10 replies to this topic

[NevadaZielmeister]

Gentlemen,

 

Sorry if this is the wrong area, but I figured since it pertains to modifications, this would be the correct forum. 

 

Can anyone recommend a good soldering iron? What are features to look for and what to watch out. 

 

My soldering gun is just too hot and the tip seems way to big for my applications here in re-wiring a blaster. 

 

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated!!

[shandsgator8]

Depends on how much you're willing to spend and what you want to do with it.

 

For typical flywheel mods, a 30W or 40W (watts) Radio Shack pencil style iron will suffice, but barely. It'll be good enough for splicing wires, attaching connectors and soldering wires to motors.

 

However, if you want to build your own battery packs, you'll want an iron with more power. I'd recommend at least 60W.

 

If you want to use the soldering iron for other tasks, such as sensitive electronics boards, you'll want something lower powered, such as 20W.

 

So what am I getting at? A more flexible soldering iron will have an adjustable temperature; it'll also cost more.

 

I personally use the Hakko FX888D, but you don't need to spend that much, although you'll need to spend close to that for a good iron. Another good brand is Weller, such as the WLC100, although I think 40W isn't enough power to safely build battery packs. As long as you won't be building battery packs, I think the WLC100 will be perfect for typical Nerf flywheel mods. You could get the WES51, but that's pretty much the cost of the Hakko.

 

There are cheaper options with adjustable temperature settings and goes up to 60W: The TrakPower TK-950. I believe it's a rebranded Hakko, but I'm not positive.

 

As for tips, whatever comes with most of the irons I recommened are good enough for anything you'll need to do with flywheel Nerf mods. I bought a smaller and broader (chisel) tip when I got my Hakko, but I've never used them yet and I've worked on things from Game Boys to battery packs to Graphing calculators to my Nerf Stryfe.

 

EDIT: Here's an option:http://www.hobbyking...Warehouse_.html

 

I'm betting it's a rebranded version of a name brand iron, such as Hakko. However, for such a cheap price, I'd be wary. But then again, for such a cheap price, it might be worth trying?

Edited by shandsgator8, 25 December 2015 - 05:19 PM.

[rego]

I can second the Hakko FX888D. The thing has amazingly positive reviews and only costs $100 dollars. However, if you are only looking for something for occasional use, not regular hobby use, go with a moderately priced pencil iron. They're not perfect, but they'll work fine and dandy if you only need to use it once every six months. Just be sure to only use the good solder, not any of that lead free crap.

[CaliforniaPants]

a money saving tip: harbor freight pencil irons dont work, like they just dont get hot enough to do basic wire joining. i have had poor luck with pencil irons in general and have considered buying a soldering station

 

this is a good thread

[Majestic]

I walked into a Fry's last week and found this. $22 for a 48w adjustable soldering station was too intriguing to pass up. I have not taken my temperature probe to the tip yet so I can not verify the 302-842F claims on the box. I have only used it for one smallish job, an LED circuit with maybe 19 solder joints and it worked through it quite well. The unit's durability might not be the greatest but it might be a place to start.

Edited by Majistic, 27 December 2015 - 05:24 AM.

[shandsgator8]

The Hakko 936 is a great option. It's been discontinued, but I think you can get a new 936 soldering station and pencil iron off eBay for fairly cheap. You'll have to wait for them to be shipped from China, though.

Edited by shandsgator8, 27 December 2015 - 11:20 AM.

[NevadaZielmeister]

Thank you so much for the information. It seems that the Hakko brand is well established and well known. I was surprised. 

 

In reviewing options with my father, who is an electrical engineer, he did say that the Wellers are nice, but probably more than what I need them for. The key is to get something that is hot enough for your particular application but not too hot. 

 

I found this option as a very strong possibility: http://www.amazon.co...uct_top?ie=UTF8

 

I figure it might be good for light use. However, if anyone has had issues with that iron, please let me know. I only have found a few negative experiences with that model.

 

I'll admit, that I could easily drool and lust over the Hakko FX888D. That things looks really solid and very versatile. 

[shandsgator8]

It's a Hakko, so it's a good iron. However, it doesn't seem clear exactly how hot it can get and how many watts it is. I don't think you'll go wrong getting that Hakko pencil iron. However, you won't regret getting the FX888D. I spent years settling on a $20 P.O.S. Radio shack 30W pencil iron for years always wanting a Weller or Hakko. A few years ago I got the Hakko and regret waiting so long to get it. I realized that since I spent decades using a soldering iron for many applications, it was worth investing in a very good iron, one that would last for the rest of my building life.

Edited by shandsgator8, 27 December 2015 - 11:45 AM.

[DjOnslaught]

I got a mudder pencil style off amazon for christmas that is variable temperature and goes from 40w to 120w

[NevadaZielmeister]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have decided to go with the Hakko FX-888D. The features are just too much to pass up. There were a ton of threads I looked through regarding Hakko FX-888D versus Weller WES51 and it was like the old Ford vs. Chevy debate. But the way the Hakko looks as it heats up and how it only takes 20 seconds to heat up.. WOW!!

 

I also like how the Hakko shows you a digital readout of the actual tip temperature. I imagine that this is not exact, but hey, it looks cool, right? 

 

I try to get it in and do some simple modification to my new Modulus (re-wire) and see how it works and get you guys feedback. Thank you all again!!!

[shandsgator8]

Good choice! I still have the habit of plugging in my Hakko and doing other things for a few minutes while I "wait" for it to heat up. But as you said, it heats up so darn fast, I'm just wasting electricity doing other stuff before I get to soldering.