Soldering Iron Question
laotzu61
Posts: 327
is a 15 watt soldering iron adequate for most diy/kit building-electronics applications? thanks.
"The symbol is not the reality"
Post edited by laotzu61 on
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No, a low wattage iron is more likely to ruin whatever you're working on. I would look for a 40 watt or an adjustable temp iron from Weller."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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or an adjustable temp iron from Weller.
That's the ticket.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 -
This is the low power iron I recommend if you don't want to invest in a full station; and it does make a difference.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=372-112 -
is a 15 watt soldering iron adequate for most diy/kit building-electronics applications? thanks.Home Theater/2 Channel:
Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
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I have seen the adjustable Wellers locally for like $33.
I think they are 0-40 watt IIRC.
The Weller WES-51 is the best I have used, and roughly $99?
Once you buy it you will never have buyers remorse.:cheesygrin:
You might get away with doing the smaller stuff, with a 15 watt if you clean and flux everything and use good solder.
I would definitely be looking for better tho!
Edit:
They are 5-40 watts!
Weller wlc-100:
Around $35.
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/solder/wlc100.htm?ref=gbase&gclid=CPDZir-a7LcCFXRo7AodpDcApgTesting
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My Weller adjustable station is great, and I spend less time waiting for the iron and the components to heat up. The stations are also much easier to use as the electronics aren't in the handle.
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I use the WS-51 and it may not be in the OP's price range but I strongly suggest you stretch you budget.
Well worth it, extremely capable tool!
I went through several other types before this one (going on 2 years).
Never looked back, sweet piece of equipment.
About $100.
The Hakko's have a great following/reputation also, never tried one, but a simple search will reveal the feedback.
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I've been using the WS-51 for about 4 years now and still love it."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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Which one.
Analog for $86.57
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+ws-51
Digital for $143.
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000ARU9PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+ws-51Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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Three 20 amp circuits. -
thanks, guys. the wc-51 is the one i'm snooping at. the wes-51 in the future. thanks again."The symbol is not the reality"
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Which one.
Analog for $86.57
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+ws-51
Digital for $143.
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000ARU9PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+ws-51
Sorry, typo, I have been using the WES-51 (prolly the same Zingo mentioned) and love it after 2 years.
You'd have a hard time getting it out my shop!
Excellent always, with everything I have thrown at it (Large speaker cables. large shielded grounds/drains, thick spades, car audio which gets pretty large, ect. ect.).
Its the real deal, hard working tool for tweaking, cables, whatever, worth every penny!Testing
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http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/solder/wlc100.htm----this is the one i'm looking at to start with."The symbol is not the reality"
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I am sure most of you guys know, soldering takes 5 seconds, where as prepping all the components, cleaning, tinning, flux ect. takes 2 hours (if you got alot to do)!
Alot of people concentrate on the solder part.
Pfffffffffft!
It is the prep that kills ya, especially if you are re-soldering (de-solder, clean, flux, tin, ect...)!:eek:Testing
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that's nice. the link page doesn't show up. anyway, it's the WLC100. I've heard that before, pepster. have some homework to do---."The symbol is not the reality"
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The Hakko's have a great following/reputation also, never tried one, but a simple search will reveal the feedback.
Yep. I have the Hakko FX-888. Hard to say anything bad about a Weller, but I actually think the Hakko is built a little better, and gives you more features for your money.
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Which one.
Analog for $86.57
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+ws-51
Digital for $143.
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000ARU9PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371514011&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+ws-51
Both work very well, and I can't find a preference between the digital and analog control. -
I have both a Weller WES-51 and a Weller WTCPT. I use both depending on what work I am doing. They are both spectacular soldering units. One absolutely great thing about the Weller WTCPT is that it keeps a "constant" temperature at the tip and is great for binding posts, and other high heat requirement applications. The Weller WES-51 is better for more fine work or anything that needs temperature adustment due to heat requirments. That's my take on it....
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
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
I replaced my Wes-51 with a jbc.
http://www.jbctools.com/compact-category-10.html.
I have not noticed any difference in the soldering that I do between this super expensive unit and the relatively inexpensive Wes-51. Both will last lifetimes. But for some reason I look forward to soldering with the jbc. -
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Picked this up at last years MWAF: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=374-100
I used it for tinning cable. Currently $15. Looks like the Weller in another color. -
Habanero Monk wrote: »Picked this up at last years MWAF: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=374-100
I used it for tinning cable. Currently $15. Looks like the Weller in another color.
While the above station is OK for the price. It does sometimes take it awhile to rebound to temp if doing a lot of circuit work. I used it for awhile and looked for something better I could live with without spending a C note. I found this station and it is very accurate the temp on the front is TRUE temp(I tested) and it can be calibrated if by chance it is off.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html -
wow!! thanks for all the info; all of you. hey pitdogg2; I am really going to have to check that puppy out. thanks."The symbol is not the reality"
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I would go ahead and spend the C-note and get a Hakko (or Weller). IMO a soldering iron is one of those tools you don't know you need until you have one, then you wonder how you lived without it. I bought mine for a single project but I've used it numerous times since.
RT-12, CS350-LS, PSW-300, Infinity Overture 1, Monoprice RC-65i
Adcom GFA-545II, GFA-6000, Outlaw Audio 990, Netgear NeoTV
Denon DCM-460, DMD-1000, Sony BDP-360, Bravia KDL-40Z4100/S
Monster AVL-300, HTS-2500 MKII