Suggestions on soldering kit

ITO

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Hey guys,

looking to buy a good soldering kit/setup. Dont mind spending a few extra bucks on something worthwhile. Anyone have some suggestions/ experiences to share?

Thanks,

Lance
 
I have a Hakko 936, which you can get from $50-$80, depending on sales, etc.

It's a popular temp-controlled, ESD-safe, ceramic element soldering station. Tips are common and cheap as well, though I've been using the same tip for years. It's built the way things "used" to be built.

There are tons of Chinese knock-offs. Make sure you get a Hakko from a reputable dealer.
http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?PID=1250&Page=1

and while you're at it, get a Hakko 808 de-soldering gun. It will save you hundreds of hours in labor.


No, I don't work for Hakko, but I get excited when products exceed my expectations :)

And, be the coolest kid on the block with these:
http://www.hakkousa.com/AHPDirect/images/936-skins2.jpg
 
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I've got a Tenma 21-1590. Works fine. I've had a couple of bum iron heating elements though. I've had two of them die in less than 6 months, while two others have lasted years...

If I were looking for a new one, I'd seriously consider the Weller WESD51.
 
i got a Weller WESD51 as a gift. after having used it on several projects i like it enough that if i had to i'd buy another one, though with the reputation Weller has i probably won't have to.
 
I use a weller too I have had it 10 hrs works great. Hakko for desoldering. Stay away from the knock offs.
Tony
 
I use a weller too I have had it 10 hrs works great. Hakko for desoldering. Stay away from the knock offs.
Tony

I disagree on staying away from the knockoffs... I have 3 (good) standard soldering irons... a Weller WES51, a Hakko 936, and an Aoyue 908... my favorite is definitely the Hakko 936, though my second favorite (and the one I use the most) is the Aoyue 908 (Hakko knockoff).

The Aoyue solders almost identically to the Hakko (and it even has a Hakko heating element and can use Hakko tips), but the cord is shorter and not quite as flexible on the soldering iron, which is why I like the Hakko. But the Aoyue 908 is a little bigger since it has the hot air tool, so I typically leave that one on my workbench (so it gets used the most). The Hakko is smaller and more portable, so I usually use that when I'm soldering away from my workbench (like inside a cabinet). The Weller is okay, but it has a longer recovery time than the Hakko and Aoyue.

For reliability, I have yet to have any of them fail, and I've had all of them for over 3 years (I got the Hakko probably ~5 years ago). I use the Aoyue almost every day, the others get used a few times a month.

Of course if you want to spend a lot of money, I'd personally go with Pace... I use them on occasion at work, and they solder like a dream. The Metcals are also good (that's what most people have at work), though I definitely prefer the Pace, and would almost argue that I like my Hakko better (of course depending on what I'm soldering). I wouldn't get a micro-tip iron for normal arcade related soldering work though.

DogP
 
I've got a Tenma 21-1590. Works fine. I've had a couple of bum iron heating elements though. I've had two of them die in less than 6 months, while two others have lasted years...

If I were looking for a new one, I'd seriously consider the Weller WESD51.
Interesting time for this thread to come up. I have a 7935 which looks like the same as yours, but probably just the previous model and it looks like MCM doesn't stock it anymore. Overall I'm happy with my Tenma station. My original iron (still with original tip) crapped out tonight after 2 years (right while I was doing a cap kit too :() . The reviews on MCM's website aren't very good for the iron, but I did get 2 new ones off ebay for a little cheaper than MCM sells them for. Can you replace just heating element in your iron or is it like mine where the whole thing needs to re replaced?
 
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