What is the best soldering iron out there?

[Afrotechmods]

Hello EEVBloggers,

My trusty WES51 is going on 10 years now and I'd like to treat myself to a new soldering station. I am looking for suggestions on the absolute top of the line, money-is-no-object models.

I'm looking for something that will play well with TQFPs, 0402s, as well as bigger joints like soldering 12 gauge wire. As such, I am interested in hearing recommendations on what specific tips to get too. I already have a hot air station and don't need any fancy nitrogen functionality.

I've read a lot of good things about Metcal and JBC stations but it's hard to decide what is going to offer the best user experience from just looking at spec sheets.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Metcal (MX5000) or JBC. Nothing else comes close. (OK, Thermaltronics, but that's just a Metcal clone)
And lots of tips, including some wide blades.
I've never used a JBC, but have had Metcals for 15yrs & hate using anything else.
For fine work the very short tip to (cold) handle distance is a big plus, as is the ability to switch to a big tip & be soldering to groundplanes in a few seconds.

The Metcal desoldering tool is also awesome, but needs a compressed air supply.

[digsys]

This has been discussed many times over the last couple months, so there's plenty to read.
I've got 1 Metcal and several JBCs. Only 1 engineer we had preferred the Metcal (so we killed him :-)). The JBC have a HUGE
range of affordable tips and holders, from micro-tweezers to tips for soldering gutters :-) .. all with quick change.
Agree that Metcal and JBC are the only options.

[robrenz]

Definitely JBC  adjustable temp and equal or better thermal response than Metcal. Even Dave has given in to its power

[Smokey]

+1 to metcal. 
You can get the MX500 on ebay for pretty cheap.  Get two hand pieces for two tips to really take advantage of it.  Don't take our word for it, go to any assembly house and you will see tables lined with these things.

[cyr]

I would say JBC for home/lab use, perhaps metcal for production use.
JBC is very flexible, metcal is simple and reliable.
Both have amazing performance compared to anything else I've ever tried.

[nanofrog]

Another vote for JBC. 

Far more options and versatility for home/lab use IMHO.

I realize you also asked about tips, but without specifics, it's hard to make specific recommendations other than the usual "get a few different sized chisels" to start with. One alteration/addition I would suggest, is a spoon for drag soldering (easier to use than a chisel in my experience as it holds a ball of solder under the tip) for working with TQFP sorts of packages.

[djsb]

I've got a Pace MBT350 station at home

http://www.paceworldwide.com/products/conductive-rework-systems/mbt-350/mbt-350-with-td100-mt100-and-sx100

and use a Metcal MX5000 at work.

Both very good equipment.

David.

[mikgntl-2013]

JBC without any doubts, for the following reasons:
- Reliability. I've used one of their stations for years and never had a problem.
- Exceptional thermal stability
- Sleep function and 3 seconds thermal recovery
- Huge range of tips and accessories.

[KJDS]

Metcal, JBC, Ersa, Pace, all capable tools. I've got both JBC and metcal and use the Metcal mostly because tips are a lot cheaper, so i can afford to have a lot of different tips. Not sure i'd want to shell out on 20 tips for JBC. I have labs in two rooms, two irons in each lab so the requirements soon add up,

[vzoole]

I collect solder irons and stations so I can compare many type.

Winner is... JBC T245 handpiece (this is the most common) with any station.
2nd is draw: Metcal or Hakko FM series
3rd: Weller WMRP

(it's my opinion)

[nctnico]

Metcal (MX5000) or JBC. Nothing else comes close. (OK, Thermaltronics, but that's just a Metcal clone)
And lots of tips, including some wide blades.
I've never used a JBC, but have had Metcals for 15yrs & hate using anything else.

How can your recommend JBC if you never used it?  I have used a JBC soldering iron a lot and I didn't like it. The tips wear out very quickly which make soldering hard.

[EEVblog]

I am very impressed by my JBC CD-2BB
http://www.jbctools.com/cd-b-soldering-station-product-505.html

For lab use I would not touch anything that is not temperature controlled. Paying top dollar and getting an iron that is not temp adjustable is just silly IMO.
The Metcals are better suited as production irons.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Metcal (MX5000) or JBC. Nothing else comes close. (OK, Thermaltronics, but that's just a Metcal clone)
And lots of tips, including some wide blades.
I've never used a JBC, but have had Metcals for 15yrs & hate using anything else.

How can your recommend JBC if you never used it?  I have used a JBC soldering iron a lot and I didn't like it. The tips wear out very quickly which make soldering hard.

Beceause I've seen enough other opinions (not just here) that it is in the same class as Metcal.

[EEVblog]

I'm looking for something that will play well with TQFPs, 0402s, as well as bigger joints like soldering 12 gauge wire. As such, I am interested in hearing recommendations on what specific tips to get too.

You don't need many. Two sizes of basic chisel tips (small and wide) will do most jobs.
A very fine conical for needle point hack work can also be handy.

[digsys]

Just to answer 2 comments made -
We have SEVERAL JBCs used in production - from heavy transformers to SMC.  I replaced all sorts of other brands, that were
going through tips and heaters by the boxfull. We get incredible LONG life from ALL the tips. Our 1-4 weekly repair / replace / clean
labour / cost has been reduced dramatically. And MOST tips are NOT the long life type ! In MY experience, and I HAVE ACTUALLY used
both, MUCH longer than the Metcals as well. So I 100% recommend them for production !

[Fsck]

JBCs for your unlimited budget.
I do prefer the JBCs to my metcal, but just can't justify the 2-3x the price. I haven't used ersas or paces though, so can't comment there.
I'll stick to my previously owned metcal though, performance/price on them can't be touched.

[EEVblog]

JBCs for your unlimited budget.
I do prefer the JBCs to my metcal, but just can't justify the 2-3x the price.

The JBC CD-2BB iron I have is about AU$450, and has enough thermal capacity to melt an engine block. I can't imagine any regular human needing any more capacity for general electronics work.
Metcals are mostly more expensive than JBC! (at least here in oz, and I think the US too)
The cheapest Metcal here is about the same price
http://www.mektronics.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=4296&category_id=212&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=57

Absolutely no contest there. JBC is the clear winner.

I haven't used ersas or paces though, so can't comment there.

I've used both, and they are quality brands. Pace is very old skool
I do like the tiny Ersa irons, great handling for fine SMD stuff.

[KJDS]

JBCs for your unlimited budget.
I do prefer the JBCs to my metcal, but just can't justify the 2-3x the price.

The JBC CD-2BB iron I have is about AU$450, and has enough thermal capacity to melt an engine block. I can't imagine any regular human needing any more capacity for general electronics work.
Metcals are mostly more expensive than JBC! (at least here in oz, and I think the US too)
The cheapest Metcal here is about the same price
http://www.mektronics.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=4296&category_id=212&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=57

Absolutely no contest there. JBC is the clear winner.

I haven't used ersas or paces though, so can't comment there.

I've used both, and they are quality brands. Pace is very old skool
I do like the tiny Ersa irons, great handling for fine SMD stuff.

In the UK, second hand you'll pay more for a JBC than a Metcal and the tips are twice the price.

[Fsck]

I got my used metcal for 150$, tips are 7$ each. (including shipping)
ebay has some used jbc's for 300$ (first ones I've ever seen on there), and tips are like 20$ a pop.

[KD0CAC John]

One of these days if I have the extra funds , I'ld like to play with a JBC .
But I have Weller wand and an older big-gun like 2-3 hundred watt , as a spare or loaner now .
My 1st choice is my Metcal , I have an older unit just before the MX , 500 , smart heat , with the desoldering gun - using shop air makes for almost never breaking down .
I bought the power station , holder , wand and tips then later bought the gun , holder , 2 position holder holder with switch .
I have about $200 into all .
If I could find a JBC used , I may consider .
Also have hacko or Hakko copy hot air station , going to put together a toaster oven & homebrew controller some time .

[ecat]

I picked up my old school JBC AD2700 for £70 on ebay, there was a spate of them around this time last year. It came with a used tip which looked quite a mess but a careful wipe and it was good as new.

On ebay UK JBC tips start around £9 UK shipped - the seller may be splitting multi-packs. There are occasional deals from Eastern Europe at around £7 last time I looked.
 

[Kibi]

Another vote for JBC.
Reasonably priced tips can be found on eBay from time to time.
Used stations also come up on eBay for sensible money. The new stations have fancy displays and stuff, but they are only there for production facilities who want to lock temperatures and other settings. A used AD2700 with a 2245 hand piece would perform just as well.

[Afrotechmods]

JBC CD-1BC it is! Thank you everyone who responded, you guys kick so much ass I have no words 

[Fsck]

If you have a free budget, why not grab the DD unit and grab the desoldering attachment as well (with it's own pump, not the one requiring shop air)?