Soldering iron recommendations

[smrieck511]

Any favorites? Looking for something smaller of course and what is the recommended wattage for logic board work?

 

[chiptripper]

I went through two cheapo irons before settling on a Hakko FX-888D. Wish I’d just gone that way from the start. It’s not small, but was a total level up. If small is a must I’ve heard good things about the Pinecil.

 

[Skate323k137]

I went through two cheapo irons before settling on a Hakko FX-888D. Wish I’d just gone that way from the start. It’s not small, but was a total level up. If small is a must I’ve heard good things about the Pinecil.

I have the same Hakko, my only complaint being occasionally it isn't able to keep the tip at temperate on joints with larger thermal mass. I may find one with a bigger wattage heater at some point.

Temperature controlled aside I used a 20 or 25 watt Weller with changeable tips for ages. I still use it sometimes if I know I'm going to hit a lot of ground planes, since it has better thermal mass backing it up (it feels like, anyway).

I would still give the hakko FX-888D 4/5 stars. And it's been really nice for surface mount assembly or different solder compositions. It also heats up really fast, awesome for prototyping.

 

[Phipli]

Going to upset everyone by pointing out I got really good use out of one of these, it was excellent.

https://aliexpress.com/item/32650209879.html

Still use it sometimes. Don't underestimate cheap irons.

Get the right plug and voltage for where you live. I did change the plug on mine because it wasn't a good one.

 

[Fizzbinn]

I really like my "Pinecil" - https://www.pine64.org/pinecil/

It replaced my TS100, which I also liked, but has improved ergonomics/performace. The Pinecil uses the same tips as the TS100 so I didn't have to rebuy those.

I use a Nekteck 60W USB C Charger as the power supply, heats up super fast and has no problem handing recapping projects.

oh and its pretty cheap too!

...looks like there is a "Pinecil v2" now that supports even more power

 

[Unknown_K]

I use all kids.

WEP 938D hot tweezers for SMD caps


898d+ Hot air and soldering pencil rework station


A $12 soldering pencil with LCD display and removable tips.

 

[Phipli]

WEP 938D hot tweezers for SMD caps

I had some of these and they stopped working the second time I used them.

 

[Unknown_K]

Mine still works but you tend to need a bit of clearance on a board to use them and they feel a bit weird to me since I don't use them that much.

Mostly I just use the hot air station and that soldering iron unless it's a quick small job then I use the cheap pencil or another soldering iron that is closer (I tend to keep all my old ones if they still work).

 

[Unknown_K]

Also if you do any thru hole desoldering a S993a desoldering vacuum gun is a must.

 

[LaPorta]

Also if you do any thru hole desoldering a S993a desoldering vacuum gun is a must.
View attachment 53192

Man that thing looks like a beast. Cost?

 

[Unknown_K]

$120-150 depending where you get it I think.

 

[Cam]

For irons I use a Pinecil, and/or a Rhagon RJ2090 that work great for any assembly jobs I've done.
For taking things apart I use a S993a desolder gun to remove thru hole devices, and a 858d hot air station for removing SMD stuff.

 

[avadondragon]

I use an AOYUE INT 950+ 65W and it has both an iron and tweezers.

Really great value for what it is. Here's a link:
https://www.sra-solder.com/aoyue-950-dual-function-repair-station-refurbished

 

[Daniël]

I'm really satisfied with my Aixun T3A. It's a Chinese brand soldering station, that they sell in a couple of variants, depending on which type of soldering tip connection you want to go with. That being Hakko T12, Hakko 936 or JBC T245.

I personally went for the JBC T245, because there are quite a few specialty JBC tips that are useful for specific tasks (wide broom-style tip for easily clearing BGA pads with solder wick for instance), and they are generally really performant. The station definitely doesn't hold them back in my experience.

 

[cheesestraws]

I'm really satisfied with my Aixun T3A

I too have a T3A with the JBC 245 handle, and I really like it. I like it so much, in fact, that I got a T3B as well, which is for driving smaller irons with finer tips, because for fine work I need all the help I can get. Both have been really good and solid so far.

 

[joshc]

I use a Yihua 862D+ SMD rework station which has a soldering iron and hot air gun in the same device. Not had any issues with it.

I think they've now replaced it with a newer model, the 862BD+

Amazon.co.uk

 

[davidg5678]

I use this T12 soldering station: https://usa.banggood.com/V2_1S-T12-...ca&a=1677893008.7628&akmClientCountry=America

I've been really pleased with it over the last few years, and it was a fantastic deal when I bought it about five years ago. One thing to note: it was only $40 when I bought it in 2018, but it is $70 now.

I'm curious about the new style of USB-C soldering irons that have since gained popularity. They probably offer better "bang for the buck" these days, although I imagine a more powerful soldering iron is still required to heat up a beefy ground plane.

 

[pball52998]

Hakko FX-888D

+1 spent the money on that as my first iron.

Love it

 

[ScutBoy]

I will also put in a recommendation for the Hakko 888

 

[pezter22]

My first soldering station was the Weller WE1010NA. It's a nice entry level station. I've purchased a much better Weller unit, but I still have it handy as a secondary station.

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-Digital-Soldering-Station-WE1010NA/dp/B077JDGY1J/ref=sr_1_5?crid=25NDANG19G6KE&keywords=weller+soldering+iron&qid=1677898535&sprefix=weller%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-5