Aldi Digital Soldering Station - Any good?

[Ron Ron Ron]

On sale from this Sunday...

 

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-digital-soldering-station/p/083184201878400

 

How would this compare with other soldering stations and is the spec. suitable for a wide range of model railway applications, e.g. electrical wiring, soldering brass parts etc, ?

 

 

Ron

 

 

 

.

[sorabain]

On sale from this Sunday...

 

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-digital-soldering-station/p/083184201878400

 

How would this compare with other soldering stations and is the spec. suitable for a wide range of model railway applications, e.g. electrical wiring, soldering brass parts etc, ?

 

 

Ron

 

 

 

.

 

The quoted 4 minute warm-up time from 23-300C would worry me a bit, seems a bit slow for a 60W iron.

[MarkC]

For just under £20 it's not a bad price, tbh. I'll take a punt on one; won't be able to test it until I get home in July, but that's not a problem.

 

Aldi electrical kit is usually pretty good, so we will see.

[t-b-g]

A couple of things that would make think twice.

 

Is there a back up after sales service for things like spare soldering iron bits?

 

Many soldering stations to down to 150 degrees at the power end, which is ideal for soldering whitemetal. 200 is borderline and 60 watts at 200 degrees may well melt some smaller components.

 

Having said that, I managed with a similar iron from Maplins for many years and only got a better one when some 7mm stuff got too big for it to heat up.

[Phill Dyson (onslaught832)]

Weller or Antex for me personally, a small & large conventional irons are versatile enough & won't cost the earth & you will be able to get replacement parts anywhere

Edited May 25, 2018 by Phill Dyson (onslaught832)

[melmerby]

As mentioned elsewhere (Bargain Hunters Mk2) along with other possible useful tools.

 

Aldi electrical items have a three year warranty and if they are on form there will be spares as I found when I wanted a spare battery for a multi-tool

 

Keith

[Il Grifone]

I've bought the similar one from Lidl for about half the price*. It's not digital - it just has a calibrated knob. It does the job, but there are a couple of snags. The cable is very stiff (and has a mind of its own!) and the bits are rubbish and burn out quickly. This seems to be a characteristic of modern bits I find

 

Spares are available according to the instructions. IIRC a couple of quid each plus carriage - it's almost cheaper to buy another iron!

 

* It comes with solder and spade and point bits like the Aldi one.

Edited May 28, 2018 by Il Grifone

[trustytrev]

Hello,

       Looking at the bits shown gives me the impression replacements could be a problem. Are they some standard screw type I have not seen before?

Possibly dearer in the long run due to low cost standard bits not being available from numerous sources to keep prices competitive.

trustytrev.

[yelrow]

I have the one they sold that feeds the solder, also their previous solder station. Both excellent, never needed spares. 3 year warranty. john

[Ron Ron Ron]

Regarding the operating temperature range, 200-450 C.

 

Is that suitable for most modelling and electrical work?

 

n.b. My old cheapie Weller, that I've had for nearly 35 years, doesn't have any temperature control, so it's always been a hit and miss affair.

 

 

.

Edited May 29, 2018 by Ron Ron Ron

[yelrow]

I must admit, i am the same, i just use whichever iron is nearest at the time. Twas good enough for my dad. I have a temp controlled one, but rarely used.

[melmerby]

I had a look at this in Aldi today, looks OK but I'm a bit (sic) concerned the way the bits screw in and whether any other brands have them like that.

All of the irons I have had/used either push in or on to the iron's body or have a locking ring screw or side grip screw.

 

Keith

[Torper]

If you're going to be doing a lot of soldering, get yourself a decent iron.  I'm not at all sure that Aldi's offering falls into that category.

 

DT