Solder station selection

I'd keep it very simple for a kid. It's not the gear that counts, but the pleasure of soldering.

Hi Jan,

No he's not a little-un he's 32! and is a software/web designer.

However he is now into home electronics and had been using my cast-off Weller TCP which isn't ideal for modern components.

So I want to get him a 'proper' soldering iron for Christmas...LOL!

Thanks

Dave

At work I use a Metcal and a Hakko FX-951 and I prefer the Hakko - it is a great general purpose station but IMHO a bit expensive for hobby projects. 

In the past I have used the Weller WES51 which is quite comparable to my current Hakko  FX-888FX-888 to me these two stations have a great price/performance for home projects especially if tied to four or five additional tips that help with both large copper areas and narrowest pads and parts

(a stereo microscope is another great accessory to accompany the iron, which can be had for the price difference).

I have a Hakko  FX-888FX-888 at work along with a few Wellers of some sort. At home I have a Metcal  PS-900PS-900 and a Tenma combination hot air and soldering iron station. To be honest, for lots of basic repair work I don't find the choice of iron particularly critical as long as the tip is in decent shape and it makes a decent amount of heat. For many years I soldered with the "awful" nichrome wire direct-mains irons with no big issue aside from the tips eroding way too quickly. I shoved in a Weller tip that wasn't quite right but did the job for many many years ...

Once you develop a feel for the iron and how "hot" it seems to be - you can get into a rhythm in regards to soldering. If you watch the solder as it melts and wets the joint, it's not hard to get a good joint even with a crappy iron that fluctuates in temperature provided it produces enough heat. It's a matter of patience though ... although some parts aren't as heat tolerant or "patient" as others.

I'm not advocating anyone get the awful direct-mains iron for delicate electronics, but I'd have to say the difference between a basic soldering station and a high end professional one isn't that meaningful for most hobbyists.

- Gough

I have a Hakko  FX-888FX-888 at work along with a few Wellers of some sort. At home I have a Metcal  PS-900PS-900 and a Tenma combination hot air and soldering iron station. To be honest, for lots of basic repair work I don't find the choice of iron particularly critical as long as the tip is in decent shape and it makes a decent amount of heat. For many years I soldered with the "awful" nichrome wire direct-mains irons with no big issue aside from the tips eroding way too quickly. I shoved in a Weller tip that wasn't quite right but did the job for many many years ...

Once you develop a feel for the iron and how "hot" it seems to be - you can get into a rhythm in regards to soldering. If you watch the solder as it melts and wets the joint, it's not hard to get a good joint even with a crappy iron that fluctuates in temperature provided it produces enough heat. It's a matter of patience though ... although some parts aren't as heat tolerant or "patient" as others.

I'm not advocating anyone get the awful direct-mains iron for delicate electronics, but I'd have to say the difference between a basic soldering station and a high end professional one isn't that meaningful for most hobbyists.

- Gough