Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I wanted to know what soldering irons and such you guys use. I'm on the hunt for a really nice one. Any suggestions?

25watt crack shack (Radio Shack) irons....Mainly because if I need anything for it, I can just drive up the road, though I was really impressed and kind of jonesing now for one of these Weller digital soldering stations we got to use on PIC module PCBs I got to work on in electronics class this past semester: http://www.drillspot.com/products/34648 ... ng_Station

I really think I need to get one of those....where's my government issued election year bribe check...I mean the economic stimulus/tax rebate check I am due????

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

mine is 30-35 watt and thats what byoc suggest~

_________________

I recently bought a rather cheap soldering station from "Velleman": temperature control, ceramic iron, 50 Watts. This is something that I should have done much sooner! Takes a bit of getting used to (especially where to set the temperature for my soldering "technique"), but than its much better (for me) than my previous iron (25 Watts Weller), which also ate soldering tips like they were going out of fashion ...

_________________
Change the world or go home (Stormhoek vineyards)

My iron is a 25 watt Weller. The tip does not always melt the solder correctly, it beads up and darkens the tip, the tip also comes loose and gets a little shaky. I am ready to get a new one. What the best for around $100, give or take.

+1 for the rat shack soldering iron. tips are cheap and in good supply. i always buy a couple pkgs when i'm dragged to the mall to look at shoes with my wife.

_________________
Days add up whether we like it or not. We can't stop them from doing so. What we can do is decide what they add up to.
MY MUSIC

I use this station and I really like it (check the links below). I can tell you for fact that the techs at Analogman use the same model and you know those guys do a lot of soldering. Mike even keeps one as a backup in case one of them ever dies. Set that bad boy at about 700 degrees and you're good to go. When I bought mine from circuit specialists I even got a free DMM with it that measures capacitance...it's now my main meter (I think you have to spend 50 bucks to get the freebie but heck that's only another seven bucks). It's way less than a hundred bones and you can spend a few extra bucks to stock up on a few extra tips. Hope that helps.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/products/full/7501.jpg

By the way, don't be a wet sponge guy. This soldering station comes with the brass shavings tip cleaner and it works soooooo much better. It cleans the tip really well and doesn't sink heat away from the tip like a wet sponge does. Trust me.

_________________
"It's not that I'm a freak for lox but my love for you is so much more than orthodox."

That's agreat deal ^^^

You must meet the following requirements before placing an international order: Order must be $200.00 U.S. Dollars or greater (Not including shipping charges)

Once again, shafted ...

i've often wondered about another option for the old wet sponge. i'm wondering if i could rig up a homemade job with steel wool,....thoughts?

_________________
Days add up whether we like it or not. We can't stop them from doing so. What we can do is decide what they add up to.
MY MUSIC

Steel wool is prone to ignite, and not something I would want to use around voltages and heat ... maybe something like a brass pan-scrubber would be better.

Edit: Actually, looking at the link above, IT IS identical to a brass pan-scrubber, just in a nice metal holder.

The free meter rocks, but, I bought that one, and have had to replace the pencil 2x, and I'm sick of that, so I'm bout' to drop the dollar for a Weller and be done with it. If you go for the analog 50watt job, it's about 80-85 bucks.

_________________
Everyone likes sausage. Nobody wants to see how it's made.

I got a different station from circuit specialists, the ESD safe one. It's temperature adjustable as well. Been using it close to a year if not longer with great success. The free meter was awesome, and I've been able to get tips no problem from them. Haven't been through many (maybe 2?) in this time since I take care of them, and don't solder 1/10th as much as geek does.

_________________
µ