The Hamer of 30w soldering irons...

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

I have an Antex 25w and an Antex 80w which are both brilliant. But, I need something hotter than a 25w (for the backs of pots for instance). I currently have a 'no name' 40w iron but... again, it gets too hot! I'm thinking of maybe getting a 30w iron and maybe a Weller brand! I'd rather pay for a name and get a tool I can trust (but within reason, we're talking £30 / $50 tops here)

 

I ditched using a solder station a long time ago as they are just too unreliable. Separate irons are good for me.

 

Whatcha' got?

[Jeff R]

Some may scoff at this, but for stubborn and potential "big heat" spots like pot backs and trem claws, I scuff the pot back with a chisel tip or an awl to create a nicer grip point, I use solder from my older stash with good lead and rosin core content, and I (egad) pop the job fast with a soldering gun.

Some say the gun can damage the pickups by proximity and I'm not saying that's not true,  but I've been getting in and out quickly with a gun on pot backs and claws for decades now and I haven't messed up a pickup or done anything my ears or my multimeter can detect with the gun yet. Maybe I'm very fast on the draw or I'm just plain lucky, but my experience with it is what it is.

[Hbom]

I bought one of these last year. Works great! Covers everything I need and would do a lot more if I ever need it.

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-premier-75w-Soldering-Station.html

[velorush]

Hbom, that's the Murkat-approved, Murkat-recommended vendor for soldering stations.

I've been using an older version of this one (less expensive) for years. It allows me quick in-and-out on the pot backs like Jeff R describes. The other cool thing about Circuit Specialists is they stock replacement parts for everything on these devices. Great service, can't say enough great things about them. One of Jay's best recommendations to me (and there have been a bunch over the years!).

[gorch]

Years ago I've bought one that looked solid in an electronics shop. Don't use it on a daily basis. So, it will last for a long time. 30W is just right for guitar iron works.

[Lockbody]

26 minutes ago, velorush said:

Hbom, that's the Murkat-approved, Murkat-recommended vendor for soldering stations.

I've been using an older version of this one (less expensive) for years. It allows me quick in-and-out on the pot backs like Jeff R describes. The other cool thing about Circuit Specialists is they stock replacement parts for everything on these devices. Great service, can't say enough great things about them. One of Jay's best recommendations to me (and there have been a bunch over the years!).

I have the same one as velorush, and for the price it just cannot be beat. I did some pickup swapping this weekend and it made quick work of soldering the grounds to the pots.

[Hbom]

39 minutes ago, velorush said:

Hbom, that's the Murkat-approved, Murkat-recommended vendor for soldering stations.

I've been using an older version of this one (less expensive) for years. It allows me quick in-and-out on the pot backs like Jeff R describes. The other cool thing about Circuit Specialists is they stock replacement parts for everything on these devices. Great service, can't say enough great things about them. One of Jay's best recommendations to me (and there have been a bunch over the years!).

 

10 minutes ago, Lockbody said:

I have the same one as velorush, and for the price it just cannot be beat. I did some pickup swapping this weekend and it made quick work of soldering the grounds to the pots.

I started out after that one but got carried away with the hoopla & fancies of the newer one. Plus a very big special offer let me get the 70 watt adjustable model for $5 more than the Murkat approved model. But even at $60 I think it is a good investment.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

Ermmm... Did I mention I live in England? I had a solder station (some cheap piece-of-crap from China) and it put out about half of the heat it was supposed to. Unless I can get those models in England, I'd rather just get a Weller 30w or similar. My new Antex 25w (slim) is great for wiring but not quite hot enough fro the backs of pots etc. 40w models are slightly too hot. Which 30w iron would anyone recommend?

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

I found this ($100) and might take a punt! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CSI-PREMIER75W-Digital-Temperature-Controlled-Solder-Station-75W-Soldering-Iron-/222038248958?hash=item33b282cdfe:g:t-IAAOSw2VJVfzht

I'd prefer a black one though

[Hbom]

Pretty sure that's the same one I have. But it's set up for UK power and available to you locally.   

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

53 minutes ago, Hbom said:

Pretty sure that's the same one I have. But it's set up for UK power and available to you locally.   

Yep, it's the same one! $100 over here though

[Jakeboy]

How is the no-name 40 watter too hot?  I find I like the hotter-the-better for pots and amps. Get in and out quick...this prevents the heat build-up.

i fear you may get exactly what you already have unless you get an adjustable soldering station with a temp readout. 

[murkat]

6 hours ago, Hbom said:

 

I started out after that one but got carried away with the hoopla & fancies of the newer one. Plus a very big special offer let me get the 70 watt adjustable model for $5 more than the Murkat approved model. But even at $60 I think it is a good investment.

Yup. mine is still going.

old school solder works best.

pre tining and curing tips helps and keeps tips working for years.

Try to find some kessler solder Vic.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

9 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

How is the no-name 40 watter too hot?  I find I like the hotter-the-better for pots and amps. Get in and out quick...this prevents the heat build-up.

i fear you may get exactly what you already have unless you get an adjustable soldering station with a temp readout. 

It's a cheap Chinese thing! When I turn it on, it get's to the point where it's fine if I'm quick but it doesn't stop there. It carries on getting hotter and the tip/shaft goes brown and has a flakey substance all over it. The tip is never clean for work as it is with my Antex 25w model! I cannot just go in/out with it without it melting anything not metal. I know when an iron is getting hotter than it ought to...

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

8 hours ago, murkat said:

old school solder works best.

Try to find some kessler solder Vic.

I have new lead-free solder which I'm not keen on but I also have old 60/40 lead solder which is brilliant! The problem is my Chinese 40w iron as explained in the post above this one. Thanks

Even thought I said I didn't want one, I think I'm gonna go get the CSI 75w solder station...

[Hbom]

Vic, I just got a 5% off email from CSI this morning. I doubt it will work on an eBay item but if you see a spot to put in a promo code, try MMM16. Might save you a little.

 

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

5 hours ago, Hbom said:

Vic, I just got a 5% off email from CSI this morning. I doubt it will work on an eBay item but if you see a spot to put in a promo code, try MMM16. Might save you a little.

 

Coupon isn't valid in CSI EU man! Cheers though

[Hbom]

Sorry. Figured that wood be the case but it was worth a shot.

[murkat]

17 hours ago, Vic Croll (Concrete Sox) said:

I have new lead-free solder which I'm not keen on but I also have old 60/40 lead solder which is brilliant! The problem is my Chinese 40w iron as explained in the post above this one. Thanks

Even thought I said I didn't want one, I think I'm gonna go get the CSI 75w solder station...

if your doing solder work, no regrets at all. you'll love it at the same time face palming wondering why you used that old stick for so long.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

On 30/03/2016 at 2:18 AM, murkat said:

if your doing solder work, no regrets at all. you'll love it at the same time face palming wondering why you used that old stick for so long.

I also have a brilliant Antex 25w one that is excellent but just not hot enough for the back of pots. The reason I went back to old sticks (a 25w, a 40w + a 80w) is my last station was a complete pile of shit! Looking forward to this CSI though

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

So, I just bought the CSI Premier 75w Solder Station. Ran me just about $100 (£65.00 delivered UK). Bought it directly from CSI EU...

[Jeff R]

On 3/30/2016 at 8:18 PM, murkat said:

if your doing solder work, no regrets at all. you'll love it at the same time face palming wondering why you used that old stick for so long.

I watched the video of that unit and between that and your feedback, Jay, I told Von if she's looking for a birthday present for me later this month, that would be a GREAT choice. Thanks for the tip (solder joke content fulfilled)

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

So, it arrived this morning! What an absolutely brilliant piece of kit! Well worth the $100 it cost. Also, I had a bunch of tips that fit none of my other irons (from my old solder station) but, they fit this! I've re-shaped them to my liking so now I have around 6 different tips for free too. Very pleased

[Hbom]

Glad to hear Vic. I've been a bit nervous ever since I mentioned  it and you ordered it. I like mine a lot, but there's a lot of difference between being a good iron for an old fart that wires up 4 or 5 guitars a year and a shop that will be using it everyday. I hope it works great for you for many years.

[mrjamiam]

11 hours ago, Vic Croll (Concrete Sox) said:

So, it arrived this morning! What an absolutely brilliant piece of kit! Well worth the $100 it cost. Also, I had a bunch of tips that fit none of my other irons (from my old solder station) but, they fit this! I've re-shaped them to my liking so now I have around 6 different tips for free too. Very pleased

That was fast!  I also ordered one here in the US about the same time you said you ordered yours, but it's not here yet.  Of course Arizona to Alabama is a bit further than yours probably had to go.  Glad to hear the positive review on your NSSD.  Enjoy!

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

9 hours ago, mrjamiam said:

That was fast!  I also ordered one here in the US about the same time you said you ordered yours, but it's not here yet.  Of course Arizona to Alabama is a bit further than yours probably had to go.  Glad to hear the positive review on your NSSD.  Enjoy!

LOL yeah! $13 of the $100 outlay was for next day guaranteed delivery. It was $12 for 3-5 days so I went the extra $1