EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Tools
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-27-18, 01:58 PM   #1
CrankyDoug
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 100
Thanks: 6
Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts
Default 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.

CrankyDoug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-18, 05:38 PM   #2
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

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.
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-18, 08:32 PM   #3
where2
DIY Geek
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 401
Thanks: 74
Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts
Default

Any of these tips work for what you've got?
Solder Stations | MPJA.COM
where2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-18, 10:11 PM   #4
NiHaoMike
Supreme EcoRenovator
 
NiHaoMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,154
Thanks: 14
Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts
Default

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...
NiHaoMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-18, 10:01 AM   #5
CrankyDoug
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 100
Thanks: 6
Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts
Default

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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-18, 02:17 PM   #6
CrankyDoug
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 100
Thanks: 6
Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts
Default

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?
CrankyDoug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-18, 04:42 PM   #7
jeff5may
Supreme EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA
Posts: 2,428
Thanks: 431
Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts
Send a message via Yahoo to jeff5may
Default

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.
jeff5may is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-19, 07:47 PM   #8
pinballlooking
Super Moderator
 
pinballlooking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 2,923
Thanks: 172
Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike View Post
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.
__________________
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.

Last edited by pinballlooking; 01-04-19 at 12:21 PM..
pinballlooking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-19, 08:25 AM   #9
NiHaoMike
Supreme EcoRenovator
 
NiHaoMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,154
Thanks: 14
Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts
Default

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:

__________________
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...
NiHaoMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design