Soldering Iron station recommendations

[harddriver]

This may be the way. I love the idea of replacement tips. My struggle was always the fact that I was 'practicing' with cheap solder irons. So the $17 scares me a bit so maybe I'll wait and hear more about your experience.

The brand new Weller pencil irons are pretty much the same price and the W Lenk and is made in the USA. Weller is no longer made in USA. Being that this WL Lenk iron tinned well and is regulating temp well I'm sure it will solder just fine. I'd say it's worth a purchase if you don't want to spend bigger money on a solder station and or something from China. Whether or not it will last 20-30+ years like my old Radio Shack irons I cannot say.

Hell... I just used my 20+ year Radio Shack iron with my last good tip to solder up my 4x12 cab with V30's in it.......

 

[70 Mach 1]

Im still running my 30 watt radio shack from the 70s
I use a brick as a holder

 

[mnemonic]

ROHS complaint solder

GROSS

Also, I always end up getting those copper afro things when I buy solder scukers from amazon. Are you supposed to use that instead of a wet sponge? I tried and I think I'm doing it wrong.

I like the brass wool for cleaning solder tips, though to be fair I haven’t used the wet sponge in a long time. It’s nice to not have that extra step of wetting the sponge.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I've always been and always had students grabbing the Weller WLC100/WTC100 for decades, but they don't seem to feel the same to me anymore, maybe because of dealing with ROHS complaint solder? I don't know. I keep almost pulling the trigger on the Haako FX88D, but haven't yet. Are you guys loving yours? Is it ok with ROHS solder?

Also, I always end up getting those copper afro things when I buy solder scukers from amazon. Are you supposed to use that instead of a wet sponge? I tried and I think I'm doing it wrong.

You kinda use both of them

This video is pretty good:

 

[griff10672]

You kinda use both of them

This video is pretty good:

Silver hakko's don't need a sponge or brass wool ..... Unicorns from the heavens come down and mule kick the old solder and flux right off ....

 

[joesatch]

Hakko FX888DX worth every penny. Heats up to full temp in 15 seconds!

 

[Music&Chaos]

Hello all, as an update, I was finally able to use my new Hakko FX888DX.....miles ahead of my previous iron.

This is giving me the results I hoped to have when soldering!

Satisfied with my choice so far.

 

[pipelineaudio]

I’M TRYING TO STOP SPENDING MONEY!!!

 

[LeftOurEyes]

Hakko is always a good choice.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I went with the diameter solder everyone recommends and I wish it were just a hair thicker.

I'll remember that next order!

 

[griff10672]

I went with the diameter solder everyone recommends and I wish it were just a hair thicker.

I'll remember that next order!

what diameter was recommended ?

 

[Music&Chaos]

what diameter was recommended ?

.031"

It is really nice to work with. I don't mind feeding it in. It is just a touch too flimsy for my handling though so a bit thicker for sure next time.

 

[griff10672]

.031"

It is really nice to work with. I don't mind feeding it in. It is just a touch too flimsy for my handling though so a bit thicker for sure next time.

you're just doing guitar work right ?

this is what I use ..... pedals ... guitars .... with amps I would step up in gauge for certain applications ...

https://www.amazon.com/Kester-24-63...i=B00068IJWC&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_1_t&th=1

 

[Music&Chaos]

you're just doing guitar work right ?

this is what I use ..... pedals ... guitars .... with amps I would step up in gauge for certain applications ...

https://www.amazon.com/Kester-24-63...i=B00068IJWC&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_1_t&th=1

I do guitars and some pedal stuff.

Yeah, yours is even smaller diameter!

What it probably is that I bought a roll previously that was quite a thick diameter and got used to it.

I'm sure once I fully adjust, this diameter will be fine.

 

[pipelineaudio]

Are you guys using the ROHS stuff now or still 60/40?

 

[griff10672]

I do guitars and some pedal stuff.

Yeah, yours is even smaller diameter!

What it probably is that I bought a roll previously that was quite a thick diameter and got used to it.

I'm sure once I fully adjust, this diameter will be fine.

you got one of these ???? This thing is my best friend ..... when I'm banging out a shit load of pedals ... I hang this right above my work area from the ceiling and just grab and feed as needed ...

https://www.amazon.com/Delcast-SL-R...i=B00PQF98X4&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_3_i&th=1

 

[rstites]

.031"

It is really nice to work with. I don't mind feeding it in. It is just a touch too flimsy for my handling though so a bit thicker for sure next time.

I use different sizes based on application. It might be worth picking up something a bit thicker and just setting this to the side for when you need it. It's not like solder has an expiration date on it.

Thread may be timely. My lab was flooded with a heavy rain a couple of weeks ago, so may be getting new soldering stations - which I just replaced last year! I'm pretty sure everything else was above water level, but the irons get stored bottom shelf.

 

[Music&Chaos]

you got one of these ???? This thing is my best friend ..... when I'm banging out a shit load of pedals ... I hang this right above my work area from the ceiling and just grab and feed as needed ...

https://www.amazon.com/Delcast-SL-R...i=B00PQF98X4&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_3_i&th=1

I'm definitely getting one of these sometime soon!

 

[Music&Chaos]

Are you guys using the ROHS stuff now or still 60/40?

I use this. Kester 63/37: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DE2QVIG?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_i_fed_asin_title

 

[pipelineaudio]

What’s the reason for 63/37? I’ve only used 60/40 and sometimes have to use ROHS compliant if the products are going to Europe and I am horrible with it compared to 60/40