Soldering iron

[Krfjkm]

Anyone know of a good soldering iron that they would recommend. I don’t want a “soldering iron station” but want a good one that is dependable!

Thanks!!


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[cvairwerks]

What kind of work are you planning on doing? Irons range from 10 watts or so, all the way up to several hundred watts and then into soldering coppers.

 

[MeentSS02]

Depends on what you are trying to do...I've been using an older version of one of these for years, and actually just got done using it today:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077JDGY1J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Obviously that's a station, which you said you didn't want, but if you want good and dependable, that gets my vote.

If you are going to be soldering large gauge wire (like 12 gauge and heavier), you'll need something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDGI18/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This might be close to what you are looking for:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28TS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPSX3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Weller and Hakko are two brands I trust. I'm sure you can find cheaper if you are willing to take a chance with a knock-off of some sort.

 

[PassnThru]

Anyone know of a good soldering iron that they would recommend. I don’t want a “soldering iron station” but want a good one that is dependable!

Thanks!!

What are you going to use it for? Hate to say this since you are against soldering stations but they will give you the most flexibility. Soldering is not a one size fits all thing. The more you solder the more you learn what you didn't know about soldering.

 

[Krfjkm]

What are you going to use it for? Hate to say this since you are against soldering stations but they will give you the most flexibility. Soldering is not a one size fits all thing. The more you solder the more you learn what you didn't know about soldering.

Thanks!! I like to be able to get in different places for my soldering. Sometimes stuck under the dash of an old car— today I was soldering a wire for a new garage door opener I installed—- that’s the reason I am leaning more toward something that is portable.


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[Krfjkm]

Depends on what you are trying to do...I've been using an older version of one of these for years, and actually just got done using it today:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077JDGY1J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Obviously that's a station, which you said you didn't want, but if you want good and dependable, that gets my vote.

If you are going to be soldering large gauge wire (like 12 gauge and heavier), you'll need something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDGI18/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This might be close to what you are looking for:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28TS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPSX3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Weller and Hakko are two brands I trust. I'm sure you can find cheaper if you are willing to take a chance with a knock-off of some sort.

Thanks for the suggestions!! I’ll check them out!


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[ddawg16]

The 'advantage' of solder iron station....you have a place to put the iron.

I've used everything....a station is the only way to go. If anything, the on/off switch makes it worth it.

For bigger stuff? Get a torch....

 

[theoldwizard1]

Weller WP35

 

[kngelv]

If you want true portability then get this.

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

If you don’t mind a cord then get a Hakko or Weller.

James

 

[Krfjkm]

Thanks for all the suggestions!,

 

[rangerfredbob]

The Harbor Freight butane soldering iron isn't bad, I have one of those... once I get my shop up in running condition I plan on getting myself a soldering station, we have one of THESE at work and it is amazing...

 

[infinkc]

Metcal, hakko, weller have all 3, the metcal has been my most used

 

[Bert_]

Weller WP35

Yup. It's a good one. Will outperform and outlast the cheap ones

 

[Jlarson]

Hakko or Weller, both make nice little hand irons.

I will drag out one of my Weller WESD51 stations and put a screwdriver tip on it if I'm doing a lot of splicing like in a cab in the shop, the pencil iron on the station is a lot handier and easier to use then you'd think.

 

[eacmen]

Thanks!! I like to be able to get in different places for my soldering. Sometimes stuck under the dash of an old car— today I was soldering a wire for a new garage door opener I installed—- that’s the reason I am leaning more toward something that is portable.


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I don’t really solder wires together anymore, its hard to get a good joint with the wire still on the car. Instead i use these and have not had a failure yet:

120PCS Solder Seal Wire... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S62KYSL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

All you need is a heat gun and you’re done.

 

[MINIz guy]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WHYL2K2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've read some positive review on this TS100 portable iron. Sounds like what you want for under dash work.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I don’t really solder wires together anymore, its hard to get a good joint with the wire still on the car. Instead i use these and have not had a failure yet:

120PCS Solder Seal Wire... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S62KYSL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

All you need is a heat gun and you’re done.

Those are the way to go. Even just the crimp and heat shrink ones are good if you buy a name brand. Soldering is a good electrical connection but not a good mechanical connection, even with some heat shrink tubing. The connectors you listed are both.

I have a cheap soldering iron for benchtop work and a PowerProbe butane soldering iron for field work. Very few scenarios in automotive where I would be soldering, short of repairing a cold solder joint on a circuit board of some kind.

I used to work as a RV mechanic in a big shop and I can count on one hand the number of times anyone soldered anything. It was always good-quality crimp and heat shrink connectors.

 

[senlow]

Take a look at Iso-Tip. https://iso-tip.com/ They offer both rechargeable and butane powered soldering irons.

 

[eacmen]

Those are the way to go. Even just the crimp and heat shrink ones are good if you buy a name brand. Soldering is a good electrical connection but not a good mechanical connection, even with some heat shrink tubing. The connectors you listed are both.

I have a cheap soldering iron for benchtop work and a PowerProbe butane soldering iron for field work. Very few scenarios in automotive where I would be soldering, short of repairing a cold solder joint on a circuit board of some kind.

I used to work as a RV mechanic in a big shop and I can count on one hand the number of times anyone soldered anything. It was always good-quality crimp and heat shrink connectors.

Posi-Lock connectors are also amazing. For jobs where I may want to rewire later I always use Posi-Lock or Posi-Tap. Never had one come undone yet.

 

[Smittybert]

I have a Milwaukee m12 cordless and would never go back to a 110v. I works great has a light and heats up fast.

 

[aggie113]

If you do change your mind on a station, I'd recommend an Aoyue 937(8). I've got an older version that has served me well for many years. The digital readout and fine control on temp make it worth it for my uses.

 

[Innovate1]

I would definitely go with something with temp control but I do a lot of circuit board work. For wires and such it's not as big of deal.

 

[speed88]

I just picked up a hakko 888d. What’s and good general temp to set it to for soldering? Also what are some good tips for the iron to have on hand? Last time I have done any soldering was with a cheap $10 fixed temperature iron.

 

[fsae0607]

I just picked up a hakko 888d. What’s and good general temp to set it to for soldering? Also what are some good tips for the iron to have on hand? Last time I have done any soldering was with a cheap $10 fixed temperature iron.

What are you soldering? I like screwdriver tips. I like to set my soldering station around 550°F or so. Get rosin flux, too. It'll really help your solder to flow to where you want it to go.

 

[rburke65]

I thought the OP said he didn’t want a soldering station...

 

[speed88]

What are you soldering? I like screwdriver tips. I like to set my soldering station around 550°F or so. Get rosin flux, too. It'll really help your solder to flow to where you want it to go.

Thanks man!

I ended up ordering a few different types of solder and a few tips to try out. I also pick up a cheap little soldering diy kit to practice on and hopefully improve my skills a bit.

These are the tips I ordered.

T18-D32 Chisel Tip

T18-S3 Chisel Tip

T18-D24 Chisel Tip

T18-D12 Chisel Tip

T18-D08 Chisel Tip

T18-C2 Bevel Tip

 

[Krfjkm]

I got my Weller WP35 today— looks like quality iron! Thanks!

 

[cvairwerks]

I need to know what kind of work you are planning to do? Soldering irons differ depending on what work you are doing

A bit late as the OP got a Weller station almost 10 months ago.

 

[Bert_]

A bit late as the OP got a Weller station almost 10 months ago.

Just an FYI the wp35 is just an iron not a station.

Maybe we can get an update from the op and hear what he thinks of it? I've had a wp35 for 5 years or so and it's a great iron!

 

[FredWanaker]

TOTALLY depends on how and when you will use it. One thing to solder loose wires and another to solder a circuit board. I keep an old Weller gun around for quick wire jobs - but be careful soldering in cars - sometimes that will only create future problems. That would be too heavy for a newer circuit board. But just for a quick job these have two settings - you can pull the trigger all the way to get the tip hot then back off to low. That said, pick your solders well - the wrong solder for the job is worse than the wrong gun. Also, I use a soldering pencil with different tips for circuit board stuff and a magnifying hood.

Weller two temp gun:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JEGEC0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Metal-Marc]

TOTALLY depends on how and when you will use it. One thing to solder loose wires and another to solder a circuit board. I keep an old Weller gun around for quick wire jobs - but be careful soldering in cars - sometimes that will only create future problems. That would be too heavy for a newer circuit board. But just for a quick job these have two settings - you can pull the trigger all the way to get the tip hot then back off to low. That said, pick your solders well - the wrong solder for the job is worse than the wrong gun. Also, I use a soldering pencil with different tips for circuit board stuff and a magnifying hood.

Weller two temp gun:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JEGEC0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A bit late as the OP got a Weller station almost 10 months ago.

This.

 

[Krfjkm]

It has held up well and continues to make me happy!!!