Soldering station or iron recommendations

Emlyn · 08-12-2005, 08:35 PM

Considering doing some soldering at home for repairs and modifications to some things, and plan on getting fairly serious about it, so I want to get my own gear for soldering. Looking for recommendations what's the best cost/performance wise today and something that will last for the long term. Suggestions? How about this from Weller?

Partsexpress

dorokusai · 08-12-2005, 09:50 PM

This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

WELLER WTCPT

disneyjoe7 · 08-12-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorokusai

This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

WELLER WTCPT

I too also own one of those WTCPT had it for years.... Top end Weller all the way.

Doro Telco guys must think a like.

masanz1 · 08-12-2005, 11:36 PM

another nod for weller. I use one on my rc stuff and it works great

Emlyn · 08-13-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorokusai

This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

WELLER WTCPT

I like it. Hardcore!

PolkThug · 08-13-2005, 03:26 AM

One of the most painful things I've ever done (as a teenager), was grab a Weller from the wrong end. Self branding sucks.

ezc · 08-18-2005, 07:59 PM

I agree weller! I use a weller WSD 81, lots of tips to choose from. http://www.tessco.com/products/displ...?itemId=176400
So far I like this station best. I got it about 2 mo ago & It to me is better than my old wtcpt. The pencil on the 81 is skinner & fits better in my hand especially when its a bigger job. I use the station for electronic repairs, a/v repairs & hobby. couldnt be happier. Myu station is used 6 days a week.

Jstas · 08-18-2005, 08:39 PM

If I could find the irons my dad has from when he was a field service tech, I'd say to use those but I don't think they are made anymore. That said, Weller may not be the absolute best out there but they are very good pieces of equipment and they have several heads that can be interchanged for different soldering needs. That also has an adjustable temperature control which is important especially when working with printed circuit boards like what is found in some crossovers. It can seem a little pricey at ~$145 but you can be pretty much rest assured that you will not need another one for a very long time. That would not be a bad buy in any respect. The other bonus is that IIRC, it comes with hardware to mount it to the work bench which is a good safety measure.

madmax · 08-22-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emlyn

How about this from Weller?

Partsexpress

I have used this iron at a friends house. It is just ok. Doesn't feel real good, gets hot on the handle but works. I am used to using the ones at work (like Doro has). Actually I have one at home I like even better for audio stuff and it is cheaper in price. I'll get the number off of it.
madmax

madmax · 08-22-2005, 05:22 PM

Mine at home is an Ungar 921ZX but unfortunatly it is out of production. I chose it because our re-work person liked it much better for fine stuff. You really can't beat the one Doro recommended if you want to pay that much. I think you could get by with the cheapy though.
madmax

bknauss · 08-22-2005, 05:35 PM

The one from Parts Express is good as a starter. Nice for soldering wires, and if you get a smaller tip, good for through hole parts.

The one that Doro recommends is what we use at work (well, other than our super duper surface mount soldering station). Great all around station and they last forever.

Emlyn · 08-22-2005, 06:02 PM

Great suggestions and advice. Thanks. I knew I asked in the right place.

Looks like I'll probably be getting the Weller WTCPT. The WSD 81 is probably more than I'd need for occasional use rather than every day use, and I'd likely end up eventually having to replace the lower powered type if I got one of those.

dorokusai · 08-22-2005, 10:23 PM

Mark - Let me look up the price thru work, I may be able to get it cheaper for you.

fredv · 08-23-2005, 02:53 AM

I dropped by Fry's today and found that there was a WTCPT inside their locked cage with a sticker printed $104.99!!! Real? I had to run but will check it out later this week. If so, sounds like a good deal.

fredv · 08-23-2005, 02:57 AM

It is real, same price at outpost:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/172...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Emlyn · 08-23-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorokusai

Mark - Let me look up the price thru work, I may be able to get it cheaper for you.

Thanks Mark. That would be outstanding.

Fred, the price from Fry's does look great too.

Burnzy · 08-23-2005, 06:15 PM

Just found this one, also has a fume filter...

Soldering Station w/ integrated Fume Extractor (456DLX)

bknauss · 09-14-2005, 06:32 PM

What's the fun in soldering all day and not having that terrible smell right under your nose for the rest of the day? That and fiberglass resin are two of those smells that just stick around with you for an entire day.

Jstas · 09-14-2005, 07:26 PM

You're not supposed to burn the resin.

08-12-2005, 08:35 PM	#1
Emlyn Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (7) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,024	Soldering station or iron recommendations Considering doing some soldering at home for repairs and modifications to some things, and plan on getting fairly serious about it, so I want to get my own gear for soldering. Looking for recommendations what's the best cost/performance wise today and something that will last for the long term. Suggestions? How about this from Weller? Partsexpress __________________ 1. JMlab Electra 920.1 and CC30; Polk LSiFX; MB Quart Vera Sub; Marantz AV8003 pre/pro; B&K 200.2; Emotiva XPA-5; Wadia 170i; Toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD; Oppo BDP-83 Blu-Ray; Samsung 52" A650 LCD 1080P; PS Audio Power Plant 2. Polk SDA-SRS 2.3TL; Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE+; Classe Model 25 amp; Musical Fidelity A5 CD; Music Hall MMF7 and The Clamp; PS Audio GCPH; PS Audio P1000 3. Spendor S6; Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE and Power 2; Perreaux CD1P

08-12-2005, 09:50 PM	#2
dorokusai Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (41) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 6 Feet Under Posts: 17,649	This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial. WELLER WTCPT __________________ Death is my set, guess my religion Last edited by dorokusai; 08-12-2005 at 09:56 PM..

08-12-2005, 11:36 PM	#4
masanz1 Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 516	another nod for weller. I use one on my rc stuff and it works great __________________ Matthew Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason HT Yamaha RX-V2500 CS400-Center SDA 1A-Mains RT20-Surround None right now-Rears SVS 20-39PCi Infocus IN72

08-18-2005, 08:39 PM	#8
Jstas Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denial...it's in Egypt. Posts: 7,578	If I could find the irons my dad has from when he was a field service tech, I'd say to use those but I don't think they are made anymore. That said, Weller may not be the absolute best out there but they are very good pieces of equipment and they have several heads that can be interchanged for different soldering needs. That also has an adjustable temperature control which is important especially when working with printed circuit boards like what is found in some crossovers. It can seem a little pricey at ~$145 but you can be pretty much rest assured that you will not need another one for a very long time. That would not be a bad buy in any respect. The other bonus is that IIRC, it comes with hardware to mount it to the work bench which is a good safety measure. __________________ You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!

08-23-2005, 02:53 AM	#14
fredv Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fremont, California Posts: 923	I dropped by Fry's today and found that there was a WTCPT inside their locked cage with a sticker printed $104.99!!! Real? I had to run but will check it out later this week. If so, sounds like a good deal. __________________ -fredv-

08-13-2005, 03:26 AM	#6
PolkThug Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas Posts: 7,554	One of the most painful things I've ever done (as a teenager), was grab a Weller from the wrong end. Self branding sucks.

08-18-2005, 07:59 PM	#7
ezc Polkateer Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Hawaii Posts: 426	I agree weller! I use a weller WSD 81, lots of tips to choose from. http://www.tessco.com/products/displ...?itemId=176400 So far I like this station best. I got it about 2 mo ago & It to me is better than my old wtcpt. The pencil on the 81 is skinner & fits better in my hand especially when its a bigger job. I use the station for electronic repairs, a/v repairs & hobby. couldnt be happier. Myu station is used 6 days a week.

08-22-2005, 05:22 PM	#10
madmax Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (13) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 9,983	Mine at home is an Ungar 921ZX but unfortunatly it is out of production. I chose it because our re-work person liked it much better for fine stuff. You really can't beat the one Doro recommended if you want to pay that much. I think you could get by with the cheapy though. madmax

08-22-2005, 05:35 PM	#11
bknauss Polk Engineer Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD / Cubicle Posts: 1,409	The one from Parts Express is good as a starter. Nice for soldering wires, and if you get a smaller tip, good for through hole parts. The one that Doro recommends is what we use at work (well, other than our super duper surface mount soldering station). Great all around station and they last forever.

08-22-2005, 06:02 PM	#12
Emlyn Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (7) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,024	Great suggestions and advice. Thanks. I knew I asked in the right place. Looks like I'll probably be getting the Weller WTCPT. The WSD 81 is probably more than I'd need for occasional use rather than every day use, and I'd likely end up eventually having to replace the lower powered type if I got one of those.

08-22-2005, 10:23 PM	#13
dorokusai Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (41) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 6 Feet Under Posts: 17,649	Mark - Let me look up the price thru work, I may be able to get it cheaper for you.

08-23-2005, 02:57 AM	#15
fredv Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (8) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fremont, California Posts: 923	It is real, same price at outpost: http://shop3.outpost.com/product/172...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

08-23-2005, 06:15 PM	#17
Burnzy Polkateer Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 253	Just found this one, also has a fume filter... Soldering Station w/ integrated Fume Extractor (456DLX) __________________ SYSTEM HDTV ..........Sony KP-57WV600 CD / DVD......Sony DVP-C675D AVR ............Denon 2801 MAINS .........Polk RTi8 CENTER .......Polk CSi5 Surrounds ....Polk FXi3 Sub ............Polk PSW-250 Cables.........Zebra Cables

09-14-2005, 06:32 PM	#18
bknauss Polk Engineer Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD / Cubicle Posts: 1,409	What's the fun in soldering all day and not having that terrible smell right under your nose for the rest of the day? That and fiberglass resin are two of those smells that just stick around with you for an entire day.

09-14-2005, 07:26 PM	#19
Jstas Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denial...it's in Egypt. Posts: 7,578	You're not supposed to burn the resin.

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