Soldering irons (and stations)...

[k_sw31]

Well I figure I am looking into getting all this other good stuff, I might as well get a nice soldering iron.

What are your choices? I would also like a good stand with a sponge and stuff like that. Oh yeah, I dont want something very expensive, it would be nice if I could stay under 40-50$.

EDIT: also, does any one know if this is worth 10$? https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=HAKP599

[simtechray]

Take a walk through a Radio Shack. I know its higher than you wanted but catalog #: 64-2185- $69.99 is a nice unit. They have other lower price models to choose from.

[k_sw31]

Yeah that looks nice, but I don't beleive I need the adjustable temperature feature. And that seems to drive up the price a bit.

I like the looks of the stand on this (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F009%5F007%5F003&product%5Fid=64%2D2184) one, but I don't like the iron. I would like atleast a 60 watt, with a small chisel tip. Do you think something like this would work?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPR36&P=7

Any one know if thats worth 6$?

What about suggestions on good stations? Or do you think I could use the 60 watt with that radioshack statioN?

[Grizzbob]

I'm not sure about that steel solder tip cleaner, I've seen it around but haven't tried it. Don't really feel a need to, since a wet sponge(regular kind which you can find at Radio Shack) does just fine to clean the tip, & then it's a good idea to retin the tip so it won't oxidize. As for good irons, I've always been happy with Weller irons, good quality & a decent price(& available in a number of wattages & temperatures to suit your needs). There's even a decent 40 watt Weller that you can find at Sears for about $20, that's what I keep as my backup(& I have a 50 watt modular one for full time use, so if a tip or a heating element goes, I can buy just the part I need to fix it).....:cool:

[baih]

go to www.kiesub.com
go to solder stations.
hakko 936 for $59.99
get two 3.2 chisel tips at the same time

[Ourumov]

geez I got the little cheapie one with the sponge from radio shack. Also get the "helping hand" hobby vice from them. They make sodering a snap.

Does anyone use flux for connecting wires or do you just use plain soder.

[paulct]

I've never bothered with flux with simple soldering. I don't think its worth the hassle, although it sure does make the solder flow.

When I was soldering feeders to my model railroad track, it really helped.

Paul

[Anton-C]

raido shack has the best soldering stuff for rc, i got a stand for like 5 bucks, and its got a holder for a wet sponge, a coil of reall thick metal that you rest the iron in, and its pretty heavy so it dosnt move or tip over, right now i use a really crappy iron thats like 40 watts, but im gonna get a decent 60+ watt one as soon as i get the chance;) i dont use flux for soldering wire together, but i have used it for other non rc things... oh and that tip cleaner/tinner stuff is crap, it does what a wet sponge and some solder does but it dosent work well as the sponge and solder;)

[AudiTT-Quattro]

I usually use rosin core solder with a 1% - 2% silver content and rarely use flux. When I need to solder something like wire fast, I dip the exposed wire into the flux and solder away; it makes the solder flow easier.