Looking for recommendation for a good soldering iron

[Robert Hill]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice/reviews of soldering irons. The cheap soldering station I have just packed up (should get my money back due to the warranty so no issues there).

I guess i'm looking around the £30 mark (which may mean anything I get will be naff?)

My usage needs are probably about once a week to do some basic soldering on perfboards and also desoldering of old boards i've salvaged from scrap electronics. I'm also impatient so anything that gets things hot quicker is good by me.

Thanks,

 

[Arouse1973]

Hi Robert

I have always used Antex irons. I don't use the soldering station type. I just have an iron with an adjuster pot on it so I can vary the wattage. I have soldered thousands of joints over the last 15 Years I have had the iron, and never damaged anything due to over temperature.

I think this is my iron.
http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/soldering-stations/tc25/

Posh version also
http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/precision-range-soldering-irons/tcs230/

Thanks
Adam

 

[Ratch]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice/reviews of soldering irons. The cheap soldering station I have just packed up (should get my money back due to the warranty so no issues there).

I guess i'm looking around the £30 mark (which may mean anything I get will be naff?)

My usage needs are probably about once a week to do some basic soldering on perfboards and also desoldering of old boards i've salvaged from scrap electronics. I'm also impatient so anything that gets things hot quicker is good by me.

Thanks,

I have owned the 30 watt and 60 watt soldering iron from this company for over 50 years. Only replaced the tips once.

Ratch

https://www.americanbeautytools.com/

 

[chopnhack]

I have been very satisfied with my Hakko FX888D - not sure of price in your market, but it is a very capable and efficient solder station.

 

[Tha fios agaibh]

I've had an ungar iron for 30 years, still in excellent shape.
Not sure if one brand is much better than the rest. I think the most important thing is keeping the tip clean.