Show us your soldering set up! (and a poll)

[SLJ]

Thought it might be interesting to have a unscientific poll to see what brand soldering iron or station everyone uses and to post photos and comments about their set up.  Doesn't matter if all you have is a Radio Shack iron or a high end Metcal station with a Mantis scope.  Let's see them all.  If you have any unique tips on putting together a set up lets hear them.

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I'm currently building a small dedicated bench that will be specifically for soldering/desoldering thru-hole and SMD projects with a inspection microscope, anti-static mat, tools, etc. to free up space on my main workbench for large projects and vintage restorations so I figure this is a good way to get ideas for my new set up.

Here's a picture of what I currently use on my main workbench for working on vintage electronics:

The old Weller station on the left which I use the most is 30+ years old and will probably outlast me.

[AmmoJammo]

Quick!

Its a 70watt iron from memory, bought it maybe 8 years ago through work.
To be honest, it performs about the same as the JBC CD-2BB (we have one at work) and slightly worse than the Hakko FX951, Although the pencil and tip aren't as thin as the JBC or Hakko, so it takes some getting used to.

[tiofilo75]

This is my first iron. So far it has worked well for me. Dont have any complaints.

[JuKu]

Aoyue, but I learned the lesson, and buying a Hakko.

[npnlamp]

My soldering iron is Solomon, but soldering station for that iron is DIY

[con-f-use]

Aoyue, but I learned the lesson, and buying a Hakko.

I've a Weller WX2 bought recently here on the forum. Been using Aoyue 2702+ before since 2008 on average about 5h a week. Never had a problem, thing still works like a charm. What was your "lesson" about?

[JuKu]

What was your "lesson" about?

Basic lesson: You get what you pay for. Although it is good value for money, I should have paid more for faster heating, more stable temperature, more power, cooler and lighter handpiece and better quality tips.

[JustinHV32]

I second that on the Aoyue, I purchased a rework station. And was so poorly designed and put together it only lasted max 10 hours use. So I wont buy another. But other chinese brands have been OK. Just need to tweak them and perform a safety check before use. Anyway here's the iron I'll be using more and more from now on. On the left is a redesigned version of the fake FX-951 on the right. The controller and hand piece are a piece of junk, but the tips have been OK. The tips aren't matched very well, perform good enough for what I do. Still better to solder with than my old 936. Planning on making my own hand piece also. I knew I was buying a fake when purchased and when the performance/quality wasn't up to scratch you have almost everything to roll your own. There's still more to do.

[Kjelt]

I had two WECP20 stations with a LR20 and a modified LR20 to desolder-iron and a WE2001 station with anti static MR pencil. This was state of the art beginning of the 1990's when I bought and build them but quite old what I found out after buying on this forum a WX2 station with 65W, WXMP pencil and tweezers  .
For example, with the old setup it took quite awhile to heat up a headerpin that was connected to the groundplane (with the correct pcb layout, forgot the term but not massive connected but with 4 small traces). It took at least 4 seconds of continuous heating and even then it would not go smooth.
Now with the new setup 2 seconds and it is totally up to temp, solder flows smooth and WOW what a great soldering experience.

[wraper]

Ersa i-con 2 with 2 i-Tools, Quick 861DS hot air and Jovy RE-7500 IR station.

[Mr Simpleton]

Have a few Weller but when started to do more SMD I got a Metcal instead of upgrading the Weller.

[GreyWoolfe]

I use a Hakko 936 with various sized chisel tips.  The solder holder was made from stuff around the garage and office.  The orange substance in the hypodermic needle is Orange Crush non acid flux.  The hypo allows precise placement.  I agree, the solder holder is butt ugly but I wasn't willing to pay $15 USD and up for a 'fancy' holder that doesn't do anything different than mine.  Ham radio operators have been called cheap.  I prefer frugal in that we try to recycle anything we can to make what we need.

Tom, NW0LF

[willb]

I have a Weller WESD-51 which I'm overall happy with but I also have a bunch of Pace stuff which is what I mainly use. I have the PS-90 iron, SX-80 solder extractor, TJ-85 hot air jet, and TT-65 thermal tweezers, all running off ST-25 and ST-125 units. I wish I had more channels but 2 is good for now. 

[PaulAm]

I had an old Ungar station, but recently upgraded to a Metcal MX500 with a handpiece and a desoldering gun.  I also have a Fonton hot air station that showed up one day.

Love the Metcal

[george graves]

performance/quality wasn't up to scratch you have almost everything to roll your own. There's still more to do.

Do you have a link to that DIY iron set up?  More info please!

[rithien]

I have a Pace ST-25 and Quick 861DS hot air

[John Coloccia]

Interesting that JBC and Metcal are running neck and neck.

[nanofrog]

My setup consists of a Weller WD1, WSP80 + WMP irons, and WDH20T + WDH10 stands.

[SLJ]

My setup consists of a Weller WD1, WSP80 + WMP irons, and WDH20T + WDH10 stands.

How do you like the WD1 and WSP80 iron?  I have been looking for something with smaller tips for SMD in the $200-$300 range.

[Shock]

[nanofrog]

My setup consists of a Weller WD1, WSP80 + WMP irons, and WDH20T + WDH10 stands.

How do you like the WD1 and WSP80 iron?  I have been looking for something with smaller tips for SMD in the $200-$300 range.

Both of nice to use, even for an extended period of time (quite comfortable). The WMP is specifically made for SMD, so that might be the better way to go, though the WSP80 will handle SMD quite well also.

That said, it's on the pricey side unless you get a smoking deal somewhere (used?). The WDH10T or WDH20T are the Stop-n-Go stands, which are an option except with the WD1002T kit. I started with the WD1001, then added the WSP80 & most recently the Stop-n-G stand. By the time I add it all up, not including tips, I'm in excess of $400 and I didn't pay retail for any of the equipment. Either stop-n-go stand with work with either iron (only difference is the part that holds the tips, and it's just threaded metal inserts that get added for the NT tips). Oddly enough, the MSRP is less for the WD20T. Go figure. 

To give you a good idea of cost (new), if you grabbed a WD1002T + WMP, you'd be looking at ~$340 + ~$119 from Allspec.com (~$460USD total; it's a really good deal on the WD1002T). Toss in a reasonable selection of tips, and you could add another ~$100.

QC isn't as consistent as it should be, particularly with tips. Not a massive problem though, as there are alternate tips for the LT series (fits WSP/WP80) from Plato (Techspray), and I've seen a seller on eBay that's importing clones from China (bought 2x to try, but just got them). NT tips (for WMP), are more expensive and Weller only.

Due to the issues, particularly cost, you might want to take a serious look at a Hakko FX-951 here in the US ($262.77USD), and it includes a stand that attaches to the station for setback temp/auto off when the iron is placed in the stand. Hakko's tips are heavily plated, and the T15 series is quite reasonable, particularly for an AIO design (~$12 - 15 for common profiles, & goes up for more specialized profiles). Seems a lot more value IMHO than the Weller (unfortunately, the FX-951 wasn't out when I bought mine).

Bit long, but I hope this helps. 

[andtfoot]

The main soldering iron I use at home is the Goot RX-711AS.

Goot is the main brand of decent soldering stuff the the local electronics store (Jaycar) carries. I've used the Goot plug-into-the-wall jobbie for years now and found it quite good so I shelled out for the station.
The station was pretty expensive, but it does the job well so far. I haven't had anything else though so I can't really compare that well.

[oliver602]

A metcal STSS and Atten 858D. I have the stations on the shelf because I don't like the cables trailing on the desk.

[Hydrawerk]

I use my Tesla ERS50. It is very long lasting, but the soldering tip is not perfect. https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/picked-up-a-damaged-jbc-bd-1ba-station-advice/?action=dlattach;attach=64036;image

[cyr]

I use a JBC DI-3000 with a T245 iron and tweezers, and also a cheap chinese hot air station that is mostly used for heatshrink.