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Good Cheap Soldering Iron
A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab,
and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. Thanks in advance. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com |
"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
... A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab, and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. Thanks in advance. Tim - The Weller TCP series is routinely available surplus and easy to repair. I see WTCPL, WTCPN & WTCPS systems selling on eBay for $ 25 or less -- I have seen in last 4 weeks at Chicago area hamfests -- very good WTCPS & WTCPN stations selling for $ 20 to $ 25 (some may lack the stand - but that is an easy fix/purchase) The WTCPT (current production model) will usually get a few more dollars depending upon condition. Used bases run around $5, sometimes $ 10 for a cosmetic excellent condition unit. Factory and manufacturing closeouts also produce large number of soldering stations in this price range. New in this price range - you are left with a variety of 120 VAC stick irons of various wattages. Greg |
In article , Tim Wescott
wrote: A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab, and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. Thanks in advance. Salvage sales? A lot of people at our place took home Weller temp controlled stations as the labs switched over to Metcal, and I've seen stacks of Weller irons at salvage places (as companies continue to go belly-up). -- Namaste-- |
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:13:00 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote: A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab, and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. www.circuitspecialists.com has some that look reasonable, although not under $20 they are temp controlled[*] and have holders. One is about $30 and the other about $35. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/4230 http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 * it says "adjustable output" so may be open-loop control. I've purchased from them in the past (and also under their other link www.web-tronics.com) and they seem reputable. YMMV -- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA |
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 22:22:47 GMT, Rich Webb
wrote: On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:13:00 -0700, Tim Wescott wrote: A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab, and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. www.circuitspecialists.com has some that look reasonable, although not under $20 they are temp controlled[*] and have holders. One is about $30 and the other about $35. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/4230 http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 * it says "adjustable output" so may be open-loop control. I've purchased from them in the past (and also under their other link www.web-tronics.com) and they seem reputable. YMMV Circuit Specialists is a good outfit... been around for a long time (33 years), and they're in my neighborhood (Mesa, AZ), about 20 minutes away. About the only place in the Phoenix area to buy **real** parts. ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. |
"Rich Webb" wrote in message
... On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:13:00 -0700, Tim Wescott wrote: A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab, and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade, temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't recommend any good cheap ones. Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop. www.circuitspecialists.com has some that look reasonable, although not under $20 they are temp controlled[*] and have holders. One is about $30 and the other about $35. http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/4230 http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 * it says "adjustable output" so may be open-loop control. I've purchased from them in the past (and also under their other link www.web-tronics.com) and they seem reputable. YMMV -- Rich Webb Norfolk, VA I did not mention the second soldering station that Rich references for 2 reasons, 1.) Its price was outside your $$ limit 2.) This station is obviously an OEM version from same Singapore mfg. that makes the Haako 936 BUT with a connector change instead of the Amphenol/Tyco used by Haako and Circuit Specialists name. I do know that some Haako dealers aware of this unit are upset with this offering and were planning to talk to their Haako representative. gb |
Jim Thompson wrote:
Circuit Specialists is a good outfit... been around for a long time (33 years), and they're in my neighborhood (Mesa, AZ), about 20 minutes away. About the only place in the Phoenix area to buy **real** parts. ...Jim Thompson Lucky you. PDX has a Fry's and a little local outfit, but that doesn't count for real parts. I used to live in the Boston area, 30 minutes away from an Active store -- that was nice, particularly since it backed up against Future (same company) & you could get non-catalog items at the counter if you really needed them. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com |
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 16:14:22 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote: Jim Thompson wrote: Circuit Specialists is a good outfit... been around for a long time (33 years), and they're in my neighborhood (Mesa, AZ), about 20 minutes away. About the only place in the Phoenix area to buy **real** parts. ...Jim Thompson Lucky you. PDX has a Fry's and a little local outfit, but that doesn't count for real parts. I used to live in the Boston area, 30 minutes away from an Active store -- that was nice, particularly since it backed up against Future (same company) & you could get non-catalog items at the counter if you really needed them. When I lived in the Boston area Radio Shack was a real parts warehouse (on Commonwealth Avenue) with a will-call counter (only 45 years ago ;-) ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. |
Jim Thompson wrote:
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 16:14:22 -0700, Tim Wescott wrote: Jim Thompson wrote: Circuit Specialists is a good outfit... been around for a long time (33 years), and they're in my neighborhood (Mesa, AZ), about 20 minutes away. About the only place in the Phoenix area to buy **real** parts. ...Jim Thompson Lucky you. PDX has a Fry's and a little local outfit, but that doesn't count for real parts. I used to live in the Boston area, 30 minutes away from an Active store -- that was nice, particularly since it backed up against Future (same company) & you could get non-catalog items at the counter if you really needed them. When I lived in the Boston area Radio Shack was a real parts warehouse (on Commonwealth Avenue) with a will-call counter (only 45 years ago ;-) ...Jim Thompson That was probably before they got bought by Tandy. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com |
G.Beat wrote:
"Tim Wescott" wrote in message ... I see WTCPL, WTCPN & WTCPS systems selling on eBay for $ 25 or less -- I have seen in last 4 weeks at Chicago area hamfests -- very good WTCPS & WTCPN stations selling for $ 20 to $ 25 (some may lack the stand - but that is an easy fix/purchase) Greg Yea, I just jumped on there and lost a bit for one -- it went to her husband. At least I didn't push the price up too much. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com |
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