Good Soldering Stations

[Deep Blue]

Sorry, I know this has been discussed before, but a quick search yielded no recent results...

I want to ask for a nice soldering station for christmas.  Right now, I'm using a 25 watt Weller.  It tends to burn my PCB and destroy the copper tracing, and is generally not as good as I'd like it to be.  However, I don't know anything about different brands of soldering gear.  What would be a good setup in the $50-$130 range that would suit my needs as an amateur pedal builder?  Thanks.

[Peter Snowberg]

Try these two....

http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=16220 (from the FAQ section)

http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=19096

Get the $40 station from Circuit Specialists and some 63/37 solder and something else small to pop your order over the $50 mark and you get a free DMM too. Just be sure to mention the "secret word" in your order.

For a tip cleaner, I would recommend the unit that looks like a brass scouring pad. Your tips will last forever.

[bwanasonic]

I spent a few bucks more and got the $59 Xytronic model from circuitspecialists.com:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7760

It's a great deal.


Kerry M

[STOMPmole]

I used a Weller for a long time but bought a station when I started doing more DIY pedals on PCBs.  

I can't help you in finding a station for $50-$130, but if you're willing to spend less   I'd highly recommend the one I bought for $49 at CircuitSpecialists. ( http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7508 ).  Add a replacement tip to push your order over $50 and get the free DVM!

[Fret Wire]

http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6262

Wait a minute...I don't see the free DMM offer on the home page? That's bad, I hope it's not gone for good. I scored 2 of the good DMMs and 1 so so model. That is a good deal for someone starting out. A good soldering station, 63/37 solder, and a DMM for $50. Hope their just temporarily out.

[remmelt]

what about in europe? i would like to order a good soldering station over here, but there are only the wellers (lots of â,¬) and velleman, and they don't look sturdy at all.

anyone?

[LinuxMan]

Hello.

Try a firm called "Ersa". Just bought one of their soldering iron (Multi-pro). It
works very good. Looks sturdy too (made in Germany). They also offer some
stations in a price range of about 150$ and above. Check out their page
here: click

Cheers
LM

[LinuxMan]

Oh,

just to let you know. I've heard a lot of bad things about Wellers. They used
to be top notch quality, but since they moved the manufacturing to another
country the quality went down. A couple of firms in my country used Wellers
but had to switch because they kept failing. They switched to Ersa (that's how
I've heard about Ersas) and they never had a problem since. We'll see how
my soldering iron holds in some time from now. Btw. it has really nice tips
(in fact it uses the same type like the ones used on their soldering station).
That's also one of the reasons I went for it.

Cheers
LM

[KORGULL]

I got a Xytronic temp-controlled solder station (168-3C) a few months ago.
It works well and has a good variety of tips available for it.  
Whatever station you decide to get, check out Electronix Express //www.elexp.com Most of the stations they have in the $$ range you are looking at are about $20-$30 cheaper than any other place I checked. They have Weller and Xytronic brands. I've found the best prices on alot of stuff there.

[STOMPmole]

In case Deep Blue or anyone else is thinking of ordering from Circuitspecialists the link to the free DVM has been moved from the homepage to the "Special Offer" tab:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/190

[Fret Wire]

Thanks, I was wondering if they discontinued the free DMM. The model they give away changes from time to time. The one they are showing now works good. I have two of those.

[ragtime8922]

It says that there are no promotions at this time.

Also, what's with this 63/37 solder? Why is it better than the 60/40? Is silver solder the best?

[Peter Snowberg]

63/37 solder is eutectic, meaning that it goes right from solid to liquid without a "plastic" temperature range. There's no comparison with 60/40. It's faster and easier to work with.... and the results are much nicer too.

Once you use 63/37, you'll never go back unless you're in a pinch.