES51 for several years mainly because of the variety of solder tips available. It has auto shutoff and you can lock the temperature setting. For de-soldering those not-quite-right connections on your networks, get yourself an Edsyn Soldapulit---best thing since sliced bread. Also a roll of de-soldering wick will come in handy in tight places. Get some paste flux, a roll of quality 63/37 solder, quality hand tools and have at it! 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Edsyn-Deluxe-Soldapullt-Heavy-Vacuum/dp/B006GOKVKI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449709533&sr=8-1&keywords=edsyn+soldapullt

 

Lee

[WMcD]

I agree the Stahl looks good. Again, temperature controlled.

I also agree about the solder. I bought some and it works very well. That mix does not have a slushy stage, the slushy stage between solid and liquid causes "cold" solder joints.

A bulb type solder sucker is great. The nozzle can get clogged but a drill bit or a big paper clip will clear it using some reasonable force.

My adventure with paste flux was not good. The solder has enough in my experience.

WMcD

[The Dude]

I have the Stahl and works great.  My wife picked it up for me for Christmas one year for a great price.  Keep your eyes peeled for a sale.

[billybob]

There is one linked for $48 from partsX-press. Good input running here for others like me who did the cheapo route in the past...ouch that burns,lol.

[minermark]

When i first started soldering at age 10, i was using a wood burner, anybody remember those?

With the radio hobby/Ham/TV repair, dad bought me a fairly decent one at the time, 1960s.

That lasted for 20 years, then for the next 20 years iv owned/lost/burned up every type out there.

Went wih Weller temp controlled, 15 years now, and have never looked back.

Quality/parts/well made, you get what you pay for.

[wvu80]

I just got a discount code from PE "just for me" $5 for orders over $75.  Maybe it will work for you too.  Use the discount code at checkout:

 

MYSAVE5

Edited December 10, 2015 by wvu80

[Arkytype]

Gil,  

 

Amen to bulb-type solder suckers--just keep a small drill bit handy for removing clogs. You are correct about the need for solder paste; as long as your component leads are clean , you shouldn't need any. Scotch-Brite pads are great for removing oxidation without damaging the leads.

 

My first real  soldering iron was the Ungar Imperial 6200 (40-watt). You could get solder tips with gold plating! Those suckers lasted forever. eBay has several NOS Imperial irons and gold-plated tips. 

 

Lee

[twk123]

Thanks for all the advice here! I am going to go with the Stahl Iron from parts-express as it has an actual temp control and looks like a good deal. The station itself looks solid as well. I will keep you guys posted on my first projects with it. Im probably going to upgrade the caps on my Lepai Class T amp so my speakers dont pop etc then do the caps on my KG 5.5.

[wvu80]

Make suggestions, please?  I'm ready to buy a soldering station.  Budget is $100, but you know how that goes.  For another ten bucks I could have had...

 

I will be doing speaker crossovers, I don't see me doing much else.  I immediately plan to de-solder at least two DIY speakers I think have cold solder joints.  My early DIY XO's are simply ugly!  My use will be "light" my skill level is elementary, just above novice.

 

I've listed a few other models, some with more tips, one with a lamp.  I really like the digital readouts, but for what little I will be doing, the analog Weller WES51 would be fine.  I've found others for the same or less, listed below.

 

My default choice was the Weller WES51, $112 from PE, but then I saw it at Amazon for $20 less. 

 

 

 

 

This one has a digital readout, and 45 watts for $65.  A lower price wouldn't bother me in the least as long as it meets my rather meager needs, and meets the minimum standards others have advised earlier in this thread.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30QBW/ref=pd_luc_rh_vpss_b3_01_01_t_img_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is $85, has extra tips, and is sexy to boot!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSW69LI/ref=pd_luc_rh_vpss_b3_01_02_t_img_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1

About what about this Ebay beauty for $91?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-TRONIC-4000-SERIES-MODEL-4010-XTS-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-COMPLETE-KIT-/111037604057?

Edited April 14, 2016 by wvu80

[Marvel]

After wading through the whole thread (again), my take away best has only a couple points

1. Replacement tips should be easy to come by.

2. It should be temp controlled, not just adjustable. What do I mean? The tip on most irons will drop when you touch the components to be soldered, making for slower soldering. A temp controlled tip has a sensor that, upon detecting that temperature drop, applies more current to the tip and it comes back to the correct temp more quickly. REALLY makes a difference. You can get fancy/shmancy, but that's the really important thing making a clean and quick joint. Less chance of hurting the component or board/traces.

 

Mine was about $100 over 20 yrs ago, a cheap one but it still works fine. Generic one that my former boss bought for us to use. When the business shut down, the tools were given away.

 

The Weller that Gil posted would be fine, I never used any of the others.

 

Bruce

[wvu80]

2. It should be temp controlled, not just adjustable. What do I mean?

 

Thanks, that's a good explanation.  I never quite got the meaning of that expression.  I knew I wanted one, I just didn't know why.

 

Can I eliminate any of the ones I referred to, above ^^^?  It's hard for me to interpret the terminology because of the advertising fluff.

 

As I read it, only the last one listed, X-tronic has that feature; "The #4010-XTS now also features Magic Temperature Compensation Technology..."

 

The Weller has "Tip Temperature Offset Capability" whatever that is.

Edited April 14, 2016 by wvu80

[CECAA850]

Look at this.  I just got one and absolutely love it.  When I was researching stations, this one kept coming up.  It had the best reviews and rightly so.

[jimjimbo]

I have the x tronic and it has worked well

[wvu80]

Look at this.  I just got one and absolutely love it.  When I was researching stations, this one kept coming up.  It had the best reviews and rightly so.

 There were several good ones recommended above, I went with the Hakko Digital FX888D

you recommended, Carl

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Digital-FX888D-Soldering-Station/dp/B00AWUFVY8

 

 

I also took Marvel's advice ^^^ and got some extra tips. 

 

I picked up a pound of Kester Solder 44, which is 60/40.  Considering all the soldering projects I've done, this pound should last me the rest of my life.  I could have gotten less, but then I end up paying more to make runs out to Radio Shack (remember them?) when I run out.

 

I know this is only a hundred dollar expenditure but you wouldn't believe how much time I spend analyzing and studying every little detail to make sure I get the exact right thing, and for some reason ten bucks seems to matter.  I just get stuck and don't do anything.  I'll let you know how this comes out with my crossover re-do.

 

Thanks to all who advised and got me off of dead center so I can get moving and re-start my projects again.

Edited April 21, 2016 by wvu80

[jimjimbo]

Looks great! Have fun with that

[wvu80]

Looks great! Have fun with that

 

Thanks, Jim, that is the plan. 

 

The problem is that soldering is NOT currently fun,  It makes me extremely nervous doing DIY crossovers because I'm afraid I will screw them up, which I did.  I have two DIY crossover projects I know I screwed up because in each instance, one speaker sounds great, the other side sounds dull, about 3 db down from the good sounding speaker. 

 

Here, I have proof of my lousy work. 

 

FYI I liked the Ebay station you recommended as well, but my wife was purchasing a baby gift through Amazon so I just added the soldering station to the Shopping Cart since I HAD to sign-in to make the purchase my wife wanted.

Edited April 21, 2016 by wvu80