Soldering iron, what do you recommend?

Rapko

Rapko

Well-Known Member
I've been using a cheapo hobbico 60 watt soldering iron for all my rc needs and I'm sick of it. I've spent enough on replacement tips to have bought 2 very nice soldering irons that would still be working. I know the name Weller but have never used one nor do I know what one would be good for my rc needs. These hobbico tips are garbage, last about 45 minutes and then they're worthless. I pretin the tips and everything else to be soldered. I wipe off the excess solder off the tip as well but due to the crappy material of the tips, they just don't last. What do you guys use? I want something that isn't too expensive but also something where I don't have to replace the tip 30 times a year.
 
M

marko500

Active Member
I use a Weller SP80L. Works great for most my needs, plenty of heat for larger stuff. I use it alot on 5.5 bullet connectors on batteries and speed controls.
 
C

carcrusher

Well-Known Member
I'd go with the Trakpower iron (Formerly Checkpoint, they're all Hakko 936 irons anyway):

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXATBK&P=ML

Or, if you want to splurge, go for the new Hakko FX888:

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/89_142_2014/products_id/197693/n/Hakko-FX888-RC-P-ESD-Safe-Adjustable-Temperature-Soldering-Station

OR, if you're old-school you can go with a monster Weller D550 gun like I have:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N5LO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The only issue is the new ones are 200/260 watt - mine's 240/325 mwahahahahahahahaha! Seriously though - go with a stick iron. Guns are bulky, not good for long-term jobs, and a little bit of the tip goes into every joint due to the a/c operation so you need to replace the tips more often.
 
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northerngames

northerngames

Well-Known Member
I use the radio shack 15-watt and 25-watt they last about 2 years each and are used every other day for all electronic's.

I use the 15 for the thin wire and the 25 for the deans and power connector's.

the 15 tip's last about 10 hours each at $2.00 each and the 25 I never changed it and it's still good a year later.

there cheap and they alway's worked for anything I needed them for and I do controller mods arcade machine's arcade monitor's tv's game console's rc's radio's automobile's etc.

all them extra watt's are only good for glob's and good for burnin stuff up really and if you need a solder joint that large use a welder lol.
 
C

carcrusher

Well-Known Member
A 25-watt iron will never, ever, ever, ever be remotely adequate for working with 600+ strand 12g wire. I speak from experience because we had a Radio Shack 25w iron at the shop and it was next to impossible to get anything done with it other than doing servo leads. Heck, some of the solder that these companies use on their batteries and whatnot require at least 70+ watts to melt.
 
Rapko

Rapko

Well-Known Member
I've noticed the trak power one at Tower before but I feel like the tips will need replacing just as much although I could be wrong. Thanks for all the links. I started looking on amazon and found a weller 40 watt for $40.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28UC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Would that be able to handle soldering deans and motors? I know the material of the tip is what determines how long it'll last. COrrect me if I'm wrong but the ones I currently used are plated with something and using aluminum underneath which is why they don't last long. They end up melting wherever I tinned. Is it an iron tip that lasts the longest? Can't remember. I know I could always google it but you guys are just as helpful. :D
 
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northerngames

northerngames

Well-Known Member
as stated prior I never had any trouble with power leads battery leads motor leads etc. with the 25 watt.

just did a duel brushless clod and brushless wheely king with no trouble and also used dean's.

been doing greenboard repair and what not I listed above for 16 years now so I have a few thousand hours of hands on.

unless your soldering the frame together anything over 45 on a rc is overkill.
 
Mo'

Mo'

400 Lux
I use the TrakPower (formerly CheckPoint, Always Hakko) setup at work and at home. Its the best bang for your buck out there.



The tips last forever too. I have been using the same ones on both my home setup and work setup for 3 plus years now and they both are sill pristine. Most tip damage comes from improper storage, lack of cleaning or just using the iron too hot. I have soldered literally hundreds of items with both too. Its always nice having an iron thats a little overkill too. Whenever you get into big BL with some of the 6mm plus bullet connectors and 10 gauge wire, you need some heat. I have never had an issue with that setup not being hot enough, even when using it to solder brass together to make parts. Clean solder joints come from having enough heat to get in and out ASAP. The big boogery solder jobs people complain about come from irons cant get hot enough to melt both items simultaneously in a matter of seconds.


For $80 you cant go wrong!
 
Rapko

Rapko

Well-Known Member
Mo' said:
I use the TrakPower (formerly CheckPoint, Always Hakko) setup at work and at home. Its the best bang for your buck out there.



The tips last forever too. I have been using the same ones on both my home setup and work setup for 3 plus years now and they both are sill pristine. Most tip damage comes from improper storage, lack of cleaning or just using the iron too hot. I have soldered literally hundreds of items with both too. Its always nice having an iron thats a little overkill too. Whenever you get into big BL with some of the 6mm plus bullet connectors and 10 gauge wire, you need some heat. I have never had an issue with that setup not being hot enough, even when using it to solder brass together to make parts. Clean solder joints come from having enough heat to get in and out ASAP. The big boogery solder jobs people complain about come from irons cant get hot enough to melt both items simultaneously in a matter of seconds.


For $80 you cant go wrong!
Click to expand...
I just bought the trak power off tower for $65. Used easy pay so thats even better...That was too good to pass up.
 
Spidubic

Spidubic

Well-Known Member
Had a Radio Shack 25 watt iron which worked for thin wire but when trying to solder 12 gauge wire to a Motor it fail epically. Just would not heat it at all. Bought a new 45 watt iron and the difference is night and day. Still planning to get a soldering station one day.
 
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