What soldering iron do you use?

[icaris]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

I just checked - I was using some 25w doo doo $14.99 shit from Canadian Tire.

However.

Magically I stopped using Canadian Tires horse shit Bernzomatic Rosin Core Solder and switched to The Source's Nexxtech Rosin Core Solder for PC Work and everything was eezy breezy beautiful cover girl.

I'm still going to get a new iron though or at least a stand - I burned my thumb so badly last night my skin cooked and turned a light brown.

I use the exact same thing, shitty iron from CT and that Benzomatic solder. I thought I was just really shitty at soldering lol

[horto]

Originally Posted by Rabbit

I'm still going to get a new iron though or at least a stand - I burned my thumb so badly last night my skin cooked and turned a light brown.

it's worse when you drop molten solder onto your finger. I still have that scar from high school electronics class ...

[KTW0218]

I have found that the Hakko FX-888D is a great station. It replaced the FX-888 when it was discontinued but was upgraded to digital with a lot of new features. It has great temperature control and heats up quickly. It also has pre-set modes for the solder jobs that I do on a regular basis.

I was trying to find where I got mine but stumbled upon this one that appears to be on sale: http://www.gotopac.com/Hakko_FX_888_...ion_s/3893.htm

[j3ttamaster]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I only use it cause it was on sale one day i was on the truck , its a little big but I make it work, heats up super fast

[Ron-E]

450w!! That's a beast!

Originally Posted by j3ttamaster

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
I only use it cause it was on sale one day i was on the truck , its a little big but I make it work, heats up super fast

[joots]

Originally Posted by DustMagnet

Hakko 936

Inherited from a long-defunct company I worked for years ago.

I have a chinese version of this same unit. about $80

[Mikotech]

I use PACE ST70 with 7.5 and 8 plugs.
Iron is TD-100 and I use 10 different tips for different jobs.
For portability I use Portasol PSI-100 with all the available tips.
I have 2 of both but prefer by far the PACE.

I used in the past:
Hakko 936= good when used with the right tips.
Hakko 888= slightly better than 936 and the best bang for the bucks for hobbyist when paid around 100$
Metcal= cadillac
Weller WD1002= excellent but changing tips not fast enough and tips dont last half those of PACE and Metcal.

I use professionnaly soldering iron almost every day for more than 10 years.
Tips:
Use the right tips
Clean your tips with tip tinner to remove oxydation.
Use brass pad to clean tip instead of humid sponge
Use fluxed core solder
Use fluxes