What kind of soldering iron to buy

Types of soldering iron There are many different types of soldering iron that are available. Very broadly they can be split into three main categories: Basic air cooled irons: The most basic type of soldering iron has no temperature control apart from the cooling effect of the air and any work that the iron may be used with. These soldering irons can be bought quite cheaply and are OK for many applications, although they do not have the temperature control of some of the more advanced types.

Basic soldering iron Temperature controlled soldering iron: It is possible to place a thermostat within the soldering iron to provide temperature control of the bit. This enables the right temperature to be maintained at all times.

A higher wattage element can be used for times when heat is being drawn from the bit without the temperature rising too high for good soldering. The blog is really very helpful and good learning source, who are trying hands on soldering. I purchased the Hakko FXD soldering station with only limited soldering experience that was acquired many years ago. I was able to complete my project with flawless precision and the completed keyboard was both technically and aesthetically perfect.

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Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit. Finally, we looked for longer cords and useful accessories. Plus, the iron felt easy and comfortable for us to use, and its included station is sturdy, with a place for every accessory.

A faster heat-up time means you get to start soldering faster, and it also means that the tip will return to its working temperature more quickly between each joint. Its lowest temperature was also average, though a lower temperature is necessary only for more delicate electronics.

Like all of the irons we tested except for the Vastar, the X-Tronic soldering iron came with only a single conical tip, but it was thin enough to work well with the Larson Scanner Kit. X-Tronic sells additional tips, and our pick is compatible with Aoyue and Hakko tips, too. The display made it especially easy for us to track whether the iron was hot enough for use and to tweak the temperature accordingly. Each instance was annoying but passed within a few seconds, and the X-Tronic recovered about as quickly as the other inexpensive models we tested.

If you want an iron that rebounds faster, consider paying more for the Hakko FXD. The X-Tronic Model XTS took a little over two minutes to set up, mostly due to the solder holder that attaches to the side of the station, which proved to be stubborn for us.

The Hakko FXD heats up fast and quickly rebounds in temperature while soldering, allowing you to solder continuously without waiting for the iron to get hot again. It comes with a digital display plus a thin pen that is easy to hold and stays cool to the touch. Its molded-metal-and-plastic soldering station and stand feel heavier and more durable than the other options we tested.

We also like that the station and stand are separate so you can free up space in your immediate work area. We also noticed that its tip returned to temperature slightly faster than that of the X-Tronic, so we had to wait less between soldering joints.

The iron we bought came with a small wedge-style tip, which worked okay for the Larson Scanner Kit. Hakko also sells many compatible and inexpensive tips for the FXD; we recommend picking up a thinner conical tip for even more precise control.

As was the case with the Model XTS, it always stayed cool to the touch. The station also gives you the option to set passwords if multiple people are using it. Setting up the FXD took 22 seconds, one of the fastest times among the stations we tested. It is the only station design we tested that separates the soldering iron stand from the station. That allows you to keep just the stand in your immediate work area, freeing up more space for your project and supplies.

Both the stand and station are heavy with grippy feet that hold them firmly in place, and they are made of molded plastic and metal with well-placed spots for a sponge and cleaning wire. We also appreciated the fun blue and yellow color combination.

If you decide to buy an FXD, be alert for counterfeits, which are rampant on sites like Amazon. Hakko publishes a page of retail stores and authorized partners that stock its products.

It could be worth the effort of going to a store in person to make sure you get the real deal. But its handle got uncomfortably warm in our tests, and its included stand is unstable. Even so, the Vastar offering is a decent option if you want everything you need aside from a sponge and a nicer stand in one set: It comes with five tips, a desoldering pump, a basic stand though we recommend replacing it with the Hakko FH stand if you plan to use it regularly—and at that point it would be cheaper to buy the X-Tronic Model XTS , tweezers, and solder.

In our tests, the watt Vastar iron got hot enough in a reasonable amount of time for us to work on the Larson Scanner Kit, with a heat-up time of 1 minute 23 seconds and the highest maximum heat. Like the other irons, the Vastar held its temperature for the most part—only once or twice did its temperature drop noticeably, requiring us to wait a few seconds for it to heat back up, just like with the X-Tronic model.

Although the iron itself is thin enough to hold comfortably, the base of its handle was one of the warmest we tested. I found myself scooting my hand farther up the iron, pausing my soldering concentration periodically to think about my hand placement. We recommend the Hakko FH The solder provided with the Vastar iron was so useful that we ended up using it throughout testing.

If you're just looking for the basics, this model has them and more. The WLC heats quickly and can get up to Fahrenheitideal for basic electronics. It also works for jewelry and hobby models. This item features a Weller certified ST3 iron-plated tip which will last you plenty long enough. Keeping your soldering iron clean is essential for long life, which is where the included reusable sponge comes in handy too.

If you're looking for the precision of digital controls, the watt Hakko FXD is a great option. You'll find the features of much higher-end soldering irons here alongside all the basic accessories you need. Do you find yourself always using a few temperatures? The FXD's presets help you reach them quickly and easily. This, combined with the powerful heater, means you won't find yourself waiting for the right temperature.

Not only is the FXD full-featured, but it comes with a small footprint. This means you can keep your work area organized and the iron won't take up space when you're not using it. This soldering iron packs 75 watts of power with a similar feature set to many of the mid-range models on this list.

One of the most important soldering iron considerations is safety. After all, you're dealing with high temperatures, which can be dangerous. It also has a self-test function to check for short circuits and overloads.