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Soldering Iron Recommendations??

Lithium381

Lithium381

Lifer
I mainly do crossovers for speakers and am starting to do more and more with small circuits and stuff. I want a quality one that'll be suitable for both that'll last. The 25w i have now is really old and the tip is huge(making circuits a problem).....i've got two options, either the Weller WES51 Station, or the WLC100 Station.......about $70 difference. Which should i get?


EDIT - Some links

weller wes51
weller wlc100
 
I own an iron similar to the first one you linked (it isn't Weller branded, though). I've had no problems with mine, but then I've only soldered relatively large components with 8 or fewer pins, nothing fancy.
 
Never dealt with this outfit, just using it for the pic..

http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/0460-0004/

they're solid.. they run all day for years, whole bunch of tips available, replacement parts available, etc..


edit: I dont like the wellers cause they seem really primitive in comparison, and the barrel is too long, so you cant rest your hand.. makes small stuff a PITA cause you shake.

I've used the hakko on 0402 stuff, works fine.. (those are on a penny if you couldn't tell 🙂 )
 
Colt i actually like that Hakko you listed, good price and it's what i need! What's with two temp scales though? What tip do you recommend? I plan on mostly soldering stuff like DIP ICs, resistors, etc....1/32" or 1/64" conical or screwdriver
 
Celsius and Fahrenheit. international i guess 🙂

for through-hole stuff a 3.2D or a 2.4D should be fine (chisel). Actually I use a 3.2 on everything pretty much, surface mount and through-hole stuffs, haha

They make conicals for them too, but I've never used them, so I'm not sure.. experiment a bit I guess!
 
Any tips you can give me then, since you seem to have more experience(I'm just now learning) about soldering down on circuit boards??? I'm using mostly through-hole right now.... also, any advice on making PCBs, if you've ever done it?..

edit-
the one i'm using now seems to be a 3/16"... i think 1/16 would be comforatable
i can just get two and see what works, swap 'em out for what i'm working on....it's easy i assume(never done it)
 
Originally posted by: Lithium381
I mainly do crossovers for speakers and am starting to do more and more with small circuits and stuff. I want a quality one that'll be suitable for both that'll last. The 25w i have now is really old and the tip is huge(making circuits a problem).....i've got two options, either the Weller WES51 Station, or the WLC100 Station.......about $70 difference. Which should i get?


EDIT - Some links

weller wes51
weller wlc100
Click to expand...


I have used both and while I prefered the 51 if I was buying I would get the cheaper of the two.

Spend the money on the tips
 
Originally posted by: Lithium381
Any tips you can give me then, since you seem to have more experience(I'm just now learning) about soldering down on circuit boards??? I'm using mostly through-hole right now.... also, any advice on making PCBs, if you've ever done it?..

edit-
the one i'm using now seems to be a 3/16"... i think 1/16 would be comforatable
i can just get two and see what works, swap 'em out for what i'm working on....it's easy i assume(never done it)
Click to expand...

As far as making PCBs goes, check out the DirectETCH system:

http://pulsar.gs/PCB/a_Pages/1_Menu/overview.html

Runs about $200 to get started - kit is $80 and the hot laminator machine is $130. Waaaaay cheaper and easier than every other system I've seen. The owner, Frank, is a real nice guy and will answer whatever questions you have.
 
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