Soldering station or iron recommendations

Emlyn
Emlyn Posts: 4,530
edited September 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Considering doing some soldering at home for repairs and modifications to some things, and plan on getting fairly serious about it, so I want to get my own gear for soldering. Looking for recommendations what's the best cost/performance wise today and something that will last for the long term. Suggestions? How about this from Weller?

Partsexpress
Post edited by Emlyn on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2005
    This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

    WELLER WTCPT
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited August 2005
    dorokusai wrote:
    This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

    WELLER WTCPT


    I too also own one of those WTCPT had it for years.... Top end Weller all the way. :p Doro Telco guys must think a like. :eek:

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • masanz1
    masanz1 Posts: 511
    edited August 2005
    another nod for weller. I use one on my rc stuff and it works great
    Matthew
    Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason


    HT

    Yamaha RX-V2500
    CS400-Center
    SDA 1A-Mains
    RT20-Surround
    None right now-Rears
    SVS 20-39PCi
    Infocus IN72
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,530
    edited August 2005
    dorokusai wrote:
    This is the one I have...and it's perfect for everything including Cardas products. Go industrial.

    WELLER WTCPT

    I like it. Hardcore! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited August 2005
    One of the most painful things I've ever done (as a teenager), was grab a Weller from the wrong end. Self branding sucks.
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ezc
    ezc Posts: 426
    edited August 2005
    I agree weller! I use a weller WSD 81, lots of tips to choose from. http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?itemId=176400
    So far I like this station best. I got it about 2 mo ago & It to me is better than my old wtcpt. The pencil on the 81 is skinner & fits better in my hand especially when its a bigger job. I use the station for electronic repairs, a/v repairs & hobby. couldnt be happier. Myu station is used 6 days a week.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited August 2005
    If I could find the irons my dad has from when he was a field service tech, I'd say to use those but I don't think they are made anymore. That said, Weller may not be the absolute best out there but they are very good pieces of equipment and they have several heads that can be interchanged for different soldering needs. That also has an adjustable temperature control which is important especially when working with printed circuit boards like what is found in some crossovers. It can seem a little pricey at ~$145 but you can be pretty much rest assured that you will not need another one for a very long time. That would not be a bad buy in any respect. The other bonus is that IIRC, it comes with hardware to mount it to the work bench which is a good safety measure.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2005
    Emlyn wrote:
    How about this from Weller?

    Partsexpress

    I have used this iron at a friends house. It is just ok. Doesn't feel real good, gets hot on the handle but works. I am used to using the ones at work (like Doro has). Actually I have one at home I like even better for audio stuff and it is cheaper in price. I'll get the number off of it.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2005
    Mine at home is an Ungar 921ZX but unfortunatly it is out of production. I chose it because our re-work person liked it much better for fine stuff. You really can't beat the one Doro recommended if you want to pay that much. I think you could get by with the cheapy though.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited August 2005
    The one from Parts Express is good as a starter. Nice for soldering wires, and if you get a smaller tip, good for through hole parts.

    The one that Doro recommends is what we use at work (well, other than our super duper surface mount soldering station). Great all around station and they last forever.
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,530
    edited August 2005
    Great suggestions and advice. Thanks. I knew I asked in the right place. :)

    Looks like I'll probably be getting the Weller WTCPT. The WSD 81 is probably more than I'd need for occasional use rather than every day use, and I'd likely end up eventually having to replace the lower powered type if I got one of those.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2005
    Mark - Let me look up the price thru work, I may be able to get it cheaper for you.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited August 2005
    I dropped by Fry's today and found that there was a WTCPT inside their locked cage with a sticker printed $104.99!!! Real? I had to run but will check it out later this week. If so, sounds like a good deal.

    -fredv-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited August 2005
    It is real, same price at outpost:
    http://shop3.outpost.com/product/1723113?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

    -fredv-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,530
    edited August 2005
    dorokusai wrote:
    Mark - Let me look up the price thru work, I may be able to get it cheaper for you.

    Thanks Mark. That would be outstanding.

    Fred, the price from Fry's does look great too.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Burnzy
    Burnzy Posts: 250
    edited August 2005
    Just found this one, also has a fume filter...

    Soldering Station w/ integrated Fume Extractor (456DLX)
    SYSTEM
    HDTV ..........Sony KP-57WV600
    CD / DVD......Sony DVP-C675D
    AVR ............Denon 2801
    MAINS .........Polk RTi8
    CENTER .......Polk CSi5
    Surrounds ....Polk FXi3
    Sub ............Polk PSW-250
    Cables.........Zebra Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited September 2005
    What's the fun in soldering all day and not having that terrible smell right under your nose for the rest of the day? That and fiberglass resin are two of those smells that just stick around with you for an entire day.
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited September 2005
    You're not supposed to burn the resin.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lpgautogas
    lpgautogas Posts: 2
    edited September 2010
    Hai your soldering recomendation topic is very useful.smileynormal.ico
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lpgautogas
    lpgautogas Posts: 2
    edited September 2010
    Soldering station other recomendation.smileynormal.ico
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited September 2010
    This is what i use:
    http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited September 2010
    Another vote for the Weller WTCPT. I prefered it when it was made in the USA though.


    Greg
    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

    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited September 2010
    I bought this Hakko soldering station in June. I've used it for some speaker updates I've done, and it seems to be pretty good. It has a 5 star rating at Amazon.
    http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Soldering-Station-936-Iron/dp/B000ARU9HW
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited September 2010
    Weller is good, but this is an EXCELLENT soldering station for under $50:

    Circuit Specialists

    Name Code Qty Each Options
    Soldering Station with SR-976N 1 41.95
    Ceramic Heater (SR-976N)
    Soldering Station with 976T-SB 1 4.95
    Ceramic Heater (SR-976N):
    Extra Tip - 0.3mm
    Soldering Station with 976T-BC 1 4.95
    Ceramic Heater (SR-976N):
    Extra Tip - 1.0mm
    Soldering Station with 976T-4C 1 4.95
    Ceramic Heater (SR-976N):
    Extra Tip - 4.0mm
    Subtotal 56.80
    Shipping 9.40
    Tax 0.00
    Total 66.20
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter