Can someone recommend one from that well known auction site
I want about 50w but do they allow for small bits for precision ?
Phil
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Can someone recommend one from that well known auction site
I want about 50w but do they allow for small bits for precision ?
Phil
I use a Maplins one N78AR... It 50W, has precision tips, and they stock the spare ones too... on special promo til 24/12/10... not bad for £20
I have one of those Maplin irons, they work quite well but it's worth noting that the dial does not control the tip temperature rather it controls the power applied to the tip.
I also have one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weller-Solderi...item1c173c6f91
true control of the tip temperature is achieved by selecting the correct tip for the job. You may get this for £50, it may go for more as the Iron alone can fetch £60.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WELLER-TCP-Tem...item1c16b01064
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weller-TCP-S-M...item2a0bc34b78
My basic advice, search for Weller soldering iron or Weller station. Not cheap and the really good stuff does not often make it to the uk bay :(
edit: Nice http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weller-Profess...item4cf320ab39 :)
I've seen some favorable comments on some the Chinese base station + iron sets, I'll post back if I find them. I also know for fact that the 3 Chinese combos in the office downstairs allow true tip temperature control but also require new tips/elements every couple of months!
Yes I was aware of that, but still does a good job for £20.. good for PCB stuff, not so good for big power cabling or big stuff to a ground plane (e.g. heatsink tags)Quote:
Originally Posted by ecat
Funnily enough so do I, tho mine is an older 80W version I think... still use the original tip - must be 30y old now. Only used for the bigger jobs...Quote:
Originally Posted by ecat
Irving & ecat thanks for the help,
The Weller ones look nice, i will be doing minimal amount of soldering so if you find those Chinese ones so i can have a look that would be great.
Phil
I still say...
http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=40555
but...
http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/archive/t-533424.html
so possibly
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YH-936AD-LEAD-...item45f62b39f1
or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/230V-50W-ESD-S...item230bbe68fe
or some other such.. your choice :)
@Irving,#
hehe,
I rescued my Weller from the seagulls :) I guess the iron was left switched on for the best part of 10 years before this and one day I will replace the slightly sticky switch in the handle.
I've had about 6 of those before i gave up and bought a better one, none of the six lasted the length of the warranty. Element failure, and yes you've guessed it you can't buy a replacement element. So i bought an N89CZ, which has worked flawlessly for a couple of years now.Quote:
Originally Posted by irving2008
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218050
Thanks for everyone's input.
Time will tell if i made the right choice.
Update got the new iron and it is so good compared to a fixed temperature type, very little black crud that i used to get building up on the old iron.
Phil
Hello,
I have the soldering station CSI-2901 from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Circuit-Specialists-Europe .
It's well build and the soldering tips are rugged and have very good thermal behaviour. Analog dial is enough for this kind of station. The only downside is the iron holder which is crap (need some rework to hold the iron without touching the tip).
Beware that there is some stations which have tips without integrated heating element. Tips are cheap but they lack thermal capacity (fine one are the worse) which make them not very friendly on lead free soldering.
Weller is very good quality, but I have been very disappointed by tip life (given the price). Unless you solder 8h/day, I think it doesn't worth the money. Do not forget that tip life decrease if you do not continuously solder when they're hot.
I use one of these: PROFESSIONAL 20W SOLDERING IRON - SOLDER - 0.8mm TIP
Have a look at the list of tips you can get for it and if you get one of these you can store it all away nice and easy.Good service from them as well, think my stuff come the next day, well packaged and well priced.
If you really really need controlled temps then fair enough, may not be right for you but i like mine.
Lee