Soldering Iron wanted!

Zeebit · Feb 6, 2014

Almost double the price but I'll take your advice since you're the engineer

I have to save up for the FX-888D.

djQUAN · Feb 6, 2014

Once you get your 888, I suggest you get two tips. Mine came with a small chisel tip (which works well for general purpose soldering) but also get a K tip (LINK)which has a wide area for heating large parts and removing SMD parts by heating both ends at the same time because the whole part fits along its width, also, you can use the fine tip to remove solder bridges or solder small stuff.

Zeebit · Feb 7, 2014

What tip width(chisel) would you recommend for general use on soldering some smd parts, through hole and also some wires up to say like, 16AWG?

djQUAN · Feb 7, 2014

I think I'm using the 2mm wide chisel tip on mine. Good compromise on pointyness for SMD work and not too small for soldering on relatively large copper areas on PCBs.

Zeebit · Feb 7, 2014

I was browsing ebay for the tips. I found genuine Hakko tips and its says that the tip is coated with lead-free solder. Can I use lead solder with this tip or not?

1pc of T18 D24 Soldering Tips Hakko Made in Japan Original Pack | eBay

ARG · Feb 7, 2014

Zeebit said:
I was browsing ebay for the tips. I found genuine Hakko tips and its says that the tip is coated with lead-free solder. Can I use lead solder with this tip or not?

1pc of T18 D24 Soldering Tips Hakko Made in Japan Original Pack | eBay

Some lead free tips can get damaged if you use it with leaded solder.

Zeebit · Feb 7, 2014

Ah, just went to Hakko's site and it says that the T18 tips are compatible with lead-free solder. So I'm guessing it will work with both lead-free and leaded solder.

djQUAN · Feb 7, 2014

I never had problems using leaded solder on the Hakko tips. I use 60/40, 63/37 and also ones with 2% silver without issues.

ARG · Feb 7, 2014

Good to know that Hakko's tips can handle leaded solder. Last time I used leaded solder on a lead free tip it ate it like this:

djQUAN · Feb 7, 2014

lol that tip probably didn't have a thick enough plating to protect itself from the solder.

In my experience, lead free solder eats tips faster than leaded solder. I don't know how the older bismuth based leadfree solder reacts though, I have only used Tin based ones.

ARG · Feb 7, 2014

Maybe, but it was a Weller tip, so I don't think it was the tip quality.

Zeebit · Feb 8, 2014

What brand of solder do you use? I was planning to buy a spool of Kester brand solder but man, they are expensive. I don't even have enough money right now to buy the FX-888D

So I thought I'd just grab one from Fasttech along with other stuff. I'm going to get the one called "Telecore Plus". I've been using no name solder sold on the local stores and I had great success with them.

Bionic-Badger · Feb 8, 2014

While I love the 1lb spool of Kester solder that a friend gave me, a spool like that will last you several lifetimes. The problem with such a large quantity is that the rosin may expire before you get through it. My own spool is probably 7-8 years past its stated shelf life. It still works for me, but sometimes I feel like I need a little extra flux.

The solder you have locally is probably fine. Just make sure it's the 63/37 eutectic type and not that 60/40 stuff.

Zeebit · Feb 8, 2014

Bionic-Badger said:
While I love the 1lb spool of Kester solder that a friend gave me, a spool like that will last you several lifetimes.

I'm no cat

The problem with such a large quantity is that the rosin may expire before you get through it. My own spool is probably 7-8 years past its stated shelf life. It still works for me, but sometimes I feel like I need a little extra flux.

A while back, a friend of mine had this spool of Kester solder that was made back in '98 that he was about to throw away. I got it from him and when I tried it, the smell was unexplainable, it was like ass. :crackup:

The solder you have locally is probably fine. Just make sure it's the 63/37 eutectic type and not that 60/40 stuff.

It's probable 60/40 because it has this pasty stage that's why Im getting a 63/37 from FT.

djQUAN · Feb 8, 2014

I use Alpha Metals telecore and reliacore solder. Both are 63/37. If the one in FT is on a blue spool, it's also probably an Alpha Metals, not sure if genuine though. I got mine from Alexan (local parts store).

Zeebit · Feb 12, 2014

Oh look, my 1000th post. Meh, no big deal.

**************************

The FX-888/D is a bit too expensive right now and I need something I could use right now.

I can still get a Hakko 936 shipped for under $100 from ebay.

BUT, there are also a lot of clones out there that are dirt cheap. I've done a bit of reading and I've found out that most people say that although it's not as good as a genuine unit, it still performs very good, especially for the price.

These can be bought for like $15. The price is really making me itch and I just want to click the "buy" button right now. Given it's price and performace (the clones) one cannot really complain.

I am seriously considering getting one right now. So that I have something decent to use. I will upgrade to a proper station when the time calls for one.

I would like to hear from you guys just before I get a $15 station.

Soldering Iron wanted!

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