Cost effective soldering station

CrankyDoug · 12-27-18, 02:58 PM

I've owned everything from dollar store irons to 500W 15" long monsters for soldering stainless sheet to high dollar temperature regulated soldering stations.

At present I am using a 25W Weller I bought from McMaster for $35. When the tip erodes I'll end up throwing it away like the rest because the tip costs almost as much as the iron.

The last high dollar device was an Ungar station with closed loop feedback. When it quit in two months my tech looked up the replacement parts which were about $100. After cutting the wires and chucking the iron I had a pretty good base for my cheap Weller.

I do some board level repair and a lot of CNC machine wiring. No surface mount or microscope stuff at my age.

I ran soldering training classes at Panasonic some years ago, so I know how to take care of a tip. They had $600 stations with tips that cost $40-$60. That's OK on a surface mount production line. I'm not going there for what I do.

Can anyone recommend a good general purpose iron or station that has sensibly priced tips available? I like the Weller for field repair but want something a little better for bench work. Reasonably priced tips would be nice.

pinballlooking · 12-27-18, 06:38 PM

This is my vote. Arcuate temp control, tips are not expensive.
I have done lots of board work with it. It has lasted for years. I have an analog one for quick soldering and field work.
Weller WESD51

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/we...SAAEgJFcfD_BwE

You may be looking for a higher end one.

where2 · 12-27-18, 09:32 PM

Any of these tips work for what you've got?
Solder Stations | MPJA.COM

NiHaoMike · 12-27-18, 11:11 PM

TS100 is a great choice and easily runs from batteries for portability.

CrankyDoug · 12-30-18, 11:01 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions. I was surprised how inexpensive the Weller tips were on the site Pinball brought up. I've used the Weller WESD51 and liked it so that's my choice.

I never even considered a battery powered iron. The TS100 looks ideal for small field repairs. I hate having to drag out an extension cord every time a wire breaks in a vehicle or machine.

What the hay - Christmas isn't over yet! I'll get them both, plus enough tips for the Wellers (new and old) to last until I croak.

CrankyDoug · 12-30-18, 03:17 PM

Question for Mike;
I see the TS100 on ebay under several brands - Uy Chan, Sainsmart, Ykey, Usmile (really), Novellife, etc. Are they all about the same or is there one you prefer?

jeff5may · 12-31-18, 05:42 PM

I also recommend what pinball did for an all purpose bench rig. I have a couple of the old school wtcps ones as well. They use a tc201 pencil and pt series tips. Main difference is that the one pinball cited is variable temp and the wtcps has tips with a built in thermostat. ESD station takes et tips, old school takes pt series.

I know one of my PT series stations was built in the 70's. Been dropped, submerged in water, frozen, and has never skipped a beat. The other two are newer, but still pre Y2K. I had to replace a pencil on the pt, the contacts for the thermostat fused together and tips end up red hot. I use that pencil for cutting and welding plastic now. Along with the old pt series tips that lose their tin.

pinballlooking · 01-02-19, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiHaoMike

TS100 is a great choice and easily runs from batteries for portability.

I like the idea having a battery powered field soldering iron.

What battery do you use with yours?

I ordered a TS100 off eBay $42 shipped from Hong Kong so it will take a while.
I ordered a power cable connects to a battery $6.50 shipped.

NiHaoMike · 01-07-19, 09:25 AM

I don't have a TS100 yet, but several of my friends like them. The best battery to use is a 5S or 6S pack with built in BMS, for example external battery packs for laptops and power tool batteries.

Review video from a friend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9bfW8o8BxQ

12-27-18, 02:58 PM	#1
CrankyDoug Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 100 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Cost effective soldering station I've owned everything from dollar store irons to 500W 15" long monsters for soldering stainless sheet to high dollar temperature regulated soldering stations. At present I am using a 25W Weller I bought from McMaster for $35. When the tip erodes I'll end up throwing it away like the rest because the tip costs almost as much as the iron. The last high dollar device was an Ungar station with closed loop feedback. When it quit in two months my tech looked up the replacement parts which were about $100. After cutting the wires and chucking the iron I had a pretty good base for my cheap Weller. I do some board level repair and a lot of CNC machine wiring. No surface mount or microscope stuff at my age. I ran soldering training classes at Panasonic some years ago, so I know how to take care of a tip. They had $600 stations with tips that cost $40-$60. That's OK on a surface mount production line. I'm not going there for what I do. Can anyone recommend a good general purpose iron or station that has sensibly priced tips available? I like the Weller for field repair but want something a little better for bench work. Reasonably priced tips would be nice.

12-27-18, 06:38 PM	#2
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	This is my vote. Arcuate temp control, tips are not expensive. I have done lots of board work with it. It has lasted for years. I have an analog one for quick soldering and field work. Weller WESD51 http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/we...SAAEgJFcfD_BwE You may be looking for a higher end one. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-27-18, 11:11 PM	#4
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	TS100 is a great choice and easily runs from batteries for portability. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

12-27-18, 09:32 PM	#3
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	Any of these tips work for what you've got? Solder Stations \| MPJA.COM

12-30-18, 11:01 AM	#5
CrankyDoug Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 100 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Thank you all for your suggestions. I was surprised how inexpensive the Weller tips were on the site Pinball brought up. I've used the Weller WESD51 and liked it so that's my choice. I never even considered a battery powered iron. The TS100 looks ideal for small field repairs. I hate having to drag out an extension cord every time a wire breaks in a vehicle or machine. What the hay - Christmas isn't over yet! I'll get them both, plus enough tips for the Wellers (new and old) to last until I croak.

12-30-18, 03:17 PM	#6
CrankyDoug Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 100 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Question for Mike; I see the TS100 on ebay under several brands - Uy Chan, Sainsmart, Ykey, Usmile (really), Novellife, etc. Are they all about the same or is there one you prefer?

12-31-18, 05:42 PM	#7
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	I also recommend what pinball did for an all purpose bench rig. I have a couple of the old school wtcps ones as well. They use a tc201 pencil and pt series tips. Main difference is that the one pinball cited is variable temp and the wtcps has tips with a built in thermostat. ESD station takes et tips, old school takes pt series. I know one of my PT series stations was built in the 70's. Been dropped, submerged in water, frozen, and has never skipped a beat. The other two are newer, but still pre Y2K. I had to replace a pencil on the pt, the contacts for the thermostat fused together and tips end up red hot. I use that pencil for cutting and welding plastic now. Along with the old pt series tips that lose their tin.