Soldering iron recommendations

[3lectr1cPPC]

I’ve still got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/SOLDER-STATION-40W-120V-ST3/dp/B000AS28UC
Got it as a starter iron back in 2019(?) and learned to solder on it. I’m sure there’s a lot better stuff out there but this one works well enough that I haven’t felt the need to get a new one, instead I’ve just expanded my tool library.
Got a Hakko FR-301 desoldering gun, works well I’d say. Hard to create any tool that does well on P4 motherboard ground planes…
The hot air station I’ve got is a Quick 861DW I believe. It’s remarkably quiet! Haven’t used it that much but it seems to be pretty high quality, works great the couple times I’ve needed it since getting it a couple months ago.

 

[jeremywork]

I bought one of these in 2020 and I've been happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z3PLKMJ/

The heat seems pretty consistent and it doesn't take long to reach operating temp. I haven't done very fancy things with it, but swapping capacitors, diodes, etc became much easier once I had it.

 

[robin-fo]

I use an ERSA i-CON PICO which is compact and surprisingly powerful

 

[Nixontheknight]

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

I prefer the pinecil, it's small, but works really well if you don't do a lot of soldering, like me

 

[smrieck511]

Well I loved this Pinecil for a year and suddenly it doesnt detect the tip anymore? anyone ever seen this problem or know how to fix it?

 

[Unknown_K]

Does the thing come apart? I would guess the temp sensor is nonfunctional (it is a temp controlled iron correct?) or the heater is broken.

 

[Fizzbinn]

Well I loved this Pinecil for a year and suddenly it doesnt detect the tip anymore? anyone ever seen this problem or know how to fix it?

hmm, have you tried removing the tip and re-inserting it?

 

[smrieck511]

yeah, it does come apart and I've tightened the contacts and cleaned up everything. Re-inserted the tips several times.… No dice.

 

[Nixontheknight]

yeah, it does come apart and I've tightened the contacts and cleaned up everything. Re-inserted the tips several times.… No dice.

try using deoxit on the contacts on the iron and tip

 

[smrieck511]

try using deoxit on the contacts on the iron and tip

yeah, I tried deoxit… Still nothing

 

[Nixontheknight]

yeah, I tried deoxit… Still nothing

then maybe something disconnected internally in the tip, try buying new tips

 

[smrieck511]

I know this sounds weird, but I think I figured out what I've been doing wrong with the Pinecil...

I have two dead tips. The iron itself is fine.

The tips stop working shortly after I clean them using fine grit sandpaper which I know sounds stupid, but I've done stupider things…

Not sure why this would happen, but it can't be a coincidence that two tips went bad right after doing this. Thankfully, they're pretty cheap to replace.

 

[MacUp72]

I currently have 4 different irons but still not what I'm looking for..have a cheap adjustable Conrad station, Ersa Multitip (fixed temp), a cheaper adjustable and a chinese adjustable but it doesnt hold the temp very good. On YT many use the pinecil and it looks fine, but its about 100 bucks here in euro land..