Soldering just curious

[Terry_White]

Just curious what's your best or favorite soldering iron. (Brand, adjustable, and so on)

I have several but have recently found a likeness for of all irons a Weller WPS18MP. I picked it up for a decent price, it is ready to melt metal in about 30 seconds, not an exaggeration. It came with a decent tip. Honestly never thought I'd keep it but it works very well for now. I have ordered a Japanese made iron with adjustable temperature, if it works out I will get a much better one.

Solder, I tend to use something with a little lead in it. The connection always seemed better when I would put a new selector switch in one of my guitars. More specifically when I can get it Kester 62/36/2 if I can't get it or do not have it on hand then as close as I can get...

[snakebite]

i use old hakko stations almost exclusively.
supplies are cheap and last a long time.
quickie/emergency/field repairs done with a 18650 modded isotip.

[djburkes]

This is the first station I purchased about a year ago and the one that I still use. I purchased these tips as well. I haven’t had a problem with any of it.

[Beachlogger]

@snakebite

i use old hakko stations almost exclusively.
supplies are cheap and last a long time.
quickie/emergency/field repairs done with a 18650 modded isotip.

How difficult is the isotip mod, sounds like a handy tool.

[atbglenn]

I have both the Weller WESD51, and the Hakko FX-888D Solding Stations. Plus a few Weller Soldering Irons and Guns. My solder of choice is Kester SN63 in various gauges. That said, I’ve been soldering since the late 60’s, and for 30 years, I wired and serviced offset printing presses. Before that, I worked as a tech in stereo store building kits for customers. I’ve probably made hundreds of thousands of solder joints. I can’t remember any of them failing.

Some of my soldering equipment and solder

[HKJ]

Weller.
I started with a Weller 24V with magnetic tips maybe 30 years ago, recently (A few years ago) I decided that I needed a solder iron to handle the new leadless solder and got a new Weller iron where I could adjust the temperature (and gave the old one away).
I have tried a few other irons over time, but they could not compare to the Weller (They where not 24 volt and thermostatic controlled).

[Streamer]

@atbglenn

I have both the Weller WESD51, and the Hakko FX-888D Solding Stations. Plus a few Weller Soldering Irons and Guns. My solder of choice is Kester SN63 in various gauges. That said, I’ve been soldering since the late 60’s, and for 30 years, I wired and serviced offset printing presses. Before that, I worked as a tech in stereo store building kits for customers. I’ve probably made hundreds of thousands of solder joints. I can’t remember any of them failing. Some of my soldering equipment and solder !{width:90%}http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q146/atbglenn/Electronics/DSC_7060_zpsdolkrkc4.jpg!

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

[atbglenn]

@HKJ

Weller.
I started with a Weller 24V with magnetic tips maybe 30 years ago, recently (A few years ago) I decided that I needed a solder iron to handle the new leadless solder and got a new Weller iron where I could adjust the temperature (and gave the old one away).
I have tried a few other irons over time, but they could not compare to the Weller (They where not 24 volt and thermostatic controlled).

I had one of those magnetic temprature controlled soldering stations I bought back around 1979. I ended up replacing it 10 years ago with the WESD51 pictured. That said, I still have a Weller W100P 100 watt magnetic temprature contolled irons for soldering grounds to heavy gauge steel chassis, etc.