time for a soldering station

[guitarmonky55]

ok so ive been using one of those coldheat irons and the stupid thing farted out on me when i was modding my crybaby tonight.  its dead, and i dont want to mess with it anymore, so im going to try to get a refund(if i can find the receipt! stupid radio shack return policy is so strict).  im going for a real iron this time, im looking for a station.   after doing some searching in the forums i came upon this:

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

and hear its good.....so what are anyones thoughts who have used it?

also, i found this on the same site:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7508

its not one of the xytronic ones, but how would that compare quality wise to the first one i listed?

im also gonna pickup some 63/37 solder...i just looked and realized ive been using lead free :oops: no wonder soldering is such a chore

so for now im stuck with my 5 dollar sears iron that doesnt have any good tips left...all that is on it is a stub that was a tib before it was eaten away from ALOT of use.

[Peter Snowberg]

I've never used either of those.... but from the looks of them you sure can't go wrong.

I really like the digital readout, but that's the sort of thing I tend to go for. More information.... more information!

There's nothing like soldering with active temperature control.

[guitarmonky55]

yeah the digital one is really really looking nice to me, its just ive read alot of good things about the xytronic and havent heard anything about this one.  its going to at least be a billion times better than anything im currently using now though right?

[Peter Snowberg]

..its going to at least be a billion times better than anything im currently using now though right?

Yep.

[lethargytartare]

They look nice -- but I've been happy with the simple radio shack one that is basically an on-off switch, sponge and iron holder...wow, that was $22...sheesh...don't recall paying that much, but hey...whatever...anyway, I only ever use it at 40W.

As for tips, I've found that I really extend the life of them if I make sure that I don't let the iron stay on and unused long enough to completely burn off all the solder/tinner.  If I haven't used it in a while, I wipe it on the sponge and jab it in the tinner, and put it back in the holder (and of course do all that after each round of usage) -- keeps my tips working great for a much longer time.

And I've noticed that 63/37 solder jumps traces much easier that 60/40, so now I only use 63/37 for tinning parts (leads, lugs) and 60/40 for soldering components on boards and switches.  And the 60/40 I use is lead free, and doesn't give me any problems.  The only thing that makes soldering more difficult for me is when I let the tip get very dirty or very burned out.  When the tip is clean (especially new), and I get good contact with the trace and component, the 60/40 lead-free melts instantly and flows great.

Good luck!

ltt

[hairyandy]

I've been using the Xytronic 136ESD and I love it.  It's worked like a champ now for the last 6 months and the tip is still good as new.  I would definitely spring for one that has ESD to keep from static build-up frying any parts.

I've also used the Hakko 936/937 stations extensively at work and they're great.  In fact I was going to buy one of those but I needed a station for a project and the Xytronic was sold locally so I could get it faster and cheaper.

A good soldering station makes life soooooo much easier as does good Kester solder...

[Fret Wire]

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

and hear its good.....so what are anyones thoughts who have used it?

I've been using one for about a year and a half, and couldn't be happier. No problems at all.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

And the 60/40 I use is lead free, ltt

60/40 lead free??? wouldn't that be 60/0

[guitarmonky55]

im still debating between the digital and the xytronic.   any more thoughts on the digital?  im getting really into electronics now and usually solder for a while about everyday so i definitely want something nice.  and i noticed they send a free multimeter if you order more than 50 bucks and use the promo code    seeing as i dont have one and have been borrowing a friends when i need it, thats a huge plus.

should i order one of those little abrasive tip cleaner deals and use that as opposed to a sponge?

[Johnny G]

I have the Xytronic 137ESD (next step up from andys i think) and its great

nice and easy to use and well built

EDIT:

guitarmonkey, on the subject of the little scouring pad type tip cleaners. YES DEFINATELLY get one. they're so much better than sponges. i find it easier to clean the iron with one and from what ive heard they also mean the tips wont be destroyed so quicklly

[bwanasonic]

I've been using the Xytronic 136ESD and I love it.  It's worked like a champ now for the last 6 months and the tip is still good as new.  I would definitely spring for one that has ESD to keep from static build-up frying any parts.

I second this one. Using cheap Radio Shack irons is like hitting yourself over the head with a hammer - it feels a lot better when you stop!

Here's the circuitspecialists link to the 136ESD:

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

Kerry M

[Fret Wire]

should i order one of those little abrasive tip cleaner deals and use that as opposed to a sponge?

The $39 dollar model comes with the scouring pad and holder. While you're enhancing your soldering experience, get a de-solder pump and desoldering braid. They will help alot.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2826

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/6383

[guitarmonky55]

well got some good news.....shocking too... i went back to radio shack and was able to get a full refund for the iron, without the receipt and past 30 days from the purchase.  strange huh?  i talked to the manager of the store for a while and explained my problem and seeing as she obviously knew her stuff too she was quite interested and expressed an interest in letting radio shack's texas buyers become aware of the problem.  so shes sending a report to them about this.  nice to see people who actually care about their customers instead of the money hungry pushers that ive seen in the past at radio shack.

so im gonna order an iron from circuit spec, my guess is the $59 xytronic but im still deciding.

[STOMPmole]

I've got the "Digital Display Soldering Station (CSI-STATION2)" and it's great!!!  It's also surprisingly durable (I dropped it down the stairs and cracked the case but it survived and still works flawlessly).

Be sure to get an extra tip and some solder to push your order over $50 so you can get the free multimeter from Circuit Specialists.

Oh...and listen to me this time...if you would have read my previous posts you would have been warned about how crappy the coldheat irons (and tips) are!!!!!  

[D Wagner]

im going for a real iron this time, im looking for a station.   after doing some searching in the forums i came upon this:

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

and hear its good.....so what are anyones thoughts who have used it??

I will put in a good word for this one, too.  It is quality throughout, and I will probably buy another.  For $40, you can't go wrong with this one.

Derek