Good mid-range soldering iron?

[andypinboy]

Guys, I've been using a mate's iron but it's gone back now. What is a decent iron for a hobbyist - I don't need anything flash but also don't want an el-cheapo that lasts only 3 months. Will only be used occasionally for soldering wiring to switches, lamps etc (I don't touch boards - leave them to people who know what they are doing). Any recommendations? Looked online & Weller WP25 seems to have some happy people (but also some unhappy)...????

[benpin]

Rhino Tools

Good Prices and Excellent service
Brought soldering iron, think I pay $110.00, quite a while back
Still going strong, get plenty of use
Be a excellent tool so far, Very happy with it
Spares are available

Give them a go

[benpin]

Rhino Tools

Good Prices and Excellent service
Brought soldering iron, think I pay $110.00, quite a while back
Still going strong, get plenty of use
Be a excellent tool so far, Very happy with it
Spares are available

Give them a go

[Homepin]

25W iron from Jaycar with a reasonably fine tip will do all of your general PF work and also help re-pinning when you need to solder.

A suitable iron $14
http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Soldering/Irons---Electric/25-Watt-240V-Soldering-Iron/p/TS1465

Full gear, meter and all $35
http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Soldering/Irons---Electric/25W-Soldering-Iron-Starter-Kit-with-DMM/p/TS1652

[andtan]

Rhino Tools

Good Prices and Excellent service
Brought soldering iron, think I pay $110.00, quite a while back
Still going strong, get plenty of use
Be a excellent tool so far, Very happy with it
Spares are available

Give them a go

+1 for the Rhino soldering iron. Had mine for about two years - never had a problem with it.

Cheers,

Andy

[pinoffski]

A while back had a pin tech sort out some issues and he used
a 25W soldering iron

25W iron from Jaycar will do the job

I didn't want a soldering iron with a lead
so i thought i would give the battery operated Weller a go
and it was a piece of crap

[Retropin]

25W is a bit low.. I prefer a 40W and yes, the jaycar ones hold up well. Most irritating thing about modern soldering irons are the iron tip... bloody things tarnish super quick and wont tin properly. If you know someone with a lathe then get them to turn you up some copper tips.. much much better!

[andypinboy]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Rhino seems to have only soldering stations now (?) so the Jaycar will be fine - my only question is I've been using a chisel-tip & the Jaycar seems to be conical - are these fine/ same to use?

[Retropin]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Rhino seems to have only soldering stations now (?) so the Jaycar will be fine - my only question is I've been using a chisel-tip & the Jaycar seems to be conical - are these fine/ same to use?

Yeh - all good. Conical is better for getting to the pins of an IC, unless you can find a very small chisel ( old computer.. talking 70's here.. engineers always used a very small chisel). Its all about the heat delivered while not wanting to leech over to the next IC leg.. as always, compromises must be made!