Can someone tell me whats a good "Soldering iron" to buy?

necro007

Golden Member
Sep 2, 2005
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Hi, okay well just like the title says.

I was thinking of getting this one but the reviews are bad so i won't get it.

Any ideas what is a good Soldering iron, is it worth spending $$$for a Soldering iron or will a $20 Canadian one do the job?

Also is there any shops in Canada that you guys would recomend getting one from?
 

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
126
One of my buddies bought one of those cold heat ones, biggest piece of crap ever. Stick with a cheap radio shack one and it won't let you down. They really aren't expensive or complex devices.
 
Nov 3, 2004
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grab a metcal sp200 on eBay. It's the best. Or you could get a hakko 936. Or a weller soldering station (one of them)
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
weller is the name that comes to mind when you talk about good soldering irons

but for casual usage (pc modding sounds like it), a cheap one from canadian tire should work fine
 

necro007

Golden Member
Sep 2, 2005
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Guys I'm looking for somthing like this.

Does anyone how much it costs?

Also it would be perfect if i could get one that works on both "100 and 240 VAC", is there any thing like this?
 

henryay

Senior member
Aug 14, 2002
293
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Medcals are freakin nice. They heat up in < 10 sec. But they cost more than $1000, i believe.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
The MX500 runs about $400

If you're considering the Cold Heat soldering iron, I doubt you're in the $400 price range. A Weller WES-51 can be had closer to $100 would cover most needs, just make sure you get a small tip and a large tip (the tips run about $5 for the Weller, $20 for the Metcal)

...if you're soldering professionally, the Metcal would be a good investment though. They're good irons.
 

necro007

Golden Member
Sep 2, 2005
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71
$100-$400 no way i just want somthing to solder some led's to my PC fans and other PC mods.

Anything else in the cheaper range?

Also i have used a soldering iron before.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Ahh, when you said "PC mods" I thought "Printed Circuit". A $40 35W pencil style will work great, there's even some that are about $14 that will work for that.
 

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
11,465
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I have the Weller station and I believe I paid $125. The better units like the Weller that I have, sport variable temps, quick heatup, and multiple tips. Really worth it if you do much soldering
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
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Originally posted by: necro007
$100-$400 no way i just want somthing to solder some led's to my PC fans and other PC mods.

Anything else in the cheaper range?

Also i have used a soldering iron before.

Actually for little jobs like this, even the Cold Heat should be fine.
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
Fryes carries this Weller


This is nearly as good as the units that were used in the Aerospace Industry 10 years ago to assemble circuitry for space flight.

Not with all the bells and whistles, however, but a technology derivative of those that were - about $ 50 delivered.