Hi all,
I want to set up a decent soldering station. Any suggestions on what I should look for in a soldering iron (and solder for that matter). Any other suggestions on kit that is particularly useful.
Thanks,
Jeremy
There are some good recommendations in EEVBlog tutorial. It's probably just in the first part, but I'm not sure so here are all of them.
1. youtu.be/J5Sb21qbpEQ 2. youtu.be/fYz5nIHH0iY 3. youtu.be/b9FC9fAlfQE
Hi Jeremy,
On 15 October 2013 10:11, Jeremy Bennett jeremy.bennett@embecosm.com wrote:
Hi all,
I want to set up a decent soldering station. Any suggestions on what I should look for in a soldering iron (and solder for that matter). Any other suggestions on kit that is particularly useful.
I have a Weller iron and 24v transformer and they've served me well for ~22 years, with many times just left on all day. The soldering iron did stop working earlier this year and I've been using my backup Antex mains iron since, but I'm about to purchase a new 24v Weller iron. It might be possible to repair it as you can get most parts, but it's a less common model and I thought I'd treat myself to a new one.
Noticed a big different in going from using the Weller iron to using the Antex one (which is actually not bad for the money).
In any case, this looks to be the equivalent current Weller model:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/soldering-stations/3320357/
As for solder, I only ever use the stuff with lead in it, as I find the lead free stuff horrible to use and if you have to do any rework you can quickly end up ruining the PCB since it has a higher melting point. Lead solder is fine for my purposes and perhaps prototyping in general, but obviously no good for use in consumer products.
Best,
Andrew
Hi,
I want to set up a decent soldering station. Any suggestions on what I should look for in a soldering iron (and solder for that matter). Any other suggestions on kit that is particularly useful.
I've been asked this question before and thought I had a whole essay up my sleeve. After searching for it for Little While, I can't find it.
Suffice to say, I have this:
It's very good.
Unfortunately it looks like it might difficult to get these days.
A little bit of digging suggests that it might be a rebranded Tenma and one of these looks like it might be the newer version:
Regards, @ndy
http://jpb.li/gYmNj It's very good. Unfortunately it looks like it might difficult to get these days.
CPC still list it: http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=SD01383
Nigle
A little bit of digging suggests that it might be a rebranded Tenma and one of these looks like it might be the newer version:
I actually own this one, and I'm not too happy with it. The build quality of the iron bit is pretty pour in my opinion, and I already had to replace the ceramic heating element because the iron couldn't handle the pressure I needed to apply in order to wick some solder blob. It was relatively cheap when I got it, and I regret not going for a more expensive, higher quality station.
My experience, anyway.
saar.
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 11:58 AM, Andy Bennett andyjpb@ashurst.eu.orgwrote:
Hi,
I want to set up a decent soldering station. Any suggestions on what I should look for in a soldering iron (and solder for that matter). Any other suggestions on kit that is particularly useful.
I've been asked this question before and thought I had a whole essay up my sleeve. After searching for it for Little While, I can't find it.
Suffice to say, I have this:
It's very good.
Unfortunately it looks like it might difficult to get these days.
A little bit of digging suggests that it might be a rebranded Tenma and one of these looks like it might be the newer version:
Regards, @ndy
-- andyjpb@ashurst.eu.org http://www.ashurst.eu.org/ 0x7EBA75FF
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All the comments so far make perfect sense to me.
I much prefer lead/tin multicore solder to the dreadful new-fangled lead-free variety, but I’m installing a simple centrifugal extractor fan (bathroom type) under my workbench. The exhaust side is vented outside to a roof vent, and the intake side will connected to freely moveable piece of flexible duct on the top side of the workbench, so I can move it near the piece I’m soldering. It’s an el cheapo version of those £350 extractor kits you see around the place. I’ll feel a bit more comfortable letting the kids solder when I’ve got this up and running.
- Andrew
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Andrew Back -
Andrew Katz -
Andy Bennett -
Ilya Dmitrichenko -
Jeremy Bennett -
Nigel Worsley -
Saar Drimer