Favorite soldering equipment?

Bonnelli · Post by **Bonnelli** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:30 pm

Who has a favorite soldering iron/gun/station that they have been using and would recommend for doing cable repairs & small projects?

I'm reading that Weller is a very reliable brand...

Thanks for any advice you have!

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:45 pm

For an iron that you won't regret, the Hakko 936 is a great option. The equivalent Wellers (WES51) aren't bad either.

Most of the stuff you find at hardware stores and Radio Shack isn't all that good...but some Radio Shacks are now stocking Weller, so it's no longer a hard rule.

I'm using a Pace MBT-201 station now. Very happy with it...but it probably far exceeds the requirements for "cable repairs & small projects."

Sean Sullivan · Post by **Sean Sullivan** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 2:12 pm

I use a Hakko 936 iron and Hakko 808 desoldering gun. That's all I could ever imagine needing.

kinger · Post by **kinger** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:22 pm

I was a bench tech for almost a decade and can strongly recommend Pace; not the cheapest, though...

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:59 pm

I'm lukewarm about the Hakko 808.

It's better than a manual sucker or braid.

But the temperature control is a little trimpot that you access through a hole in the handle. Not particularly robust, nor precise.

Temperature control is important, particularly in desoldering work. Too cold, and you have to hold the iron there longer, and the heat stresses the PCB such that you lift traces...especially if you get fristrated that it's taking so long, and pry on things. Too hot, and you risk burning things up. This becomes even more critical as lead-free solder finds its way into the marketplace.

Scodiddly · Post by **Scodiddly** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:02 pm

Weller WES51 or Hakko 936 would be a solid choice.

kickoldman · Post by **kickoldman** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:36 pm

I have been using this Hakko 936 clone for several years and am still happy with it:

http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

I moved from desoldering braid and a cheap pencil iron to the CSI 1a and a spring powered solder sucker (like this: http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6985) and was suddenly loving life. As I get into bigger tube amp projects I am considering a better iron and a desoldering station, but I think the setup I have is adequate for cables/fuzz pedals.

Brett Siler · Post by **Brett Siler** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:43 pm

I hear good reviews on this
http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-968-Digital ... ETX3R8HHNV

rushofblood · Post by **rushofblood** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:42 pm

has anyone tried this?? http://www.guitarfetish.com/Xytronic-Ni ... _1020.html

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:37 pm

My favorite soldering gear is on my tech's bench. I HATE soldering.

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:08 am

Weller 201TCP soldering station.

Got it from my mentor about 12 years ago.

I like it because I am used to it's temperature, and also because it says "Laser Room" on it...

ulriggribbons · Post by **ulriggribbons** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:14 am

For casual use, the Hakko 936 is good.

I've got two Metcal stations, and I will never go back.

winky dinglehoffer · Post by **winky dinglehoffer** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:48 am

On the desoldering front: Radio Shack has a desoldering iron that is actually a handy tool & quite cheap.
And you will find that there are times you need a solder sucker. I recommend avoiding cheapo Radio Shack stuff & go for the Soldapullt.

decocco · Post by **decocco** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:54 pm

I use a Hexacon HTC 5530 soldering station. It's been solid and it's made in the USA. Heats up fast, too.

Before I got the Hexacon I used Weller stations.

ThePitz · Post by **ThePitz** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:59 pm

I just started working at a boutique-ish guitar/bass pedal company and we use the Aoyue 936 which is apparently a clone of the Hakko 936. You can even use Hakko tips on it.

It's pretty damn fantastic. If you're looking at that Hakko - check out Aoyue for about half the price.

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Favorite soldering equipment?

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