New Soldering Station Recomendation Weller VS JBC VS Ersa VS Others

[sn4k3]

Hello,

Currently i wan't to buy a new solder station.
I always have used JBC pencil irons and thier tips, they are very good and long lasting.
My needs are general purpose and ocasional SMD soldering (Not micro components), a 0.5mm tip would work well for this cases.

I have saw some models that cath my attention:

• JBC CD-2BE
• Weller WT 1010 (New)
• WELLER  WS 81
• Weller WSD 81i

JBC looks good with all thier features of hibernation and sleep while not using, and tip exchange.
Otherwise weller have good alternatives like WT 1010 new station 90W iron VS 50W JBC.
Weller WS81 analog is very pratical, just rotate the knob to the desired temperature and go but lack of some sleep or hibernation functions.

JBC and WT1010 are same price range  390€+/-
WSD81i and WD81 are same price range 250€ +/-

I can't test them to decide so anyone with experience with that stations can recommend or talk about them?
Pros and Cons and what station offer the best iron.

[nctnico]

Go for a soldering station from ERSA. The tips last longer and wet better than those from JBC and Weller.
I also recommend to use bigs tips from soldering SMD. I usually use a 3mm wide tip for TQFP and 0603 and larger. A small tip just doesn't have the capacity to transfer enough heat so you'll burn up the flux before the joint is ready.

[VK5RC]

I have had a faithful old Weller WD1000 for a long time and it still has the same tips, why did I buy spares?
About 5 years ago bought a JBC (DIT-2B) and was very impressed - a bit better than the Weller - but more money as well. I have the older model JBC handpiece T245 (non-A) which does get a bit warm if you are doing a lot of soldering all in one go - i.e. not returning it to the stand. I like the rapid ability to change tips - but the Weller chisel tip I like better than the JBC.
Recently I (6months ago) bought a Mectal MX5210 for my birthday and was very impressed - really good heat transfer - but don't like the cable on the handpiece - the Weller has the most pliable hanpiece cable in my opinion.
I have never really found the need to change the temperature.
Value for money - Weller
If I could have only one - prob JBC.
Heating big ground plane next to delicate part - Metal
I think they are all pretty good - I think the irons are probably better than my soldering! HiHi.

[madires]

JBC and WT1010 are same price range  390€+/-

ERSA i-CON 1

WSD81i and WD81 are same price range 250€ +/-

ERSA i-CON NANO

[digsys]

I have several JBCs, from the tiny handsets to 1/2 doz high power types. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Huge range of tips, and very long lasting.
Also have a Metcal (rarely used) and boxes of dead Wellers. Plus all types of other brands. my 2c

[MaximRecoil]

Recently I (6months ago) bought a Mectal MX5210 for my birthday and was very impressed - really good heat transfer - but don't like the cable on the handpiece - the Weller has the most pliable hanpiece cable in my opinion.

That's strange. I have an older Metcal (STSS, RM3E handpiece), and the cable is nearly as flexible/pliable as a shoelace. 

I have never really found the need to change the temperature.

Me neither. I use 700-degree tips (STTC-1XX) for everything. Not only that, but I use the exact same tip for almost everything: STTC-126:



With that tip I have no problem soldering everything from small SMDs to the big through-hole joints on a CRT TV/monitor's flyback transformer.

[nanofrog]

I'd drop the Weller WT1010 from consideration, as the tip selection is lousy right now. Out of your list, I'd opt for the JBC.

That said however, I'm with others that have recommended the Ersa i-Con 1 (specifically the i-Con 1V if you don't need additional tools/handpieces for it, as it's less expensive). Tips are of excellent quality, aren't expensive, and have an excellent selection of shapes (Ersadur 102 series).

Also, the value in the EU is excellent. 

For disclosure, I've a Weller setup (WD1 main unit, + WSP80 & WMP irons). And FWIW, I don't change temps often either.

[sn4k3]

Thank you for all the suggestions and share.
Regarding ERSA I-CON 1, what the difference from 1V? (Can't find a proper comparison)

[madires]

The i-CON 1 is the older model, and the 1V supports also other tools besides the i-Tool soldering iron. And firmware updates are possible via a µSD card. AFAIK, the older I-CON 1 needs an additional interface for updates. BTW, I've got an i-CON 2 with an i-Tool and Chip-Tool.

[sn4k3]

The i-CON 1 is the older model, and the 1V supports also other tools besides the i-Tool soldering iron. And firmware updates are possible via a µSD card. AFAIK, the older I-CON 1 needs an additional interface for updates. BTW, I've got an i-CON 2 with an i-Tool and Chip-Tool.

Thank you, so 1V would be better since is newer model right?

Also there are a i-CON 1C, what is this model?

[madires]

The C model has the additional interface built in. It's used to connect to a PC or other soldering equipment. IIRC, you can also copy profiles across the i-CONs using the interface.

[sn4k3]

Ok so i will skip that C model, not needed for my uses.
I can find the I-CON 1 easly in EU, farnell for example but I-CON 1V i can't find it... At least at a good price.
Can recommend a website with i-CON 1V avaliable to Europe customers?

EDIT:

I found that i can order directly from ersa-shop

I-CON 1: 288 €
I-CON 1V: 450 €
I-CON 2V: 448€
Shipping: 20€

Well given that i think the best option would be I-CON 1 OR I-CON 2V.
1V is kind of disavantage because of price.

What do you think?

[madires]

If you only need a soldering iron, the i-CON 1 would be the best choice. In case you also wan't to buy other tools later on, the 2V makes more sense.

[nctnico]

Last time I needed some Ersa gear I bought it from here because they seem to have the most complete selection: http://www.ersa-shop.com/

[GreyWoolfe]

Recently I (6months ago) bought a Mectal MX5210 for my birthday and was very impressed - really good heat transfer - but don't like the cable on the handpiece - the Weller has the most pliable hanpiece cable in my opinion.

That's strange. I have an older Metcal (STSS, RM3E handpiece), and the cable is nearly as flexible/pliable as a shoelace. 

I have never really found the need to change the temperature.

Me neither. I use 700-degree tips (STTC-1XX) for everything. Not only that, but I use the exact same tip for almost everything: STTC-126:



With that tip I have no problem soldering everything from small SMDs to the big through-hole joints on a CRT TV/monitor's flyback transformer.

I have a Metcal MX-500 and there is no issue as far as pliability is concerned.  My nit to pick is the ridiculously long cable on the RM-3E.  I use the 600 degree tips and get all the heat I need.  I also have a Hakko FX-951 and, like Nanofrog, I almost never change temps- I pretty much keep it at 650 F.

[VK5RC]

Re the Metcal cable, apologies I used the wrong term, it is pliable but it is sort of sticky - like very fine rubber is, doesn't follow easily, difficult to explain, may be its a bit too new and may settle down with time.

[RoGeorge]

Weller is no match for a JBC.
It might be because of me, but I never had a great experience with Weller, it's just an overpriced average tool.

[Bud]

There was similar thread some time back, my input was : JBC tips oxidize fast, be careful with this choice. This problem alone drives me mad, when i have long soldering sessions i just want to throw the damn thing out. Compare to JBC my old 15 year Weller still goes strong with the same tip which is always shiny and wet. JBC tips are junk compare to it. The JBC station firmware also has its own stupid quirks.

[sn4k3]

There was similar thread some time back, my input was : JBC tips oxidize fast, be careful with this choice. This problem alone drives me mad, when i have long soldering sessions i just want to throw the damn thing out. Compare to JBC my old 15 year Weller still goes strong with the same tip which is always shiny and wet. JBC tips are junk compare to it. The JBC station firmware also has its own stupid quirks.

Well i always have used JBC, pencil line only like the SL2020 and other lower models and i only have good to say about them.
Tips i used to JBC always last very long time. Oxidize wasn't bad or a problem to me, even if i don't tin the tip, not sure why you got that problem. Maybe because i use lower Wattage irons 30W and 40W?

However i'm thinking in adquiring the following setup:



What do you think?
I prefer long tips but they cost double, for saying the truth i always have used long tips from JBC, never tried short ones, so it worth the try for the price.
I plan to use 0.2mm tip for small repairs like jumper repairs in a single small point, i think that would make the job.
0.4mm and 0.5mm for smd
1mm for bigger smd and other regular stuff
Default 1.6mm tip for general things
2mm and 2.4mm to GND medium planes and AWG10 cables and others

[cowana]

It looks like you've selected a lot of conical tips from that list. I've got quite a few tips, but the main ones I use are these:

102CDLF1.6 (1.6mm chisel tip) - I keep that on 90% of the time, for TH and SMD work. Good for almost everything.
102CDLF3.2 (3.2mm chisel tip) - More for wiring harnesses or connectors, where a bit more heat/thermal contact is needed.
102PDLF0.4 (0.4mm conical) - For tiny stuff, but I rarely use it - generally a bigger tip and flux to get rid of bridges is easier.
102BDLF2.0 (As close to a knife edge as I could find) - For cleaning up QFN packages (cover it in flux and run it down the edge)
102CDLF10.0 (huge 10mm wedge) - For basically anything huge. Soldering to a chassis, heatsinks, blocks of metal...

Also, the tips attach with a black itool fastener (not supplied with the tips). While you only *need* one, I've bought one for each tip, as it makes changing them when hot so much easier.

[madires]

Also, the tips attach with a black itool fastener (not supplied with the tips). While you only *need* one, I've bought one for each tip, as it makes changing them when hot so much easier.

I second that. You can get black (3IT1040-00) and green (3IT1045-00) ones.

[kxenos]

For me going back to ersa, weller or metcal (I have access to and can use all three of them) after using my trusty jbc for more than 9 years would be like saying I was too bored with a ferrari and decided to get a VW for a change.
If you get this station post your review, it would be interesting.

[nanofrog]

There was similar thread some time back, my input was : JBC tips oxidize fast, be careful with this choice. This problem alone drives me mad, when i have long soldering sessions i just want to throw the damn thing out. Compare to JBC my old 15 year Weller still goes strong with the same tip which is always shiny and wet. JBC tips are junk compare to it. The JBC station firmware also has its own stupid quirks.

What Weller, and where are the tips made?

I ask, as I've a Weller setup myself, and have found that tips from Bosnia have ~30% failure rate vs. those that come from the US, Germany, or Japan (my stuff uses the NT & LT series; WMP & WSP80 irons respectively). Those with WES51/WESD51 stations have reported a similar experience with their tips (ET series made in Mexico).

What do you think?

From everything I've heard, Ersa is really good stuff.  It poses an excellent, if not the best value in the EU/UK based on both what I've seen and comments from members in this region of our little blue ball. 

As per tips, I don't use a lot of conical shapes. Of what I do, it's far more commonly a bent conical which is excellent for soldering passive SMD components & pulling bridges from SMD IC's IME. I'm far more partial to chisels or hoof/bevel shapes (tinned face only), depending on the task at hand. I've others, such as spoon/gull wing for drag soldering, and bent chisels (i.e. useful for connectors, as they're more ergonomic to use vs. a regular chisel).

FWIW, Hakko's Tip Selection Page may be of interest to you, as they show what the different shapes/profiles are used for.  It can hopefully help you save some funds on tip purchases for your needs. 

[nanofrog]

Also, the tips attach with a black itool fastener (not supplied with the tips). While you only *need* one, I've bought one for each tip, as it makes changing them when hot so much easier.

I forgot to mention, I've also a knife shape, and it's quite useful (good for passive SMD + drag soldering). 

And I also use multiple tip retainers in order to speed up tip changes, though I don't have one per tip (I've too many, and I'm a tight-wad    ).

[sn4k3]

It looks like you've selected a lot of conical tips from that list. I've got quite a few tips, but the main ones I use are these:

102CDLF1.6 (1.6mm chisel tip) - I keep that on 90% of the time, for TH and SMD work. Good for almost everything.
102CDLF3.2 (3.2mm chisel tip) - More for wiring harnesses or connectors, where a bit more heat/thermal contact is needed.
102PDLF0.4 (0.4mm conical) - For tiny stuff, but I rarely use it - generally a bigger tip and flux to get rid of bridges is easier.
102BDLF2.0 (As close to a knife edge as I could find) - For cleaning up QFN packages (cover it in flux and run it down the edge)
102CDLF10.0 (huge 10mm wedge) - For basically anything huge. Soldering to a chassis, heatsinks, blocks of metal...

Also, the tips attach with a black itool fastener (not supplied with the tips). While you only *need* one, I've bought one for each tip, as it makes changing them when hot so much easier.

Thank you for your tip list and the fastner advice i will get that.
1.6mm is included by default, thats why i don't have it in my list.
Im also interested in but the bent tip 1.8mm, 0102SDLF18, i love that shape for working
Knife tips are new to me (Never tried), i have to give it a try.
10mm is overkill to me but should put some respect ^^ get them latter if i need