xero
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im looking to buy a new soldering iron / station for tiny electronics work.
do i go low heat or variable? any suggestions are welcome.

here's what i have been looking at so far

low heat: http://j.mp/fCSdDG + stand: http://j.mp/dMtM4e
variable heat: http://j.mp/fbjt6r
sparkfun station: http://j.mp/eojxVd
hakko station: http://j.mp/hFsuXJ

i really dont want to go over $100 (or much over) for a station.
do i really need that much heat range? everything i will be doing
is simple wiring, adding/desoldering electronic components, and the like.

also, i was thinking about these "helping hands" things.
i always feel like i need a 3rd hand when soldering, are
they worth it? what do you use? diy alligator clips things?

thanx in advance.

Last edited by xero (Mar 29, 2011 3:58 pm)

Batsly Adams
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Brooklyn, NY

I would go variable heat - here is a comfortable station for not much more than the one you posted - I've been using it for years. The pencil is comfortable to hold / weighted correctly if you happen to be working for a while.
Weller WLC100

Also I can't stress enough how important it is having a 3rd hand - for delicate (think small gauge wire) / board work. I personally use a Panavyse jr. - which is a little different but serves pretty much the same purpose. I had a cheapo one with the clips but I lost them all.

Last edited by Batsly Adams (Mar 29, 2011 4:20 pm)

Alley Beach
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clovis CA

i have a hakko tip if anyone wants it =]

xero
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Batsly Adams wrote:

I would go variable heat - here is a comfortable station for not much more than the one you posted - I've been using it for years. The pencil is comfortable to hold / weighted correctly if you happen to be working for a while.
Weller WLC100

Also I can't stress enough how important it is having a 3rd hand - for delicate (think small gauge wire) / board work. I personally use a Panavyse jr. - which is a little different but serves pretty much the same purpose. I had a cheapo one with the clips but I lost them all.

thanx batsly, i found that weller wlc100 for $40 on frys...
seems like a great deal. but i was reading reviews of the machine, and it says the machine is grounded
but the iron is not...

eham wrote:

The unit does come with a 3-prong, grounded cord and 3-prong, grounded outlet for the included iron but the iron supplied is a 2-prong (ungrounded) unit. You could plug in another grounded iron but make sure it is 40 watts or less, the same as the supplied SPG40. A higher wattage unit risks overloading the control circuitry. source (4th post)

that seems odd. is ESD that big of an issue that i should be worrying about it?
my old iron wasnt grounded, so i guess i'll be cool... now i gotta find a 3rd hand.

thanx for the suggestion!

arfink
Offline
Minneapolis

Yeah, ESD is only going to be a big issue if you have sensitive components. Most of the time you can get away with an ungrounded iron, but some components are unusually sensitive. If you take the normal ESD precautions like the wrist strap etc. you'll likely be fine for most of the time.

xero
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arfink wrote:

...If you take the normal ESD precautions... you'll likely be fine for most of the time.

thanx for that ;D