Soldering Kit - Need Advice

[Bettor Slots]

Looking for a new solder kit for basic board repair, replacing batteries, changing out LED's on toppers, etc.  Just shopped around on Radio Shack web site and there are around 50 options and prices range from $10 to $175.  Advice appreciated.

Jim

[StatFreak]

I use a Tenma that I purchased from MCM Electronics.

This is the one that I use. It is currently listed at $70, buy they often put these on sale. I paid $39 for mine. It uses led segments to indicate the temperature of the iron, and while it's not super accurate, it's good enough for most applications. I've been very happy with it.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-21-7930-/21-7930

This is the next step up. It has a digital display of the temperature and setting. It is currently $90 and wasn't on sale when I bought mine (or I would have bought it), but it does gets discounted from time to time.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-21-7935-/21-7935

They have higher end models and better brands, too, but they mostly are not priced for the occasional hobbyist. I would suggest that any soldering station that you buy have at least some indication of the current temperature of the tip. These irons can be fitted with different tip shapes and sizes for different applications. I bought a couple of each type when I bought the station since they were not expensive and didn't add to the SH when placed in a single order. You might also want to toss in an extra cleaning sponge while you're at it.

Hope this helps.

[OhioGaming]

Jim,

The one that David mentions would work and I believe that it is similar to the Weller WES51 analog that I use (for several years). They are a little more costly but can be found from $85 to $150. They do make the digital also which you could find within that price range.

Ken

[dpalmi]

Hello!

I have and user a Weller WTCPT Soldering Station that I have had for 5-6 years and LOVE it!  It doesn't have a temp control or digital read out - but as of yet - I haven't found that I need those features.  Since I've owned it, I've never burned a pad off a board or done any damage with too much heat.  I remember the days using an old $15 soldering pen from Radio Shack...lol!

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WTCPT-/96-030

The the with the dial and display is only $30 more....

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WESD51-/96-1764

Dan #2

[StatFreak]

The advantage to buying one with temperature control is that one generally uses higher temperatures for desoldering than for soldering. It also can be useful when doing more delicate work. The Weller is a better brand, but the temp controlled model is $170 vs. $70 (or even $40 on sale) for the Tenma.

In my case, I was looking at the $140-$170 for the Weller against $39 for the Tenma. It was a no brainer, since I knew that I wouldn't use it enough to justify the extra price. If you're going to be doing lots of projects like S. Bunker then I'd recommend going with the Weller.

[a69mopar]

I have a few methods.  A Weller digital station (up to 720 degrees) A small pencil unit for using where I have to move.  A pencil one with a built in solder sucker from eBay, works OK for changing batteries. And a butane model for my repair box which seldom gets used.  I love the station when doing circuit boards, the pencil for soldering wires in machines.  If i had to chose only one it would be the pencil type and I'd use a roll of solder to stand it in (I do this now)

I have been into electronics all my life, so have amassed a number of these.  I also have some vacuum stations but rarely use them.  Next buy will be a hot air unit.

Thanks,
Wayne

[Bettor Slots]

Wow...great information...K+ to you all and thanks so much.

Jim

[Op-Bell]

Check out SRA Soldering. I get my SMT soldering equipment here. It's remarkably cheap - their entry-level temperature controlled iron is only $37 - but it's really good. The setup in the picture here is $49.

[stayouttadabunker]

JS,
All of these stations the guys mentioned are excellent choices...
How much you want to spend is entirely up to you of course but
to solder well takes practice and can be accomplished even with the cheap $8-$15 iron pencils from Radio Shack.
No matter which station you get, you must have a pair of helping hands...
I found these things pretty much indispensable because my eyesight isn't the best...lol
But they hold all sort of things too while soldering...the small magnifying glass isn't too good though...
those  big, larger lighted magnifying glasses with the huge weight and springs arms are best for lighting up your desktop...
I posted a couple of photos...shop around the internet for the best deals>>

[stayouttadabunker]

Here's some others>>

[Bettor Slots]

Thanks for the info Mark...those all look really nice.

   Actually I can't afford anything that spendy so I planned to let my wife hold the board while I hold a magnifying glass in one hand and the solder iron in the other.   

[stayouttadabunker]

     $7 bucks....please spend seven bucks...that's all it costs for the helping hands...lol

[StatFreak]

   $7 bucks....please spend seven bucks...that's all it costs for the helping hands...lol

But his wife's fingers are free.   ..until they have to pay the emergency room bill.

[stayouttadabunker]

<< Purely Hypothetical situation in the Archjds hometown hospital >>

Nurse: "What happened?"

Arch's wifey: "My bloody husband burned all my fingers to crisp!"

Nurse: "Oh, that's nasty...let's get you a burn specialist over here..."

Archjds: "Duh, I told her not to move her fingers..."

Wifey:  (Stares at Archjds with that glaring look)
 
"What did ya expect me to do when you have a 1,000 degree hot iron next to my hands????!!!"

Archjds: "Make pretend you're in Alaska in the middle of winter?    I dunno....Hey! Did ya pay the insurance bill last month? "

Wifey: "No!.... You made me give you the money to pay for the fancy soldering iron and all that other junk!!!  "

[stormrider]

Ahh, Nothing like the smell of burnt flesh when the iron hits it 

[Op-Bell]

Ahh, Nothing like the smell of burnt flesh when the iron hits it

I have a really powerful desk magnifier that I use when soldering up surface mount boards. It has a very small field of view, so I can see what's directly under it, but nothing for three inches all around. Now I have this habit, when I've got tweezers in one hand and the iron in the other, of absent-mindedly extending one finger on the tweezer hand to touch something and give me a point of reference... I'm trying to break the habit, but every time the blisters heal I forget and do it again.

[a69mopar]

Ahh, Nothing like the smell of burnt flesh when the iron hits it

I have a really powerful desk magnifier that I use when soldering up surface mount boards. It has a very small field of view, so I can see what's directly under it, but nothing for three inches all around. Now I have this habit, when I've got tweezers in one hand and the iron in the other, of absent-mindedly extending one finger on the tweezer hand to touch something and give me a point of reference... I'm trying to break the habit, but every time the blisters heal I forget and do it again.

I got a chuckle out of this, not that I thought burning yourself was funny but just knowing that I'm not alone.  My fingers are pretty tough now though.

Thanks,
Wayne

[stayouttadabunker]

lol...I know...I have nice numerous little burns from grabbing blistering hot components when in a hurry...

[CaptainHappy]

Ahh, Nothing like the smell of burnt flesh when the iron hits it

I have a really powerful desk magnifier that I use when soldering up surface mount boards. It has a very small field of view, so I can see what's directly under it, but nothing for three inches all around. Now I have this habit, when I've got tweezers in one hand and the iron in the other, of absent-mindedly extending one finger on the tweezer hand to touch something and give me a point of reference... I'm trying to break the habit, but every time the blisters heal I forget and do it again.

I got a chuckle out of this, not that I thought burning yourself was funny but just knowing that I'm not alone.  My fingers are pretty tough now though.

Thanks,
Wayne

I think that soldering irons have "undocumented" finger finder functions! 

I too had to laugh WITH you and not AT you!!! They sure do manage to find the tender skin as well. I like the helping hands device as well since without it I have found that right when the wire is almost perfectly positioned it has heated up and burnt your finger causing you to jerk suddenly moving the wire out of position!!! 

CaptainHappy 

[jdkmunch]

I remember the burns... I thought those "helping hands" were the best invention ever! 

[rma]

The Aoyue-937 + Soldering station that Op-Bell recommended is always on sale on eBay for $45.00 and $12.00 shipping.

[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/AOYUE-937-Digital-Soldering-Station_W0QQitemZ120433136573QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item1c0a5fd3bd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:10|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50/url]

Dave (rma)