High end solder pencil or low end temp controlled iron

[tron9000]

Got ask a difficult question a while back: he wanted to solder some wires together at home, but couldn't afford a decent soldering iron with temp control and ask if an antex mains powered soldering iron was ok for the job? I have used antex ones before, they're not that bad I find.


Got me thinking, if you were starting again out on a budget? which would you go for?

Also, which side of the sponge do you use? orange side or yellow soft side - or is it a case of there is only one side you should use?