good soldering iron?

[Spike00513]

What's a good soldering iron?
Was looking at the Milwaukee M12 but it has a 2.2/5 star rating with a lot of bad reviews
The cordless aspect of it looked really convenient, rather than being tethered to a cord, becoming unplugged, etc.

 

[Bert_]

What kind of work are you doing?

I really like the professional Weller irons. There are many sizes. They are 120v but I've never been bothered even a little by the cord. That Milwaukee looks very bulky.

 

[Git]

Cordless - I have a Portasol SuperPro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For finer thing I have the infamous 'Hakko FX888D-23BY' digital soldering station that has easily paid for itself. I was able to replace/solder in new charging jacks on two different laptops and got them working again

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[loganb]

What are you wanting to do with it?

I have the Milwaukee and love it...for certain things. It was great soldering wires/LED strips up on a ladder this fall(more details in my thread) but it's on or off...no adjustment to heat. Very impressed with how quickly it heats up and battery life is surprisingly good and has a nice charge indicator so it shouldn't surprise you when it's dead

For bench work I have a digital adjustable temp unit....looks like this but mine has a different name on it

Soldering Iron Station Kit, LONOVO Soldering Station w/ 392℉~896℉ Adjustable Temperature (C/F),10-Min Sleep Mode, LED Display Digital Soldering Iron Kit, Fast Heating Up (Blue)(V3BL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099WPMLS6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_E97M2NMMJP0V4KVKQ02M

I also have a couple of 120v cheap ones...never use them anymore. The adjustable temp on the bench units is awesome, if I did more I would upgrade to a nicer one but for my current projects it works well.

 

[Snapped-off]

Cordless - I have a Portasol SuperPro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For finer thing I have the infamous 'Hakko FX888D-23BY' digital soldering station that has easily paid for itself. I was able to replace/solder in new charging jacks on two different laptops and got them working again

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

I've got that Portasol, it's been great when needed. Almost bought that Hakko but I didn't like the control interface. Went with the comparable Weller station instead.

 

[Spike00513]

Cordless - I have a Portasol SuperPro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For finer thing I have the infamous 'Hakko FX888D-23BY' digital soldering station that has easily paid for itself. I was able to replace/solder in new charging jacks on two different laptops and got them working again

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow): Power Soldering Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Intent was auto repair
but it never hurts to have higher quality so maybe it's not a bad idea to just get a better plug-in unit instead and run an extension cord

 

[Bert_]

I would not buy a soldering station for auto repair. It's not going to be handy to drag around the shop. A 60-100W iron would do what you want.

For auto repair I would rather have a good quality crimper and some adhesive heat shrink.

 

[exmaxima1]

I've got that Portasol, it's been great when needed. Almost bought that Hakko but I didn't like the control interface. Went with the comparable Weller station instead.

Exactly, and the tips are cheaper and far easier to find

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P1B2535/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[The Frisco Kid]

I really REALLY like the TS100 for a corded (but still mobile) soldering iron.



Uses 12-24VDC, so I can run it on the bench using an old laptop power supply (very flexible cord) and it heats up FAST and stays exactly where I set it and I can use a battery attachment to run it off of a Milwaukee battery topper for light mobile work.

(this photo is from James S. at D-I-M, but it's close to what I am using)

Cordless, I prefer the Snap-On rebrand or Weller Portasol butane - It is an awesome piece of kit.

 

[nh_yota]

It's good to have a small iron for detailed PCB work and a large iron for wiring. For instance when I was rewiring my boat trailers I used an 80-watt Weller with a chisel tip to solder the trailer wiring connections. Wire connections will dissipate the heat quickly so you need an iron with some juice especially if you're working outdoors.

 

[4xdog]

^^^ The little TS100 is amazing. Cheap and functions better than imagined. I'm with @The Frisco Kid -- it's definitely worth considering.

 

[Git]

Intent was auto repair
but it never hurts to have higher quality so maybe it's not a bad idea to just get a better plug-in unit instead and run an extension cord

That is why I have the Weller/Portasol I don't think you can go wrong with one of those then.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've got that Portasol, it's been great when needed. Almost bought that Hakko but I didn't like the control interface. Went with the comparable Weller station instead.

This iron is re-branded and sold under many different names?

 

[theoldwizard1]

^^^ The little TS100 is amazing. Cheap and functions better than imagined. I'm with @The Frisco Kid -- it's definitely worth considering.

This has been replaced by the TS80P. This iron is not truly "portable" in that it needs a separate power supply. It CAN run off of a USB-C power bank that meets USB Power Distribution standard 2.0 (12V @ 3A)

 

[duneslider]

I have a Hakko FX-888 and love it. The Hakko 600 is also a good cheaper option. Getting the Hakko was a game changer for me, I didn't know that soldering could be so pleasurable. A good soldering iron is totally worth it and I would buy another in an instant if something happened to mine.

That TS100 looks really interesting and I might look into one for my portable bag of tricks.

If you want to go crazy look into a Metcal or Hakko RF soldering iron. Those are amazing, they solder like you can't believe, a whole other level really.

 

[Snapped-off]

This iron is re-branded and sold under many different names?

Which one? I've seen the Portasol under a different brand.

 

[Ilikeike]

I have a nice bench top soldering iron, but I have been grabbing my Milwaukee 12v a lot lately.
I haven't found any reason to give it a low rating. I do use a 6 amp battery so it can stand up when I set it down, I may preform better with the higher amp hr batteries.

 

[toolenthusiast]

1) 99% percent of soldering irons can solder better than 99% of users.
2) When you watch videos of the Chinese factories where our electronics are made, they are getting along just fine with cheap Chinese irons.

I think I have $75 total into my 3 irons and I get along just fine on automotive work and benchtop electronic work, including SMD work. That’s because I’ve purchased tip tinner, various fluxes, several diameters of 63/37 solder, and tip cleaners.

 

[Htscheg]

Ive had the Milesukee for about 5 years now and it works great for portability, I also have a Hakko unit for bench work that performs flawlessly and I have a MAC butane that I rarely use at all.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

This has been replaced by the TS80P. This iron is not truly "portable" in that it needs a separate power supply. It CAN run off of a USB-C power bank that meets USB Power Distribution standard 2.0 (12V @ 3A)

I like the newer TS80P, but I don't have a lot of time playing with it yet. Its aluminum casing, the size being a little smaller, and the USB 3.0 are all very attractive upgrades.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I like the newer TS80P, but I don't have a lot of time playing with it yet. Its aluminum casing, the size being a little smaller, and the USB 3.0 are all very attractive upgrades.

In the strange world of computer "standards" USB 3.x does not guarantee USB PD 2.0. For example a USB Type A socket (female) with a blue insert IS USB 3.x but IS NOT USB PD 2.0 !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Which one? I've seen the Portasol under a different brand.

Many ! If it looks like a Portable, it probably is !