? for the builders/modders. Good quality soldering iron?

[TheFantod]

Mods, if this should be in a different section, please forgive and move accordingly.

Birthday is coming up, and family/partner are asking me what I want. I think a good quality soldering iron station would be good. Right now I'm using a cheapo Weller that I got from Lowes. It's decent, but it takes a good 10 minutes to heat up and the tips are impossible to find.

I was looking at Amazon, and the two leaders seem to be the Weller WES51 and the Hakko FX-888D.
Here are the links:
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51...id=1469329513&sr=1-13&keywords=soldering+iron
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D...id=1469329513&sr=1-17&keywords=soldering+iron

Does anyone here use either of these stations? Opinions? Is there another one I should be looking at?
Right now I'm modding pedals, making cables, fixing/swapping pickups, and building BYOC and GGG kits. So I'd like a better quality tool. I think reliability, and ease of finding replacement tips would be my biggest concerns.

Thanks in advance.

 

[boomertech]

I have a few Xytronic soldering stations and never had a problem with them. The tips also seem to last a while and they are very affordable.

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-Frank

 

[FaithNoMan]

I learned a lesson about soldering irons that run too hot just recently.

 

[Grapevine921]

 

[bongomania]

Hakko is very reliable.

 

[40Hz]

They're both good choices. I own a Hakko.

Be sure when you get whatever you get to also order a narrow chisel tip if your iron doesn't come with one. That's the tip you want for guitar work. The rounded or conical tip many irons come with isn't really suitable. I use Hakko's T18-D16 chisel tip most times.

 

[CatSquare]

I use a WES51 and i think it's great. Good selection of tips, replacement parts are available, can get to temperature quickly, very reliable. I've not used the Hakko, but from what I've heard you really couldn't go wrong there either.

 

[johnk_10]

that's the one that I use, but Hakko's are great too.

 

[J Posega]

I've just got a Weller iron, pencil type. Eventually need to upgrade to a proper station. Keeping this thread in mind when the time comes.

 

[nshuman]

Hakko Soldering Station, FX-951-66: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

That is a very nice one. If you want to go cheaper, the Hakko FX888D is great value:

http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoFX888D-23BY.html?v=0

 

[Ranger Nessy]

I use an Antex iron, and the tips have lasted a very long time. I think they're a UK company though, so not sure about US availability. Would also recommend a variable temperature iron, as some tasks/components can require different temperatures.

 

[40Hz]

That is a very nice one. If you want to go cheaper, the Hakko FX888D is great value:

http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoFX888D-23BY.html?v=0

That's the one I got on the advice of a guy who designs citcuits and creates prototypes for a living. The FX888D is total overkill for guitar electronics as it is. You'd do better taking the savings gained not getting something super expensive like an FX-951 and investing them in a decent multimeter and some top quality hand tools if you're getting into it more seriously.

 

[FNHScar17s]

Auyoue 937+ it is 65 dollar iron that is a hakko ripoff I've had it for years is super reliable has variable heat in Celsius from 200 to 450. Also has a holder for the pen, and a roller for your solder

 

[boomertech]

I would suggest that you get a station with a shaved brass tip cleaner instead of the wet sponge. The shaved brass cleaners work better than the sponge and make your tips last a lot longer.

-Frank

 

[FNHScar17s]

I second the brass sponge. Hakko makes one that is about 10 or 15 bucks

 

[nshuman]

I would suggest that you get a station with a shaved brass tip cleaner instead of the wet sponge. The shaved brass cleaners work better than the sponge and make your tips last a lot longer.

-Frank

I second the brass sponge. Hakko makes one that is about 10 or 15 bucks

Yeah. The Hakko 888 comes with both, but I still got a standalone brass sponge holder to keep closer to what I am doing on my desk. I never even wet the normal sponge, never use it if I have the brass stuff.

 

[boomertech]

I second the brass sponge. Hakko makes one that is about 10 or 15 bucks

Replacements are cheep too! $3.00

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-Frank

 

[boomertech]

I also suggest a 60W minimum station for soldering ground wires onto pot shells or copper shielding inside of the cavities on guitars. I have used a 40W station for this type of work, but a 60W has much better heat recovery.

-Frank

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I use the cheap radio shack soldering irons, 25 watt for delicate electronics, and 40 watt for soldering cables, jacks etc. I think having a clean tip is much more important, but of course the options posted above might be more reliable.

 

[Clark Dark]

This is what I have
Stahl Tools TCSS Temp Controlled Soldering Iron Station ESD Safe
The Stahl Tools TCSS electronic controlled soldering station is adjustable within a range of 300°F to 840°F, and its ESD-safe design makes it a great tool for precision solder work on and around electrostatically-sensitive components.
I bought mine from Parts Express. They also carry replacement tips.