Soldering

[Andrew124C41]

The Chinese soldering station I purchased on Amazon finally started giving me problems. The soldering pencil replacement is no longer available.
Anway, I have spent a lot of time researching different stations. All of them have complaints of one sort or another.

I would like to know what you guys are using.....what you are happy with.

Thanks

 

[Z80 Lasers]

I use a Weller soldering iron but this soldering station is awesome: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Line-Sol...p/B01N6I3ARO/ref=pd_sbs_2/130-5748627-5962114

 

[paul1598419]

I have several, but my favorite is called the SMD Rework 852D+ Station. It has an iron with six different size tips plus hot air and is completely thermostatically controlled from 0 degrees C to 500 degrees C. I got it on eBay several years ago for ~$65. Not bad at all for what it can do.

 

[Z80 Lasers]

I have several, but my favorite is called the SMD Rework 852D+ Station. It has an iron with six different size tips plus hot air and is completely thermostatically controlled from 0 degrees C to 500 degrees C. I got it on eBay several years ago for ~$65. Not bad at all for what it can do.

How fast does the hot air heat up? I use a heat gun a lot for heat-shrink tubing but I'd like something faster than the 3 to 5 seconds it takes to heat up.

 

[paul1598419]

It heats up in a couple of seconds. It is made for reflow work, so it gets much hotter than you'd need for heat shrink work. But, it is totally adjustable.

 

[paul1598419]

The hot air gun also comes with several tips to accommodate whatever item you are trying to remove.

 

[Andrew124C41]

That is the one I have. Got it on Amazon a number of years ago

 

[Lifetime17]

NEW LISTINGWeller WES51 Soldering Station​

Brand New
$74.69
or Best Offer
You can look for other sellers for free shipping
I used this one for years with no issues and you can buy different style tips.
Rich

 

[Andrew124C41]

NEW LISTINGWeller WES51 Soldering Station​

Brand New
$74.69
or Best Offer
You can look for other sellers for free shipping
I used this one for years with no issues and you can buy different style tips.
Rich

Rich, yes I remember you telling me. The more powerful one is not backlit and strangely has mixed reviews on Amazon. They are now Assembled in Mexico.

 

[paul1598419]

I used Weller stations for many years in my career. Sorry to hear they are no longer made here.

 

[Andrew124C41]

That is what I read. If I am wrong, that would be good.

 

[paul1598419]

They had temperature controlled station back in the 1960s. Every place I've ever worked had them. They also had a gun style soldering iron for larger jobs. The tip was a long piece of copper. I doubt those are still available.

 

[nmbusa]

Hi ya fellas

I made my own soldering/hot air station based on Quicko T12 OLED controller
but mostly use Quicko T12-942 MINI powered from a 24v power brick

 

[RedCowboy]

I have a bunch of them, any temp controlled iron and a heat gun will do all you need, skill comes with time, use 63/37 rosin core, brace your hands, use a helping hand if needed and use plenty of light and/or a magnifier to see if needed.

Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering

A lovely illustrated guide to soldering and identifying & solving common soldering problems

learn.adafruit.com

Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031 1 lb. Spool - 24-6337-0027 961756440314 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031 1 lb. Spool - 24-6337-0027 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Andrew124C41]

I have a bunch of them, any temp controlled iron and a heat gun will do all you need, skill comes with time, use 63/37 rosin core, brace your hands, use a helping hand if needed and use plenty of light and/or a magnifier to see if needed.

Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering

A lovely illustrated guide to soldering and identifying & solving common soldering problems

learn.adafruit.com

Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031 1 lb. Spool - 24-6337-0027 961756440314 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031 1 lb. Spool - 24-6337-0027 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Funny. I just pmd you about this. I have been soldering since I was a kid. Age makes it harder. I never bought into silver tin mix solder. I only solder with the same stuff you have. I have different diameters.

I have the usual metal mesh cleaner, sponge, tin of tinning compound, and an amoniac block I use for cleaning the tip.

I built an air cleaner from a bunch of fans I got from DTR, Charcoal, and an air filter. It is about 12 in square.

The soldering replacement pen is no longer available on Amazon. It is a Chinese 752D... something like that.

Have you ever seen this unit... very differentThermtronics