Best home soldering iron?

[Pablo]

I'm tired of soldering with lousy home jobs, but don't quite need an industrial Metcal type. I'm pretty decent at soldering considering I have been through training (including China Lake NWC) and all the years in the industry. Sad thing, I've never owned a good home soldering iron. I'll need it for my usual bike and car stuff, but mostly for my winter guitar projects (redoing my bass pot set-up)

What is a good soldering iron these days, that won't cost over $100 or so?

 

[Jason2007]

Its hard to beat a Weber. I paid about $50-60 several years ago for one and it is still going strong.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Jason2007
Its hard to beat a Weber. I paid about $50-60 several years ago for one and it is still going strong.


Weber? Weller?

 

[Hermann]

Go to Radio Shack.com . There are 25 irons listed in all price ranges.And there are ratings on many. Hope this helps.

 

[Trav]

I bought a Portasol super pro many years ago and have been 100% satisfied.It gets lots of use and the tips are still in great shape,temp is adjustable and uses very little gas.I love not being attached to a plug.
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Portasol-Super-Pro-Cordless-Soldering/dp/B000JG40EW

 

[tom slick]

Buy a blue colored Weller (WP series), the standard models are are not very expensive. They are internally temperature controlled and parts/tips are common and easy to find. That means you can get tiny tips for those small guitar electronics and the iron isn't going to get too hot but will have a quick recovery. The orange colored Weller irons are okay but are hobby grade and not temp controlled.

Deluxe newer model
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analo...5856&sr=8-1

Basic model
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Watts-Profe...856&sr=8-14

 

[Pablo]

I didn't know the stations are so inexpensive, thanks!

I also may get a mini-torch one as well.

Thanks to all for the ideas.

 

[Pablo]

What about this bad boy?

Weller WLC100 soldering station

http://www.stootsi.com/store/item.aspx?item=98056522

Seems like the Weller WES51 is better.

 

[senquack]

I recommend the Hakko line. I own this one, The Hakko 936 with a 907 iron:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2871

(amazon link)
http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Soldering-St...8264&sr=8-2

It is very high-quality, and heats up in literally a few seconds. You can order a multitude of different types of tips. This is what a lot of professionals use. The ones that do the tiny PCB rework, of course, use much more expensive infrared/hot-air rework stations.

Weller is overpriced and from the small amount of research I've done, not as good as it used to be. I am not a pro, however.

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
What about this bad boy?

Weller WLC100 soldering station

http://www.stootsi.com/store/item.aspx?item=98056522

Seems like the Weller WES51 is better.


Those are okay but not internally regulated for continuous use. Perfectly fine for occasional hobby use. It's a $15 iron with a rheostat to control temperature. AFAIK unless you are using different solders you don't really need adjustable temperature.

Hakko, OKI, and Metcal are excellent irons but you'll be buying parts from an electronics supplier instead of radio shack (or similar) if that makes any difference.

 

[cven]

IMO....For guitar pots you need 35-40 watts to solder to the back of the pots case. IIRC...most pots have a coating on the case so scuff the coating off and use some flux. Keep the wires as short as possible.

NOOOO radio shack pots!!!! But the irons they have will work fine.

Have fun wrench'n on that bass.

 

[Pablo]

I ordered the Hakko and the medium expensive stripper like the Amazon one (our Home Depot had no such animal). $100 total. Not bad thanks to you guys!!

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: cven


IMO....For guitar pots you need 35-40 watts to solder to the back of the pots case. IIRC...most pots have a coating on the case so scuff the coating off and use some flux. Keep the wires as short as possible.

NOOOO radio shack pots!!!! But the irons they have will work fine.

Have fun wrench'n on that bass.


I hate the soldering to the back of pots. I'm trying to think of a better way.

I only use CTS pots. Orange drop caps, but some of the others intrigue me: http://shop.axegrinderz.com/main.sc

Also, I'm doing this one blend:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=jazz_bass_blend

MORE wires on the tone pot!!

 

[tom slick]

FYI, Ernie Ball sells (actually supplies) the same pots they use in their guitars/basses.

 

[Pablo]

I got the Hakko 936 with a 907 iron. I could not be more pleased. What an awesome unit. I practiced soldering some pots, wires, etc. Makes a hack like me solder like a pro. That thing cranks when you need it - like now.

I'm sure the Weller is good as well, but this pup is nice.

 

[tom slick]

Hakko definitely makes nice stuff. Their heating elements are easy to change if you ever wear one out. A good solder soldering iron makes a big difference when working with the small stuff.

 

[senquack]

Don't forget the racing decals!

 

[OVERKILL]

I use Weller. Fantastic irons.