Soldering iron recommendations

Hello all

Time I upgraded/replaced my Ebay solder station. It's going OK, but I would like something a little better quality (but I have not won the lottery!)

Any suggestions? I am looking for a soldering station with hot air gun for the bench and a separate 2230v, adjustable heat 'general use' iron as well. Probably 40W?

Just thought best to ask those who use them

I have a HAKKO FX888D; unless you have a burning desire to use hot air this iron s great.

You cannot go wrong with these.

Weller is good too.

There are inexpensive hot air combinations on Amazon but quality might not be there.


I have this model, mostly use it for heat shrink.

~ $100

That solder station with the hot air gun is the one I have now.... works fine, just wondered if there were any better ones around that didn't cost silly money.
Only thing I had to do was extend the maddeningly short soldering iron and hot air gun leads.

I may just grab another one of these maybe, and a cheapy adjustable 120w stand-alone iron from Amazon then for when I am not at the bench.

Solder? Recommendations? Rosin, lead free? Mainly for light electronics. I never seem to buy the same one twice.

Suggest you use leaded solder.

60/40 and or 63/37; Kester and MG Chemicals make good quality versions.

1mm and 0.5mm

Liquid solder flux is a must have.

Nice to have a flux pen too.

Steal wife’s fingernail polish bottle.

With a bit of care you can get some good used equipment. I purchased a complete Hakko 852 for about $75.00 to my door about 2 years ago. A week later I found a weller WESD51 for about $55.00, it still looks new. The 852 did not come with the hot air tips but that was minor as I have them for another unit. It looks brand new except for some added tags which would easily come off if I wanted. To be safe be sure you can return it if you are not happy and most important see what the cost to ship it back will be.

I usually use lead free solder.... basically because it is what I have and the projects are just hobby stuff.

Is 60/40 lead solder that much better? I know the fumes are nasty, but if there are significant benefits, then maybe I should give it a go?

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