soldering irons

smilesrs,

You failed to say what the heat range of your Weller. I always buy a copy exactly like the one being replaced. After all you are used to that type and heat range. Down the road purchase the next heat range up. Just a thought due to the fact that you're used to the old unit while it was giving up the ghost. 

Sorry, it was the W100P 100 Watt and I'm thinking of going to the digital type.

I really like my Hakko FX888D, I replaced an aging but still working Weller soldering station with it, and I have to say it's worked out well.  A bonus of the Hakko is you can actually calibrate the tip temperature so it matches what the display says, an important feature for soldering circuit boards and other delicate jobs.

John,

At 70 watts input power, it would seem that your unit is designed for circuit board work, and may not have the power to do larger jobs. What is your experience with the unit in soldering parts such as a roller pickup with a large mass that would act like a heat sink?

Nice unit at a good price if it can do the job of higher power units.

Larry

I got a Weller analog soldering station. If I had it to do over, I would get the Hakko that gunrunnerjohn recommended above. That's a very nice setup and not a great deal more expensive than the Weller I have. I may yet end up getting the Hakko and putting my Weller in back-up reserve service.

Larry, when you're talking about soldering irons, IMO one size doesn't really fit all.

I use the Hakko for my bench work for wiring, circuit boards, etc.  95% of my soldering is accomplished with that iron.  You'd be surprised how much heat you can get out of a 70W iron.  For stuff that requires more heat, I use the 100/140W Weller gun.  I broke it out yesterday to solder some brass tubing for a smoke unit installation.

I don't know of any 100W or more soldering irons or stations at a reasonable price that would be suitable for all tasks.

Thanks for the feedback Gentlemen. I'm gonna look at some that you have suggested and by the way; do you find one certain tip type or style to work better for a variety of tasks over others.

I use a fine point tip for most of my work, I can change to a small chisel tip for heavier work.  Typically, if I need the larger tip, I usually just grab the soldering gun.  I do a lot of wiring and circuit board work, so the pointed tip works well for most of my uses.

The gun can be had for $30-40, and I've never come across any task that it wouldn't handle.  If I need more than 140 watts for soldering something, it's time to get out my propane torch.

I recommend care when selecting the soldering station, good tools are worth the price.  I made the mistake of first buying an off-brand soldering station and I regretted it.  It quickly got retired and I decided to bite the bullet and get the Hakko.  I don't regret the choice, it's just a lot more pleasant to use good tools.  I have the off-brand one as a backup if I ever need it.

I bought a Hakko station (888D) about 8 months ago. Love it. I thought I would still be using my Weller gun for "heavy" stuff, but haven't had to yet.  This is a terrific tool.

Roger

I bought a Snap-On r450b soldering gun. It came with 3 tip sizes. It's a single post gun. Does a real good job. I have a soldering station i bought off Ebay. It's a 937D YIHUA esd station, esd safe. Haven't used it yet. Is this a good unit? I don't know much about these soldering stations.

I don't know anything about the Yihua soldering stations.  The specs for this one is 45 watts, I like the Hakko because it has 70 watts and holds the temperature right on.  I also like the fact that I can calibrate the tip temperature so it's spot-on to what the display reads.

Thanks John, i can calibrate this station too, and it has a temp display on it. It appears to be a well made unit.

If it works for you, that's all that counts.   I've never seen one, so I can't really give a factual review.

John, what size tip for the FX888D do you recommend for soldering 16 awg wire to Atlas rails ? 

Thanks,

Mike Miller

For rails, I'd probably use the chisel tip.  This one is appropriate for track work.  It's the T18-S3 Shape-S3 one.

This is the one we use  Its awesome  Has adjustable temperature and a myriad of different tips for different applications  Its the Hakko FX951

I have a different Hakko than bluelinec, I think its no longer made.

We use Hakko at work for adding thru hole components on circuit boards and some cable assemblies.

I like the interchangeable tips, but I will admit the initial outlay can be costly. Some vendor had a two-for-one sale on Hakko when it first came out, and I went in with CharlieT. Not sure if he really got the use out of it that I did.

The Hakko FX888D is less than $100, and it's a tool that will last you for many years.  I think it's well worth the minimal investment.

Hi Guys

About solder, what's my best ratio to use for wire to wire and wire to rail?

Tks

Tommy

I generaly use the smallest dia rosen core solder i can find. That way i don't overheat the parts i am soldering. Radio Shack sells it.

I use the 63/37 for most of my work.  For rails, I have a roll of .031 diameter, for PCB work, I use a finer pitch .021 diameter solder.

I switched over from 60/40 to 63/37 on the recommendation of Gunrunnerjohn about a year ago and never looked back. Wonderful stuff!

-Roger

You answered the question better than i did John. Plus i learned something.

The benefit of 63/37 is that it is eutectic, which means that it changes from liquid to solid at a single temperature, 60/40 is non-eutectic and has a temperature range where it's a pasty mess.  If you move the joint during the solidification, you will probably get a cold solder joint.  The eutectic alloy greatly reduces the possibility of cold solder joints as it goes directly from liquid to solid at a single temperature.  Also, the melting point of 63/37 is the lowest of common solder alloys at 361 °F.  60/40 melts (and solidifies) in the range of 361–374 °F.

Hello Micheal, good to hear from you.

I just saw this post and will echo what everyone else said about the Hakko. Working with the Hakko has been an absolute pleasure.

I came from a Weller station that I "thought" was fine. After I tried the Hakko I was hooked. Maybe the best piece of advice I can give is that if you in the market for a quality soldering station try the Hakko and you will not be sorry.

Charlie

Its the Hakko FX951.    I just got this Soldering set up  a month ago.  Can't  wait to use it.   My old Weller soldering iron finally bit the dust Too.

Thanks Guys

Great info, I learn so much every visit

Tommy