Soldering station - I'm looking for one.

Unknown · 2011-05-01 05:22

I'm looking for a soldering iron because the BlackJack SolderWerks Hot Air System w SolderIron & Mech Arm (BK5000) is discontinued and is sold out. I was thinking about the BlackJack SolderWerks Soldering Station (BK2000) but the idea of not having the hot air re-work half of it means that I would have to spend money on a soldering station again.

I started soldering and the small Radio Shack irons that I bought at the store are not fine pitched enough to do pin headers or surface mount work.

I'm looking for something under $100 or $120, preferably.

Thank you

Paul Sr. · 2011-05-01 06:39

I have been looking around also and I have pretty much decided to get one of these:
http://sra-solder.com/product.php/6267/0

A bit more $$ than you were looking for, but it sounds like a lot of bang for the $$. Pretty good reviews around also.

Leon · 2011-05-01 07:34

For around $120 you might be able to find a second-hand Metcal STSS power unit with MX-500 accessories. That would be a far better buy than any new system you can get for that sort of money.

Franklin · 2011-05-01 08:33

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=303
http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=951SX
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU

All are good irons and have many different tips that are easy to change.

tonyp12 · 2011-05-01 08:49

http://www.mpja.com/departments.asp?dept=479

MPJA Model 304 (temp sold out): $169

LEAD FREE SMD REWORK STATION $249

RDL2004 · 2011-05-01 11:12

Also, go to eBay and search on Hakko. I bought a lightly used 937 there years ago for under $80 that I still use today. They have a large variety of irons, just look for one that fits your needs.

vaclav_sal · 2011-05-01 11:42

Just my 2 cents worth
Soldering stations are great - both for production and occasional hobby work.
However, in my 50 plus years of soldering I find fine temperature adjustment with digital temperature display little expensive overkill.
I use ANTEX for small circuit board work (15 W) and 100W iron for soldering antenna wire and recently used plumbers torch on my 1/2 copper tubing "hula hoop" antenna .

Personally I rather spend my money on high quality iron plated tip.
And since soldering tips do not last forever the most important for me is being able to buy replacement tips.

markaeric · 2011-05-01 14:35

I purchased Circuit Specialists (http://www.circuitspecialists.com) house-branded soldering/hot air station, and it works great.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2011-05-01 16:09

I've got one of these..

http://www.gadgetgangster.com/find-a-project/56.html?projectnum=46

It's cheap and does a great job. Had it well over a year now and it's working as well as when I bought it.
Not bad or a cheap unit.

OBC

44RosinCore · 2011-05-01 16:53

Me too! Comes to temperature quickly, has digital temp and air flow setting controls with digital display. If neglected, it automatically shuts off (I think 15 minutes). I've used it to remove various surface mount parts and had no problem at all -- quick and clean! I also have one of their inexpensive soldering stations. Been using it for years with no problems (and I use it constantly!) I have the Solomon SR-976 and the CSI 825A++ Together an outlay of around $142.

Guess that's more than you wanted to spend, but I'd say worth it

RDL2004 · 2011-05-01 23:21

http://www.eevblog.com/

Episode #168 - fast forward to 8:30 if you want.

Peter KG6LSE · 2011-05-02 00:20

xtrnoics makes good stuff and I have uswed edsyn for a few years now .

Peter

LoopyByteloose · 2011-05-02 06:29

I use a tin can with a few rocks in the bottom for insulation. Works for me.

bradharper · 2011-05-02 10:07

RDL2004 wrote: »

Also, go to eBay and search on Hakko. I bought a lightly used 937 there years ago for under $80 that I still use today. They have a large variety of irons, just look for one that fits your needs.

Same here. A few 937's are listed at present:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HAKKO-937-SOLDERING-SOLDER-STATION-110VAC-/160349524907?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D280645747309%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8870628628374458427

Leon · 2011-05-02 10:18

Here is an example of a Metcal system on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Metcal-soldering-station-/270742907811?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3f0988eba3

It's a good buy at that price, the cartridges can cost over £15 each. A stand for the handpiece will be required.

Soldering station - I'm looking for one.

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