Author Topic: What's a good soldering iron for less than $40? (Read 4740 times)

Darkzero · « **on:** December 01, 2008, 08:38:06 AM »

Hii, this is my first post :]

I kinda just lurk here, i've never needed to post till now.

I'm looking for a soldering iron that will work well with very small pins and wires. The previous iron i bought hardly got hot enough to melt the solder, it was a complete waste of money.

I'm having issues deciding, there's such a wide variety of irons and voltages/heat/ect. I don't have any experience in this field either, so i figured it'd be best to ask at a site that has a wide userbase of console modders.

Thanks for any help :]

bustinthejustin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2008, 01:35:24 PM »

For most console modding needs, a 15w will work fine. You can get one from Radioshack for about 10-15 bucks. If not, you can buy one from the acidmods shop here: www.acidmods.com/shopusa for 10 bucks plus about 5 bucks shipping.

DarkShot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2008, 01:39:49 PM »

I'd suggest on top of that to get a dual watt soldering iron (I got a 15/30) and I got mine for 15ish from the source.

Reason I say dual watt is because depending on the type of solder (solder containing silver for example) the 15 watt iron may not work all too well.

Alien_X · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2008, 09:18:21 AM »

You can get something alot better than a radioshack for 40.

Radioshack irons aren't too good.

bustinthejustin · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:04:34 PM »

Hey Alien, what's a good brand you recommend for a better soldering iron? Probably won't buy one now, but later I probably will upgrade.

Alien_X · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:05:25 PM »

Hmmm

Well different price ranges, but any of these

Hakko/aoyue/jbc/pace/metcal/weller

probably a few more

bustinthejustin · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:07:17 PM »

Sweet, thanks. Know anywhere where I could buy them?

Alien_X · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:09:53 PM »

ebay, surplus MOD, anywhere that sells electronics equipment.

PhenomenalDesigns · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2008, 10:43:18 AM »

Quote from: Alien_X on December 02, 2008, 01:05:25 PM

Hmmm

Well different price ranges, but any of these

Hakko/aoyue/jbc/pace/metcal/weller

probably a few more

Dont forget antex, they are great

I have a huge industrial 150w Variable temp soldering station with desoldering gun

200 to 500 degrees celcius

and desoldering gun is like 300 to 600

Alien_X · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2008, 10:52:55 AM »

Cool, What brand - antex?

Antex are pretty good too, but in a different league entirely to metcal, jbc and pace

l0rdnic0 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2008, 07:42:29 PM »

Not to rain on anyone's party but I use a Radio Shack 15watt for most of my stuff and its two years old, I swap tips once every 3 months. I have plenty of other irons all with different wattage and uses but most of the time I use old trusty..

Weller is another good iron you can get them anywhere.

You don't need a 1500.00 Solder Station to be pro...

Slim Hacker · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2008, 07:44:17 PM »

im gonna get a cordless from micro-mark they sell a ton of micro tools just google them

Jumbo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2008, 08:06:36 PM »

Quote from: psp slim hacker on December 05, 2008, 07:44:17 PM

im gonna get a cordless from micro-mark they sell a ton of micro tools just google them

I don't recommend it...

GhoSt · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2008, 08:32:18 PM »

I have said this countless times before but I recomend weller, I have a 50w station that is ancient yet it still works like new and new tips are easy to get your hands on. Get a well known brand because then you can find new tips without hassle. I wouldn't trust any battery powered or gas powered iron.

Jumbo · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2008, 08:35:36 PM »

Quote from: GhoSt_Death on December 05, 2008, 08:32:18 PM

I have said this countless times before but I recomend weller, I have a 50w station that is ancient yet it still works like new and new tips are easy to get your hands on. Get a well known brand because then you can find new tips without hassle. I wouldn't trust any battery powered or gas powered iron.

Yeah im using the same 10$ iron since i started soldering.

And, Cordless Irons= SUCK.

Timmy · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2008, 10:35:49 PM »

i used to use a variable temp soldering iron but honestly the best one ive ever used is the one neubit sent me, the kind he used to sell in modding kits

i added a switch to it so i can leave it plugged in

Alien_X · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2008, 12:14:43 AM »

Quote from: l0rdnic0 on December 05, 2008, 07:42:29 PM

Not to rain on anyone's party but I use a Radio Shack 15watt for most of my stuff and its two years old, I swap tips once every 3 months. I have plenty of other irons all with different wattage and uses but most of the time I use old trusty..

Weller is another good iron you can get them anywhere.

You don't need a 1500.00 Solder Station to be pro...

Who said you did?

It is all about efficiency, and quality.

Have fun desoldering QFPs & BGAs.

l0rdnic0 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2008, 10:16:03 AM »

Quote from: Alien_X on December 06, 2008, 12:14:43 AM

Have fun desoldering QFPs & BGAs.

So I said pro right.

Well I bet you that 97% + of the people here will never ever need to desolder QFPs & BGAs. For thouse of you that don't know What a QFPs are, their IC's that have many pins on all four sides, sometimes 300 pins in total. The only way safe way to remove them is to use a Specialized heat gun (found on high end solder stations) BGA's are IC's where the pins are under the IC.

ProperBritish · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2008, 10:43:58 AM »

i think he knows full well that about 97% of members dont know what QFPs and BGAs are.

It makes him look smarter than everyone else, that's the only reason he said it.

Alien_X · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2008, 11:11:40 AM »

Quote from: ProperBritish on December 06, 2008, 10:43:58 AM

i think he knows full well that about 97% of members dont know what QFPs and BGAs are.

It makes him look smarter than everyone else, that's the only reason he said it.

Yeah, I mean, not for the reason that I de/solder these IC packages on a regular basis, and as such a hot air soldering iron is a must.

Anyway, let's disregard your comment, before alien says some things that aren't very nice to say to a kiddy.

Nico:

Radio shack irons are all very well and good for moderate use, and they are a good starter iron ( I started off with a cheap equivalent all those years ago) , but for continuous usage the heating element is inefficient, and the lack of different tip styles for these "starter" irons is the biggest problem - I wouldn't even attempt to drag solder a QFP ( a translation for properbritish - Electrical circuit chip) with one of these irons.

Another thing, you need to adjust the temperature of an iron for the type of solder, and type of componant/connection which you are going to be soldering, this is the same when you are desoldering, doing this gives you optimal joints, and good heat transfer - Even without a solder heat bridge.

Would be nice to hear your input though.

ProperBritish · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2008, 12:14:03 PM »

i wasn't trying to cause offence, don't patronise me ¬_¬

noone interested in console modding as a hobby needs to know about using QFPs and BGAs, just basic ICs, such as the LM386 for the sound mod. cos to a lot of our members modding is a hobby.

our R&Ds looks at more advanced chips, but even so i dont think any mod would require chips of that calibre.

for a modder a cheapo radioshack 15W would fit the bill nicely.

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Author Topic: What's a good soldering iron for less than $40? (Read 4740 times)