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Related

Inexpensive Soldering Iron?

keno
keno over 6 years ago

Hi,

 

As a poor student am looking for an inexpensive soldering iron for small infrequent projects.

 

Have done some searching and the least expensive I have found is Harbor Freight 30 Watt Lightweight Soldering Iron ($3.99 Compare to $9.99, Ironton 43985).  https://www.harborfreight.com/30-watt-lightweight-soldering-iron-69060.html

 

Appreciate any comments and other recommendations.

 

Thanks

 

Ken

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  • fmilburn
    fmilburn over 6 years ago +5 suggested
    Hi Ken, I doubt anyone here will recommend a cheap soldering irons without temperature control for electronics. Better to spend a bit more if you can. Look for on that has adjustable temperature and changeable…
  • dougw
    dougw over 6 years ago in reply to fmilburn +5 suggested
    Frank is right, temperature control is important as soon as you can afford it. However I used a cheap uncontrolled iron for several decades before I could afford a temperature controlled iron. To use a…
  • fmilburn
    fmilburn over 6 years ago +5 suggested
    I have one of the Harbor Freight soldering iron that looks like the one you linked to which I kept for some reason. Here is the tip that came with it (top) next to the Hakko (bottom) I normally use. It…
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  • fmilburn
    0 fmilburn over 6 years ago

    Hi Ken,

     

    I doubt anyone here will recommend a cheap soldering irons without temperature control for electronics.  Better to spend  a bit more if you can.  Look for on that has adjustable temperature and changeable tips.   It is possible to get a useable iron in the $20 to $30 range that is suitable for electronics. 

     

    https://www.newark.com/tenma/21-19160/adjustable-temperature-50w-soldering/dp/96Y0391

    https://www.adafruit.com/?q=soldering%20iron

     

    I used one of the Adafruit irons for a while and liked it.

     

    Frank

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  • fmilburn
    0 fmilburn over 6 years ago

    Hi Ken,

     

    I doubt anyone here will recommend a cheap soldering irons without temperature control for electronics.  Better to spend  a bit more if you can.  Look for on that has adjustable temperature and changeable tips.   It is possible to get a useable iron in the $20 to $30 range that is suitable for electronics. 

     

    https://www.newark.com/tenma/21-19160/adjustable-temperature-50w-soldering/dp/96Y0391

    https://www.adafruit.com/?q=soldering%20iron

     

    I used one of the Adafruit irons for a while and liked it.

     

    Frank

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  • dougw
    0 dougw over 6 years ago in reply to fmilburn

    Frank is right, temperature control is important as soon as you can afford it. However I used a cheap uncontrolled iron for several decades before I could afford a temperature controlled iron. To use a cheap iron, you need to figure out how to prevent overheating delicate components while still supplying enough heat to make a good solder joint. I ended up with 2 uncontrolled irons before getting a controlled one. (one iron had double the power rating of the other so it could heat up larger metal pieces in a shorter time)

    The iron you linked looks as good as the one I had - actually I still have it.

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  • rsjsouza
    0 rsjsouza over 6 years ago in reply to dougw

    Similar experience here. I was able to afford a Hakko FX888 years ago but, for 30 years before that, I always did my soldering with irons up to 30W for electronics and 65W or more for chassis/large wires.

     

    It takes some practice to properly get the feel of the iron, but once you get it, it works very well. See if you can get one with a narrow flat screwdriver tip instead of conical - at least in my opinion, the narrow flat screwdriver shape tends to have a better heat transfer.

     

    Also, get a fine lead solder (0.5mm diameter), which helps a lot with smaller components.

     

    (edit) the ones below seem suitable for your needs

    https://www.newark.com/tenma/21-8120/soldering-iron-30w/dp/78K5660

    https://www.newark.com/tenma/21-8125/soldering-iron-25w/dp/95K9074

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