My soldering iron bit the dust recently, does anyone have a suggestion for a good soldering iron for under 20-30 USD?
Be tempted to spend enough to get a good quality temperature controlled iron with adjustable temperature setting,
anything less is probably false economy. Well worth making sure replacement bits will still be obtainable in many years
time (which means a well-known brand).
Maybe a used WES51? If you could find someone willing to part with it...
I recommend Hakko FX-888.
Buy once, keep a lifetime.
I still have a Weller station that I bought in 1978.
I have an Xtronics 4040 soldering iron/hot air station
www.xtronicusa.com/home/?ecwid_product_id=9238594
Got it on e-bay for ~$109, works very well for thru hole & SMD rework.
MarkT:
Be tempted to spend enough to get a good quality temperature controlled iron with adjustable temperature setting,
anything less is probably false economy. Well worth making sure replacement bits will still be obtainable in many years
time (which means a well-known brand).
Agreed, although I shouldn't spend more than I have.
SirNickity:
Maybe a used WES51? If you could find someone willing to part with it...
I assume you mean this? http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU
A bit pricier than I'd be willing to pay, but it looks like it would be a good investment.
pwillard:
I recommend Hakko FX-888.Buy once, keep a lifetime.
I still have a Weller station that I bought in 1978.
This guy? http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888-FX-888-Soldering-Station/dp/B004M3U0VU
Looks very nice... pretty expensive though.
CrossRoads:
I have an Xtronics 4040 soldering iron/hot air station
www.xtronicusa.com/home/?ecwid_product_id=9238594Got it on e-bay for ~$109, works very well for thru hole & SMD rework.
I think that is out of my price range.
Overall, I guess I was too low in my original price range. Thanks for the responses, I will have to reevaluate.
I use Hakko at work, especially the 936 solder stations. A few years ago I was told of Chinese copies made by Bakko ( no kidding ) and I found someone on Ebay selling another equivalent model. In AUS $'s it cost me $40 and perfectly fits the Hakko tips. I also calibrated the station at work and the temp readings are spot on. This is a fast, very responsive solder station.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-TRONIC-4040-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-/180672745995?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a10ef520b
$109, works great.
I bought some part specific size nozzles to help with arduino parts too.
http://www.mpja.com/nozzle enter nozzle
30 second of hot air and parts come right off ...
Made a mistake with the name, It's Bakkon not Bakko
Get an iron with a fine tip for small part soldering, and make sure you can easily get replacement tips.