Soldering Station Suggestions

[jGalt]

I was working on a project and when it came time to solder it to some proto board I grabbed my brothers soldering iron that he uses for various things on his RC car... long story short many melted pins later and pulled copper traces, I finally came to the conclusion that the single temp soldering iron was just too hot for my purposes. I want to get a variable temp soldering station since I feel like it's worth the investment at this point. I've seen some advice to others in different threads that point towards Weller, specifically the WESD51 (http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WESD51-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000ARU9PO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409630970&sr=8-1&keywords=wesd51)

My question is, obviously Weller is a well known name when it comes to soldering stations. Am I paying more for the name? I don't care about the brand, I just want to get the most for my dollar. Are there other, less popular soldering stations that do more for less or the same for less or more for the same..... thank you in advance.

[zapta]

For one, you can drop the digital display and save money.

http://amzn.com/B000BRC2XU

This one is also popular

http://amzn.com/B00AWUFVY8

For lower cost look for AOYUE.  SRA (the US seller of this Chinese line) have good reputation.

http://amzn.com/B000VINMRO

[mucek]

For this price I guess ERSA Pico/Nano is better choice (or iCON1, if not out of range - this really is a top soldering station!) for the price. Weller didn't do much in the last few years and ERSA, JCB and others were becoming way better IMHO.

Regards,
Gregor

[nanofrog]

Where are you located?

Based on the link you posted, I'd guess US. But confirmation would get you more accurate information, as there are options in the US for example, that though technically available in the EU for example, cost a lot more. Enough they're not much value, and there may be better alternatives for the price.

BTW, if you go into your user profile and set your country, the flag will display under your userID for each post. Makes posting relevant links a lot easier, and you won't have to answer the "where are you located" question all of the time. Also has the potential of getting answers a bit quicker to by avoiding the question/s. 

Assuming you're in the US:
Hakko FX-888D (digital; better tips than Weller IME <thicker plating so they last longer>)
Weller WES51 (analog version of what you linked)

[jGalt]

Thanks for the info nano. I updated my profile but your guess was correct, U.S. California.

[zapta]

Thanks for the info nano. I updated my profile but your guess was correct, U.S. California.

IIRC, frys has the FX888D for a reasonable price. They also carry a variety of Hakko tips and a few less expensive Chinese soldering stations (I would stick with a brand name like Hakko or Weller).

[jGalt]

Normally sparkfun seems rather pricecy but I found this https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10707 and thought it was looking like a pretty good deal. It's 50W which seems better than the 35W AOYUE but it's also not very expensive. Anything I'm missing or is this a good deal?

[jGalt]

If anyone has any opinions on a pair of "helper hands" I need to get one of those too. I saw one for $2.99 but am I worried it'll show up and be flimsy or somehow cheap.

[VK5RC]

I would definitely get a quality soldering iron,  the thermal transfer rate is often quite different from the power,  I have an old faithful weller wd1 with wp80, not cheap but good,  Hakko make good gear and their entry machine would not dissappoint either  I am sure.

[nanofrog]

Normally sparkfun seems rather pricecy but I found this https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10707 and thought it was looking like a pretty good deal. It's 50W which seems better than the 35W AOYUE but it's also not very expensive. Anything I'm missing or is this a good deal?

Best to skip it IMHO. Here in the US, an entry level station from a name brand company is possible for a bit under $100 (Hakko FX-888D or Weller WES51). They're better built as a general rule (reliable), and the details in particular, is what can really help them stand apart. Things like the iron doesn't get too hot to hold when using it for hours on end, and a silicone insulated cable that connects the iron to the station to help resist damage from accidental burns from the tip. Then there's tip selection and tip quality (Hakko's tips are very long lasting IME).

Tack on the performance improvements that happens to come with them, and you'd be a fool not to get a quality entry level station here in the US.

FWIW, I run nearly an identical setup as VK5RC (WD1 + WSP80). Tossed on a WMP iron for SMD work, which lets me do most anything I run into.

If anyone has any opinions on a pair of "helper hands" I need to get one of those too. I saw one for $2.99 but am I worried it'll show up and be flimsy or somehow cheap.

Worthless IME (fall over if you breath on it, and cut into wire insulation), but at $3, you're not out much if you go for it. YMMV, so maybe your luck will be better than mine. Even if it isn't, the base may be useful for some DIY holder project later.

Check this thread, as there are links to DIY helping hand projects using Loc-Line (or equivalent) that really work, as well as mention of PanaVise models, which are also highly useful and do things helping hands don't (not cheap, but worth it).

[zapta]

Apropos helping hands, I have this on my to-check-out list for some time

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25167__Mr_Grippy_Soldering_Jig.html

[ronniegogs]

Apropos helping hands, I have this on my to-check-out list for some time

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25167__Mr_Grippy_Soldering_Jig.html

I have that device as well as Mr Jig which is completely metal and they both come quite handy in wiring battery leads for my RC projects.

[rx8pilot]

I purchased a Weller WES51 about 10 years ago. It has been in daily use and even traveled the world without any issues. Tips are easy to find and last a long time. I would not even consider some random made in China brand. The money saved is so tiny over the long term. Tight temp regulation, reliability, and easy to find tips is worth a few dollars.

My experience has taught me that buying the cheapest option is often the most expensive solution - even for the "occasional use" tools. Marginal tools break on Saturday nights when all the stores are closed. This gives you a couple of days to be frustrated that your project is one solder joint away from victory.

Carlos