Soldering Iron Advice Please

[JayCee71]

Hi All,

I am looking to set up a workbench for basic electronics work. Will mostly be doing audio & instrument cables, guitar electronics, the occasional old-school kit (ie nothing with tiny SMD components). The last time I picked up an iron was 20 years ago so I'm a bit rusty on the details.

I have a 25w iron that simply isn't going to be hot enough to do guitar electronics, so am looking at either an 80w Nicholson iron, although the preference is the Dremel Versatip butane-fuelled cordless iron. Bank in the day, I had a butane iron purchased from Dick Smith (when it used to be an electronics store!), and it was crap. Does anyone have experience with the Dremel? For various reasons, a cordless iron will have several benefits to me, due to it's portability. I can also use it as a blowtorch for heat shrinking and pyrography.

My concern is that I do not know what the performance is against equivalent wattage of a corded tool. Some specs claim 550ºc as a tip temperature - but I don't know what, for example, an 80w would read at.

Also, it appears to only come with a pointed tip. In the past I have always found that a chiselled tip to be the standard. Can I get some advice on whether a pointed tip is suitable for more robust electronics work, as I described in my first paragraph? It seems that Dremel do not make a chiselled tip for their tool

Here's a link to the Dremel:

https://www.masters.com.au/product/100528005/dremel-cordless-soldering-versatip

[NCArcher]

I had the same Dremel iron you linked to. Don't bother. It's barely ok indoors but useless outside.
I have one made by Snap-on that is excellent. By far the best butane iron I have had and i've tried Dremel, Weller and another that I can't remember the brand. Might have been an older Weller.
A decent scope iron would probably be best for a workshop.

[mike48]

Hi

for bench electronics soldering on PCBs and connectors etc, you really cannot beat a 40-50W temperature controlled solder station.
You really do not need any higher wattage than this for general work.

Choose one with interchangeable tips for tip size (and temperature if the station is not adjustable by a knob control).
Choose one with a metal shaving tip cleaner, not sponge.

Gas solder tools have their place, but not in a bench situation.
They are sometimes banned for use in professional work as they can overheat the joints and cause accidental burning problems with nearby components and cabling.

If you need an iron with a higher wattage for a large job, use a large mains iron.

Have a look at irons from Jaycar, WES, Altronics, and even eBay.
If you have a high budget, my pick is from the Hakko range - very good indeed, and lovely to use.
If you don't, my pick is a "newish" or new Weller 24V station, or similar, from eBay, as all the parts are available.

I use two older Weller TCP units on the bench, a Birko mains 60W for some bigger jobs, and a Birko mains 300W for soldering building "I" beams up.

Stay away from gas irons for general work on the bench.
Good luck with your work.

mike

[JayCee71]

As much as I would like a butane iron, I think I will take the advice above. Thanks for both replies.

Budget, nor frequency of use can justify a Weller solder station, so I'll be looking for a fixed-temp solution. I already have a 25w for finer work, but for leads and connectors, will 80w be overkill? I can get an 80w from Masters for around $20, or a Hakko 60w for $30 at my local electronics supplier (Wagners in Ashfield). Would have preferred Masters, as I have a gift voucher, but if they don't have the most ideal tool (on their site, they don't) then I will buy elsewhere.

[JayCee71]

I could justify the price of this soldering station. Not sure why they are using Hekko as a keyword though, clearly it's a different brand.

temp range for 200-480ºc

Ebay Link to Product (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/60W-Soldering-Iron-Station-6-Tip-Lead-Free-Welding-Kit-ESD-Safe-Digital-Display-/121242680801?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item1c3aa07de1)

[mike48]

Well, looks attractive, and price is good, unbelievably good.
Love the spec on 15W at 240V, 60W at 24V!

Google for user reports.

If it works as well as it looks, it should be fine.
Buy some spare tips and a spare element, unless they are industry standard.
Throw the sponge, buy some stainless steel kitchen scrubs from a $ shop and tie in to the wipe tray with iron wire.
Might want to check the tip temperature for overall accuracy as displayed (wrap an accurate oven thermometer to the tip with alfoil, cook for 5 mins at 200 deg C until weller done).

The ref to Hakko is that it uses either a real Hakko element, or a "Hakko type" element, I think.

Sell it if it doesnt perform.

[JayCee71]

I've discovered that it's a Hakko knock-off, also sold under the rebadged name of Yashua. For that price, I grabbed one. The few reviews online seem OK. Cheers for the assistance.

Jay

[BobL]

I bought the WEP combo, soldering iron, hot air gun and power supply a few months back - It's been very good.


Buy some spare tips and a spare element, unless they are industry standard.
Mine came with a half dozen different tips and a set of different nozzles for the hot air gun which I have been able to do some plastic welding with.


Throw the sponge, buy some stainless steel kitchen scrubs from a $ shop and tie in to the wipe tray with iron wire..
Thanks for that tip.


Might want to check the tip temperature for overall accuracy as displayed (wrap an accurate oven thermometer to the tip with alfoil, cook for 5 mins at 400 deg C until weller done)
Ha!
I checked mine against a Fluke thermocouple and meter and its within 5º across the range.


The ref to Hakko is that it uses either a real Hakko element, or a "Hakko type" element, I think. .
It supposed;y uses a Hakko element but I still wonder about this

[JayCee71]

Good to hear some first hand experience. It appears that the WEP/Yihua brand also make some very reasonably priced variable lab power supplies.