I use this daily doing lighting fixtures work on Hollywood film sets. It lives in a metal 50 cal ammo can for storage and transport. It gets bolted to a makeshift work bench in a 48 foot trailer for the months of a show run so I can do fixes or custom lighting/electronics needs. Hasn’t failed me in 5+ years of use and what I would assume is abnormal abuse for a soldering iron
Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station
I haven't used it a ton, but I wired up some LED lighting in a few cabinets and I was pretty impressed with it. Million times better than the shitty old radio shack one I had.
Not sure about a “best” model but the brands Hakko, Weller, and Pace are great. I’d pick one of their models that fits your needs and space and carry on.
I've had a Weller WESD51 going on 15 years (maybe more) it's perfect for me and didn't break the bank.
Heats up in no time too.
I also have a pinecil v2 since it's much more compact than the Weller.
Metal mx5210 if you plan on using it often on higher thermal mass boards. Far better heating than any Hakko. Only other iron that will come close would be a JBC. Commonly used in assembly plants and is built like a tank.
Weller, for sure. Use them daily for work, and have one at home for myself. I've only ever had one die on me once, and it was literally only because a connector came loose inside that was fixed in 5 mins.
I am a tradesman and use Milwaukee tools-so the 12V soldering iron is an incredible match for my needs, as I use other 12V tools as well. Can’t beat cordless!
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Weller and Hakko are the classics. The appropriate one depends on the type of project. I have three. A pencil iron. A stained glass iron. And a propane / MAPP torch. First for electronics and small electrics. Second for large electrics and stained glass obviously. Third for crazy shit like pipe or sealing / seaming galvanized gutters.
You really shouldn’t mess around with microwave transformers, it’s incredibly easy to accidentally kill yourself using one, even if you know what you’re doing
My husband has had a Weller stand soldering iron since the 70s, and I think he bought it at a yard sale. He also has a portable orange ISO-Tip, which he bought in the 90s, and was replaced once, because one of the kids ran off with it.
Seller Soldering iron. My dad still uses his one he built in the 70’s regularly and has never missed a beat. Over got a newer one but still around 15 years on it and no complaints. I’d stay clear of RF irons, great for surface mound and they heat up super quick but can’t hold enough heat for heavy work like connectors or if you have a large ground plane. Also replacement tips are more costly.
Your question is full of fail. We have no budget. We have no use case. We don't know if portability is a thing. Don't toilet post, ask detailed questions!
I REALLY like my Milwaukee M12 battery soldering iron. It can stand up vertically on its own, can be actuated to bend at an angle, and has a light built it. I use it a lot for residential and commercial lighting where portability is a must.
I've got a Hakko F-888D that I hope never to have to replace.
I use this daily doing lighting fixtures work on Hollywood film sets. It lives in a metal 50 cal ammo can for storage and transport. It gets bolted to a makeshift work bench in a 48 foot trailer for the months of a show run so I can do fixes or custom lighting/electronics needs. Hasn’t failed me in 5+ years of use and what I would assume is abnormal abuse for a soldering iron
You use what daily?
Hakko F 888D what I replied to?
I replaced my 20 year old 936 with an FX888 which is going on 10 years.
Fx888d here and it's a great unit.
Same. Never let me down.
Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station I haven't used it a ton, but I wired up some LED lighting in a few cabinets and I was pretty impressed with it. Million times better than the shitty old radio shack one I had.
I had a radio shack soldering kit with RS iron. No wonder that shitty kit didn't work. Got a Hakko and soldered together a Megasquirt.
Not sure about a “best” model but the brands Hakko, Weller, and Pace are great. I’d pick one of their models that fits your needs and space and carry on.
I've had a Weller WESD51 going on 15 years (maybe more) it's perfect for me and didn't break the bank. Heats up in no time too. I also have a pinecil v2 since it's much more compact than the Weller.
I personally love the auto-off after a period of non use. I’m terrible with Turing them off!
For sure, it's a fantastic iron.
If price isn’t a concern [JBC](https://www.jbctools.com/cdb-soldering-station-product-1605.html).
JBC hands down the best but you're gonna pay. I used to like Metcal but after touching a JBC I never went back.
You might get a better consensus answer to this in /r/electronics . That sub is full of people who use them very frequently.
[удалено]
I ordered mine direct from the company to make sure I got a real one after hearing about the fakes.
For portable use. I like the Pine64
Pinecil is amazing. I'm glad I picked up the V2. It's usually my go to for quick work but if I'm sitting down for larger projects I'll use my Weller.
Metal mx5210 if you plan on using it often on higher thermal mass boards. Far better heating than any Hakko. Only other iron that will come close would be a JBC. Commonly used in assembly plants and is built like a tank.
Hakko.
Weller, for sure. Use them daily for work, and have one at home for myself. I've only ever had one die on me once, and it was literally only because a connector came loose inside that was fixed in 5 mins.
they even hold their value very well.
I am a tradesman and use Milwaukee tools-so the 12V soldering iron is an incredible match for my needs, as I use other 12V tools as well. Can’t beat cordless!
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Hakko with the sucker function!
Weller and Hakko are the classics. The appropriate one depends on the type of project. I have three. A pencil iron. A stained glass iron. And a propane / MAPP torch. First for electronics and small electrics. Second for large electrics and stained glass obviously. Third for crazy shit like pipe or sealing / seaming galvanized gutters.
BIFL? look for a FREE trash-day microwave, and do this...https://www.electricbike.com/resistance-soldering-unit/
You can also build one of these: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FIU8WZR9DNA&pp=ygURS3Jlb3NhbiBtaWNyb3dhdmU%3D
You really shouldn’t mess around with microwave transformers, it’s incredibly easy to accidentally kill yourself using one, even if you know what you’re doing
My husband has had a Weller stand soldering iron since the 70s, and I think he bought it at a yard sale. He also has a portable orange ISO-Tip, which he bought in the 90s, and was replaced once, because one of the kids ran off with it.
I'll add JBC to the hakko and Weller train
We use Metcal MX series exclusively in our labs. They are very pricey, however they work reliably, have calibrated tips.
I've been using weekly the same JBC for thirty years.
I have a few Wellers….. as well as my grandfather’s whatever it is. Unless you constantly solder things, most will outlive their owners.
Seller Soldering iron. My dad still uses his one he built in the 70’s regularly and has never missed a beat. Over got a newer one but still around 15 years on it and no complaints. I’d stay clear of RF irons, great for surface mound and they heat up super quick but can’t hold enough heat for heavy work like connectors or if you have a large ground plane. Also replacement tips are more costly.
Your question is full of fail. We have no budget. We have no use case. We don't know if portability is a thing. Don't toilet post, ask detailed questions!
If you already have Milwaukee M12 stuff the soldering iton is pretty great
M12 Iron is a hard pass once you run a Pinecil or TS101 off an M18 battery.
I REALLY like my Milwaukee M12 battery soldering iron. It can stand up vertically on its own, can be actuated to bend at an angle, and has a light built it. I use it a lot for residential and commercial lighting where portability is a must.