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Great Soldering Irons for beginners and pro's
Great Soldering Irons for beginners and pro's
Started out with a Weller in the USAF, then once out bought my own. With that said I still own it, a little rough in the tooth being 34 years old now. It has been rebuilt numerous times (omg) and no one with any years of experience would make a claim like leaving it on 24/7 has no cosequences. On the professional side would only recommend Hakko, why, durability! Works as required, fast heat up, high quality tips that last and maintains temp under load.
I've done 10+years of circuit board and electronics repair. The FX-951 is the entry-level professional option, the rest are high end consumer/casual/hobbyist products. That being said, I have the FX-888D for my personal use, and would buy it again.
I already own the Hakko FX888D-23BY in this drop. I got it once, I'd do it again. I keep it set up on my desk at all times.
Thanks rootduck, Old-Beans, and treesap for your discussion. Together the 3 of you increased my knowledge and insight into one of my higher interests. Thank you.
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Jmac7.83
No problem! I'm excited to be able to help anyone who is embarking into the world of electronics. (And having the right tools can make that experience much easier.)
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I stongly endorse the weller as it was what got me through an electronics degree in college. It's a quality product and while I agree Hakko is a better soldering iron it is not better enough for me to justtify it being %150 the price of a weller. Coming from someone who is lazy and forgetful I can tell you that a weller can be left on for weeks at a time (I DO NOT RECCOMEND THIS) and it still works the same as the day I got it.
With any soldering iron the most important part (and hardest for a beginner to get right) is using the right tips and the right solder for the job. Hobbiest or Professional the weller is a great iron if you get great tips and use decent solder.
With any soldering iron the most important part (and hardest for a beginner to get right) is using the right tips and the right solder for the job. Hobbiest or Professional the weller is a great iron if you get great tips and use decent solder.
That Metcal MX-500 is pricier but it's in a class above the rest. It uses the metallurgy properties of the tip itself (the Curie point) to get up to heat in mere seconds. It's a treat to use compared to the Wellers and Hakkos I've owned.
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Old-Beans
I agree! Too bad they are so ridiculously expensive.
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I'm surprised the Hakko isn't #1 on the list. Hakko is pretty much the industry standard, and has a wider range of readily available tips and replacement parts. Weller makes decent equipment that is popular with hobbyists, but professionals who work in the industry generally use Hakkos. (And a few other, ridiculously expensive brands that don't really apply here.)
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