Best Solder Station

AudioGenics
AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
edited March 2011 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
best solder station for the money ?
Post edited by AudioGenics on
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=374-100
    I have a few, and I gave some away to friends. Never had an issue. Works great.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2010
    http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291080036&sr=8-1

    One of the best investments I've made in this hobby.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited November 2010
    Surface mount or through hole ? For surface mount Met Cal makes a decent unit that will do through hole as well. If its for general type stuff and through hole, I've had good luck with the Weller's. Make sure you get one with adjustable temperature. :cool:
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,447
    edited November 2010
    +1 for the Weller... mine is the same model as being sold on Amazon, and it is well balanced and precise. It heats up quiclky and has an adjustable temp cotrol. I love it.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited November 2010
    OMG !
    Metcal Soldering Station, MX-5000 Series
    by OK INTL / METCAL
    Price: $1,010.00

    I appreciate the suggestion
    and the Weller is really nice too
    but for $10.00 and another $4.95 for extra tips I'm ordering the Stahl.

    THANKS Ben62670

    Left my Weller Station at my parents home.
    I got a Cooper iron on a weller cast stand with a homemade controller.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    You will be very happy with it. Mine is running right now doing a set of XO's.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited November 2010
    I have a Weller gun (great for the grunt work) and a Radio Shack pen.

    I've lusted after the Weller station for some time but at that price (and the endorsement of Ben) the Stahl looks like my next purchase.
    Sounds good to me...
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited November 2010
    AudioGenics wrote: »
    OMG !
    Metcal Soldering Station, MX-5000 Series
    by OK INTL / METCAL
    Price: $1,010.00

    I appreciate the suggestion
    and the Weller is really nice too
    but for $10.00 and another $4.95 for extra tips I'm ordering the Stahl.

    THANKS Ben62670

    Left my Weller Station at my parents home.
    I got a Cooper iron on a weller cast stand with a homemade controller.

    The Met Cal is what we used at 5601 Metro Drive. Like I said mainly for SMA and very delicate soldering. As far as the price it was on Matthew Polk's dime.
    Sorry but it did spoil me. The weller is what I use at home and works well for a variety of applications. :cool:
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited November 2010
    Taking the price into consideration, the Stahl's a good unit. The tip has fallen out of mine after using it for a full morning, our dining room table is now antiqued. The cord from the iron to the base is captive, and gets difficult to get the twists out. For $10 bucks I can deal with that.

    If I were looking to buy one without the thought of replacing it in a year or so, I'd go with the Weller Face linked to.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    Face wrote: »
    http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291080036&sr=8-1

    One of the best investments I've made in this hobby.

    Agreed, although I like the digital model. Excellent unit, either way.

    Weller is the name you want on your work desk and I paid around $65 for mine.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    The tips do need to be snugged up pretty tight. After a few heat cool cycles the tip hasn't loosened in a long time. The tips are very nice and have some mass to them. That is very helpful when doing a large joint, or tinning a heavy connector.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Agreed, although I like the digital model. Excellent unit, either way.

    Weller is the name you want on your work desk and I paid around $65 for mine.
    Yep, I'd never go for anything else than a weller (I've been spoiled, I admit :cool:)!

    Unless one can afford a PACE Soldering station http://www.paceworldwide.com/# you might as well stick wit Weller :wink:
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited November 2010
    Weller. I've been using them for years with no major issues. I've had to replace the cords, heating elements, and tips, but all the Wellers fit your finger grip, don't overheat your fingers, and work.
    I worked a bench for years and it's all I'd ever use.
    I've got a drawer full of off brand soldering irons I've bought over the years that just don't get used because they're uncomfortable to use and awkward.
    ECG has a nice 20w iron that heats up in a few seconds and heats to about 650 degrees that's nice for a "road box" iron. They're cheap.
    I'm going to order the Stahl just to check it out. Looks very good for the $$.
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2010
    I've got a drawer full of off brand soldering irons I've bought over the years that just don't get used because they're uncomfortable to use and awkward.
    Hey, you sure can Karma them my way! I'd love to participate in cleaning up that drawer with you. You can thank me later :wink:
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited November 2010
    Rev. Hayes wrote: »
    I have a Weller gun (great for the grunt work) and a Radio Shack pen.

    I've lusted after the Weller station for some time but at that price (and the endorsement of Ben) the Stahl looks like my next purchase.

    Don't let Doro see the "I have . . . Radio Shack pen" part of your post :biggrin:
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  • fatpiggy
    fatpiggy Posts: 205
    edited November 2010
    I have a basic Hakko solder station and Im very happy with it.Its a well known brand in the electronics industry, possibly a little bit more expensive than Weller.Weller is also a good brand.

    Fatpiggy
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited December 2010
    I got this one last summer, and am very happy with it.
    http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Soldering-Station-936-Iron/dp/B000ARU9HW
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  • audiobilly
    audiobilly Posts: 351
    edited December 2010
    ^^^^^^Yes^^^^^^+1

    Great Bang for the buck. Been using these Hakkos' professionally for 15+ years. Got one at work and one at home.
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited December 2010
    I would vote for the Hakko.

    Here is an Aoyue 937 digital unit that will work with Hakko tip's.

    http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000I30QBW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291396375&sr=8-2

    Can't speak personally to this Iron, just wanted to point it out. You will have to use the Amazon review section to make up your own mind.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited March 2011
    Sorry for the thread revive, but I was wondering what you guys thought about this Stahl TCSS station.

    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=374-200
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,574
    edited March 2011
    for the price looks good when my 20.00 dies may step up if still on sale, but then again the one Ben recommended works GREAT
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  • bkeane1259
    bkeane1259 Posts: 54
    edited March 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    for the price looks good when my 20.00 dies may step up if still on sale, but then again the one Ben recommended works GREAT

    I don't think there is a better "bang for the buck" soldering station as that one, and they are in stock again FYI. PE sometimes runs out of these and for good reason!!

    Stahl Tools SSVT Variable Temperature Soldering Station
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited March 2011
    I bought one on Ben's advice and I love it.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited March 2011
    Weller.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited March 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Weller.

    Yep.......
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

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  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 570
    edited March 2011
    For potential solder slingers, maybe this would be a good place for this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4%26feature=related

    Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it!

    On my home bench, I use and love a Hakko station and a Pace desoldering station.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."

    More amazing Internet Science Pink Panther wisdom..."My DAC has since been upgraded from Mark Levinson to Topping."
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited March 2011
    "IF you can shoot pool you can use a broomstick"
    Learn how to use the iron before digging into good gear.
    Yea, you know who I'm referring to!
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,164
    edited March 2011
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    For potential solder slingers, maybe this would be a good place for this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4%26feature=related

    Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it!

    On my home bench, I use and love a Hakko station and a Pace desoldering station.

    CJ

    Thanks for posting that video.:wink:

    I did learn something tonight. I'll rewatch that again later when I do some more soldering on a board or something.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited March 2011
    Just got my Weller WES-51 Soldering Station the other day, along with an assortment of tips. It did not come with a sponge, damn it!!! Oh well, time to break out the cutters and make a specialized sponge that will fit the tray.
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited March 2011
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    For potential solder slingers, maybe this would be a good place for this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4%26feature=related

    Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it!
    CJ

    Did anyone notice that the author of that video was using a Weller for the soldering and the (c)rust formed soldering pen was a radio shack pen?

    Cant wait for the flux to arrive before I start to use my Weller station!
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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