Soldering Iron Suggestion?

[darkprince]

I am debating which one i should get, kind of newb at this stuff.

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=6412004&category=Soldering+Tools&catalog=Online&tab=1#more

OR

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Soldering+Tools&product=6412031


Any thoughts are recommendation on these two irons?

Thanks

[Gee]

They are both crap. But I think the yellow is probably a better unit. The first one cost more because of the desoldering pump.

If you want a good iron, get a Hakko Iron

[darkprince]

Is there a cheap/decent one you can suggestion.

Projects including Controllers, Cellphone, Wii Mod?

[divx]

cheap ones from the source works fine, I have no problem with it

[eltonrebello]

FYI I just recieved the Active Electronics flyer. They had quite a few soldering irons on sale you may want to check them out.

I don't think they have the flyer on the website but you can check.

www.active123.com

[jumran]

I got the yellow one couple of days ago. It works ok but takes a long time to warm up and after awhile the plastic gets too hot too touch. Build quality is really cheap.

[Gee]

Go get a beginner's iron from Sayal Electronics. You can get a 25 Watt Weller for relatively cheap.

It will last longer than the cheap ones and the tips can be easily replaced.

[Goonish]

Depends on how serious you are about soldering. A good soldering iron goes a long way, especially one with a temperature dial. A lot of people will recommend something from Weller as they make some good solder stations/irons but for my money, the Hakko 936 is the way to go for $100.

[Gee]

Depends on how serious you are about soldering. A good soldering iron goes a long way, especially one with a temperature dial. A lot of people will recommend something from Weller as they make some good solder stations/irons but for my money, the Hakko 936 is the way to go for $100.

I am with you. A good iron will go a long way. Hakko is the only way to go.

[darkprince]

Thank you everyone for their input and suggestions.

I am no electrical wize/engineer just season/temp hobbyist that wants learn and play around for a bit. Mainly to create the Rapid Fire Mod for the ps3 and 360 controller. *wink*

But as for future reference I'll definitely keep Hakko brand in mind. =)

Weller it is!

[Gee]

There are two basic models for the Weller, the one with the red handle is cheaper. 25 Watts, it also has an LED to help you see. The handle is plastic but it will not get really hot, just warm.

The Blue one is a little more pricy and it has a better handle and does not get warm, just mild. Expect to pay double the price.

15 Watts is recommend for most electronics, but you can't go wrong with a 25 or 30 watt as long as you are careful.

Start with a chisel tip and practice.

[darkprince]

HomeDepot Basic Weller Iron (http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=900922&Ntt=900922&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber)
OR
Canadian Tire Weller Kit (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?postal=m4x1m2&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441900255&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672981&bmForm=form_set_price_list&bmFormID=1236322134850&bmUID=1236322134850&bmHash=b3c68fba0814225e881905728acd6ce67e979718)

Can't seem to find the Blue Handle you were talkin about.

Another Noobie question; is there any other accessory i should get to prolong the tips usage, desoldering devices, what is the best solder to use for electronics like controllers?

I noticed there isn't any soldering topics on RFD. :confused: So appreciate the help Gee. :cheesygri

[Gee]

The Home Depot is the red one I was talking about. Can't go wrong for $20

All you really need is a damp sponge. Make sure you tin the tip before each use and clean your tip after each use. The sponge is used to remove excess solder. Never apply the solder directly to the tip (rookie mistake). Always heat the contact and apply solder to the contact, not the iron.

Find an old motherboard and practice on it.

Accessories you should consider, when you get a little more proficient.

Solder Wick
De-Soldering Pump
Flux

It is getting harder to find lead solder, so just get solder for electronics. It will usually have some tin content.

[TruE SkiLLS]

if ur doing circuitboard soldering, u might want to get ones with a thinner pin head. (esp wii modding)

I'd personally say get a better soldering iron (hekko) and it'll last u a lifetime.

[Ziggs]

Yeah, I've got a Weller from CT. Works fine for general electronics work. I'm impatient about waiting for it to heat up, though.

If I was to buy another one, I might be looking at the cordless models. Flame would be nice, but I think battery powered might be more realistic. I don't know how well the "cold heat" irons work. Maybe someone has some experience with this.

[darkprince]

Yeah, I've got a Weller from CT. Works fine for general electronics work. I'm impatient about waiting for it to heat up, though.

If I was to buy another one, I might be looking at the cordless models. Flame would be nice, but I think battery powered might be more realistic. I don't know how well the "cold heat" irons work. Maybe someone has some experience with this.

I read alot of reviews about COLDHEAT, they seem to have alot of issues mainly with their patent soldering TIP. issues like it breaking, cracking, and not heating up the points. I remember being offer this if i signed up for some MasterCard at Pmall.

@True Skills

Well I don't plan to do this for long period as well I am new, don't want to destroy something expensive.

I don't have the TruE SkiLLs to wield the all mighty Hakko soldering iron like some of you guys/gals here. :cheesygri

[l69norm]

I read alot of reviews about COLDHEAT, they seem to have alot of issues mainly with their patent soldering TIP. issues like it breaking, cracking, and not heating up the points. I remember being offer this if i signed up for some MasterCard at Pmall. @True Skills Well I don't plan to do this for long period as well I am new, don't want to destroy something expensive. I don't have the TruE SkiLLs to wield the all mighty Hakko soldering iron like some of you guys/gals here. :cheesygri

+1, stay away from 'coldheat'.

In general, it's a skills/practice thing. I would go with the cheaper one for now and practice on old boards. A guy who knows what he is doing can do anazing things with a cheap iron, whereas a guy who doesn't know what he is during will still be a butcher even with a fancy soldering station.

Also, get a decent vacuum desoldering pump like a clone solderpault