Need a new soldering iron.

[Ting Ho Dung]

Radio Shack = POS

What and where to get something that can actually melt solder. If it doubles as a joint lighter it would be a plus.

[unfun75]

Check these out. I read good things about the $25 one.

http://buildyourownclone.com/tools.html?p=2

[maxschrek]

Weller. period.

[Bloozguy]

The brands that I see used most in the electronics assembly industry are OK International/Metcal, Hakko, Pace and the high-end Weller stations. Unfortunately, they are all a couple hundred dollars and up. The one that unfun75 linked to actually looks pretty decent and probably worth a try.

Also, remember to always use 63/37 tin/lead solder. The lead-free stuff has a melting point about 200 degrees higher which makes it that much more difficult to get a good solder joint.

[DaveL]

I have one of these... fairly reasonable, if you grab one and also check out the various youtube tutorials

on proper soldering technicques, cleaning the tip. not overheating etc, you will be ok no reason to

pay $100 for a harness containing $24 worth of parts. sorry just sayin.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404696532&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+soldering+station

[gorch]

35W irons do it perfectly for analog related stuff. For digital 25W is just right. Lookout for a good stand. The heavier the better.

[sixesandsevens]

I have one of the Hakko stations (FX888?) and the work is a breeze compared to my old RS POS.

[Hackubus]

My wife picked up a Hakko FX888 station as a Xmas present for me a couple of years ago, and it is OMG good.

[velorush]

I present the Murkat-approved station from Circuit Specialists. He recommended this a few years ago and it is still one of my favorite guitar- related purchases. They do have more expensive digitally-controlled versions and what not, but this thing is great! Heats up in seconds and is completely rebuildable. Get a couple of different sized chisel tips and you're in business in a big way.

They had a special going when I bought mine - I got a fantastic multimeter for free! Great folks to deal with.

[Disturber]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/220V-45W-YIHUA-936-Constant-temperature-Antistatic-Soldering-Station-Solder-Iron/1588428712.html

Bought one just like that, but a Chinese copy, just the other day. Havent received it yet. For what I solder Im sure it will be fine. I saw a Youtube review comparing it to the original, it was not to far behind in construction.

[hamerhead]

Wait a minute - they actually allow you to use a hot, pointy object?!?

[Thundersteel]

At work, we use Weller and Pace. I own a Weller.

[JES1680]

Anybody have one with a vacuum de-solder option?

I've been doing some work on PC Marshalls and that would seem to be very handy.

Something like this?

http://buildyourownclone.com/tools/zd987.html

[Bobby Marshall]

I present the Murkat-approved station from Circuit Specialists. He recommended this a few years ago and it is still one of my favorite guitar- related purchases. They do have more expensive digitally-controlled versions and what not, but this thing is great! Heats up in seconds and is completely rebuildable. Get a couple of different sized chisel tips and you're in business in a big way.

They had a special going when I bought mine - I got a fantastic multimeter for free! Great folks to deal with.

I was a soldering school drop out until Murkat told me about this. If you can't solder with this you are using the wrong end.

[DaveH]

Weller makes a nice little station for a tad over $50... for the money you can't beat it. Hakko's are great, but higher end even on their low-end models.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC

[chromium]

I present the Murkat-approved station from Circuit Specialists. He recommended this a few years ago and it is still one of my favorite guitar- related purchases. They do have more expensive digitally-controlled versions and what not, but this thing is great! Heats up in seconds and is completely rebuildable. Get a couple of different sized chisel tips and you're in business in a big way.

They had a special going when I bought mine - I got a fantastic multimeter for free! Great folks to deal with.

I was a soldering school drop out until Murkat told me about this. If you can't solder with this you are using the wrong end.

Those guys are about 20 minutes away from me. Nice to still have a bricks-and-mortar store around like that...

Pretty sure that is/was a rebranded Hakko 936. I've had mine for ~15 years, and worked the hell out of it... still going strong.

[trashedman]

Yep a Weller, or start sayn old yeller