Fishman Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably priced soldering iron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Hobbying Guitar electrics and wires etc... https://www.toolstation.com/draper-soldering-iron-stand/p86557?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1v72-v7t_AIVTfl3Ch3-xwE8EAQYBSABEgL9jfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 If you want a professional quality iron, check out the Quicko T12-942. It's a copy of the Hakko and uses the same bits. They're available on Ebay, although you can buy them for less on Ali Express. You'll need to add a power supply - anything from 15 to 24V is OK. You might have an old laptop power supply in a drawer that would work. That's what I use. I've been using two of these for the past 12 months and they've been great. They replaced a Weller soldering station. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Been using a TS100 for ages and am very happy with it, definitely a nice change from old style cumbersome irons/stations which is handy if you want to work with smaller components. I've done mPCIe slots and Micro USB ports by hand with mine. Can be powered of a regular laptop power supply or you can get suitable ones for a few £ extra, I use mine with a variable voltage one. https://www.droneauthority.co.uk/products/miniware-portable-ts100-soldering-iron?currency=GBP&variant=36448668844104&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17378604620&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8t2eBhDeARIsAAVEga0DgAalb730w_NZSnvHS9QZabRKoUBLWawX2Gbi2Y_c5QC9RWnsNjcaAjNPEALw_wcB You can also get a USB Type-C powered version called the TS80 which might be handy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 26 minutes ago, stevie said: If you want a professional quality iron, check out the Quicko T12-942. It's a copy of the Hakko and uses the same bits. They're available on Ebay, although you can buy them for less on Ali Express. You'll need to add a power supply - anything from 15 to 24V is OK. You might have an old laptop power supply in a drawer that would work. That's what I use. I've been using two of these for the past 12 months and they've been great. They replaced a Weller soldering station. Might sound like a daft question but why is the T12-942 not supplied with a power supply? Surely it is a necessity and can't be 'that' expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 1 hour ago, warwickhunt said: Might sound like a daft question but why is the T12-942 not supplied with a power supply? Surely it is a necessity and can't be 'that' expensive? I'm guessing some people will have a bench power supply of some sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 1 hour ago, warwickhunt said: Might sound like a daft question but why is the T12-942 not supplied with a power supply? Surely it is a necessity and can't be 'that' expensive? You can order it with the recommended power supply if you want one - they're about twelve pounds. But it uses a fairly common type of power supply and many people already have something suitable. There's also a mains-powered version with a built-in power supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 Thanks for the suggestions everyone Next question is… should I use lead-free solder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) For hobbying, no real need... Have a window open, and don't have ya face over the work... I just use LMP... low melting point Used high silver content solder years back when i used to make hifi interconnect and speaker cables ala Deltec. Edited January 30, 2023 by PaulThePlug 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 6 minutes ago, Fishman said: Thanks for the suggestions everyone Next question is… should I use lead-free solder? Yes. You will need an iron capable of getting up to the higher temperatures. The Draper one above is NOT ideal. The one that @stevierecommended is fine, I always use Antex irons, the 25 watt one will do almost anything. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 22 hours ago, PaulThePlug said: Hobbying Guitar electrics and wires etc... https://www.toolstation.com/draper-soldering-iron-stand/p86557?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1v72-v7t_AIVTfl3Ch3-xwE8EAQYBSABEgL9jfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I would not recommend that iron. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I use Antex. I have had the same 17w one since 1991. A couple of years ago I bought the 25w one for jobs that require that bit more, but I probably didn’t go big enough to make that much difference, though I like it’s more flexible, silicone cable. The 17w still does everything I need it to. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Antex-S58J470-XS25-Silicone-Soldering 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekomatic Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 The nice thing about the Antex ones is that it’s very quick and easy to change one bit for another, so you can use a little pointy one for fine work and a big fat one for wiring connectors and stuff (which makes that job SO much easier). I think you should use lead-free not so much for your health as to not have any more lead getting loose in the environment. It does really need a temperature-controlled iron though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 The Antex 25W are a good basic iron. I've been using mine since the 1970's without problems. They are kind of the Shure SM58 of soldering irons. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Phil Starr said: The Antex 25W are a good basic iron. I've been using mine since the 1970's without problems. They are kind of the Shure SM58 of soldering irons. 1 hour ago, Phil Starr said: The Antex 25W are a good basic iron. I've been using mine since the 1970's without problems. They are kind of the Shure SM58 of soldering irons. My 12 watt Antex is that old. I have had one new element about 25 years ago. I believe that the construction transfers more heat to the tip than traditional irons. I have a 12 watt, an 18 watt and a 50 watt temperature controlled soldering station. However as Phil says for most the 25 watt one is a really good all round iron. They are made in Plymouth so you can easily contact them with any queries. Edited January 31, 2023 by Chienmortbb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moley6knipe Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Round of applause to all hands here. Was just on to post a “what soldering iron to get, mine’s terrible” and here we go. Much to absorb. Good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 On 31/01/2023 at 10:20, Phil Starr said: The Antex 25W are a good basic iron. I've been using mine since the 1970's without problems. They are kind of the Shure SM58 of soldering irons. Just don't put it too near your mouth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 16 minutes ago, yorks5stringer said: Just don't put it too near your mouth... When they are hot, they are germ free unlike the Shure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said: When they are hot, they are germ free unlike the Shure. Are you shure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 1 hour ago, yorks5stringer said: Just don't put it too near your mouth... I have to be really careful about this… One of my hobbies is model painting (I have to build them as well, but it’s the painting that I really enjoy), and I am a “brush licker”. A horrible habit that is used to reshape the brush. I also often use my mouth like a third hand, using it to hold things (like the other end of the brush, screws, nails, sometimes even scalpels…). I am fortunate enough to have managed to avoid sticking my soldering iron in my mouth, but only because I have caught myself as I was about to do it, more than once! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 53 minutes ago, yorks5stringer said: Are you shure? Sadly Mate, 58% agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Solder station.....power supply that you can attenuate and keeps the heat up when soldering, decent ones around £50-80 or more on Ebay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 1 hour ago, KingBollock said: I have to be really careful about this… One of my hobbies is model painting (I have to build them as well, but it’s the painting that I really enjoy), and I am a “brush licker”. A horrible habit that is used to reshape the brush. I also often use my mouth like a third hand, using it to hold things (like the other end of the brush, screws, nails, sometimes even scalpels…). I am fortunate enough to have managed to avoid sticking my soldering iron in my mouth, but only because I have caught myself as I was about to do it, more than once! Life imitating art ( if you call my feeble attempts at humour, as 'art' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 i've had an Antex xs25 for nearly 20 years now, I think all i've ever changed is the tips, before that I had a Weller iron that only lasted a couple of years before the element failed and it went in the bin, I think my brother's antex iron is about 15 years older than mine. Antex offer a decent range of tip options and the ability to replace the element is great too. I have a couple of gas soldering irons that are handy for working in places without power (installing DMX cables in a church where the plugs had to be fitted in situ) but they seem to break fairly easily and they're not that cheap. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I had a Weller soldering station for several decades. It worked and lasted well but you will need spares if you're a heavy user - and you can now buy a quality soldering station for the cost of their replacement heating element. Which is what I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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