Do939kekl Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 I'm used to soldering, but need to replace my ageing one. Looking for one with a fine bit so I can pick up some 2mm etched finescale wagon kits, but also some larger scales such as 4mm and poss 7mm. So enough power too. I'm not looking for a cheap £8 bargain on amazon, but wondering if anyone could suggest any makes, esp. ones with interchangable/replaceable bits. Have Googled but so many offered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold sjp23480 Posted January 24, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2022 I use a Duratool digital solder station - just had to replace the iron after about 15 years use. A range of bits and related spares are available and digital temperature control makes it quite flexible. Works for me, but not cheap: https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00675/soldering-station-uk-plug/dp/SD01387?fi=wp Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Hayter Posted January 24, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 24, 2022 Have you tried the search function on the site here. Soldering iron recommendations comes up trumps. FWIW I have a Circuit Specialists temperature controlled model which they delivered from Manchester to France in 47 hours. Very satisfied. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR traction instructor Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 I use an Antex temperature controlled base station and have 3 50W irons, each with a different size tip to plug in according to the job in hand. BeRTIe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BMS Posted January 24, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2022 Over the years from 1960 or so I've used a range of soldering irons both professional and hobby. I have currently, amongst others, a Weller, a Maplins Temperature controlled, 3 or 4 Antex, 1 £8 temperature controlled ,job ( capable of getting up to red hot happily) and currently a new £14 80W temperature controlled one with the temperature controlled on the handle with an inbuilt screen and buttons and it is capable of calibrating the temperature. It came with 5 different tips from fine to cutting. The tip fitting is compatible with that of most of my collection. It is CE certified. Being 80w it gets up to the demanded temperature quickly. The ability to adjacent the temperature on the handle as opposed to go to the control box at the other end of the lead is great, and also has much tighter control over select-able temperatures. Not to mention with the Maplin the disadvantage of having a clunky control unit to locate on the workbench and possibily fall on the floor potentially dragging the iron with it. Just my thoughts 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold sjp23480 Posted January 24, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2022 (edited) 17 minutes ago, BMS said: Over the years from 1960 or so I've used a range of soldering irons both professional and hobby. I have currently, amongst others, a Weller, a Maplins Temperature controlled, 3 or 4 Antex, 1 £8 temperature controlled ,job ( capable of getting up to red hot happily) and currently a new £14 80W temperature controlled one with the temperature controlled on the handle with an inbuilt screen and buttons and it is capable of calibrating the temperature. It came with 5 different tips from fine to cutting. The tip fitting is compatible with that of most of my collection. It is CE certified. Being 80w it gets up to the demanded temperature quickly. The ability to adjacent the temperature on the handle as opposed to go to the control box at the other end of the lead is great, and also has much tighter control over select-able temperatures. Not to mention with the Maplin the disadvantage of having a clunky control unit to locate on the workbench and possibily fall on the floor potentially dragging the iron with it. Just my thoughts Hi @BMS - sounds interesting, do you have a link to your 80W iron? Edited January 24, 2022 by sjp23480 Typo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus ojo Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 (edited) There are a lot of soldering stations working with Hakko 900M-T-B type tips. You will get a lot of different types and sources of tips for little money but quality is extremely variable, so only take quality tips. I am always a bit on the cheap side and thus the name of my budget soldering station is YiHua 926 (or like this). It seems to have a closed curcuit control and the cup-like tip slipped over the ceramic heating element is giving acceptable response for "notching up" when finding a heat sink. It works well for me, for trackwork and model kits and if I need more power I´d use a torch. It looks like Steve´s "Duratool" is one of the budget kind as well but has exchangeable irons with leads which I would regard as an advantage. It much depends on your demands and objects of your soldering arts. If you are working on replaceable things the budget soldering stations may be OK. However, depending on your wallet there are better things on the market as mentioned above. If you´re constructing a seldom etch kit you may wish to have a more professional station. (Well, I am thinking about this as well, but still my wallet hurts) greetings Klaus I am having a little red iron named 908S 80W EDS on a short lead which may meet the features and the price range mentionend by BMS above.[its different] It´s working with Hakko 900M-T-B type tips as well and is fine as a substitute but I wouldn´t recommend it for mayor, longer or sophisticated tasks. The handle seems not too durable. Edited January 26, 2022 by Klaus ojo 80W (different from BMS) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BMS Posted January 24, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2022 My one is a Handskit927 from Amazon.....There are a few similar as usual from China. The handle is more substantial than some of the others and is more rigid IMHO. It also comes with amongst other things a tip assembly cover for avoiding ceramic damage when use when cold Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ROSSPOP Posted January 25, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2022 I`m throwing in a curve ball....................... For the last two months I`ve switched over to a cordless soldering iron....... Powered by Butane gas , variable temperature up to 90w. Probably need to be confident with model soldering techniques. But so far...I`m very impressed. ....with O gauge coach building... and the usual point making methods.... So... Portasol Solder pro-125 £34.10 post free if with Amazon Prime. Pack of three 300mls Butane gas lighter fluid Amazon £7.99. and away you go..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian Morgan Posted January 25, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2022 I was lucky to pick up a Hakko FX-888D in the Maplins closing down sales. Not cheap, and the genuine spare bits direct from Japan are an investment, but worth it. Best features for me are the ease of swapping bits, and the rapid getting up to temperature. In the past I have had to give up on irons with bit retaining screws that fused to the shaft and could not be undone. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MikeParkin65 Posted January 25, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2022 17 minutes ago, Ian Morgan said: I was lucky to pick up a Hakko FX-888D in the Maplins closing down sales. Not cheap, and the genuine spare bits direct from Japan are an investment, but worth it. Best features for me are the ease of swapping bits, and the rapid getting up to temperature. In the past I have had to give up on irons with bit retaining screws that fused to the shaft and could not be undone. I've got one of these too - has transformed my soldering and confidence to take on more ambitious projects. Cheaper than the average rtr loco = bargain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caley Jim Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 As I've mentioned in the past, I have an ERSA 80W temperature controlled iron which I've been using for around 10 years now very happily. Wasn't cheap back then and eye-watering price from Farnell nowadays! For general use, including 2mm etched kits, I use a 2mm chisel bit at 300°C, although I have a fine pointed bit for soldering decoder wires. Jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mcfarlane Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 3 hours ago, Ian Morgan said: I was lucky to pick up a Hakko FX-888D in the Maplins closing down sales. Not cheap, and the genuine spare bits direct from Japan are an investment, but worth it. Another vote for the Hakko. They are well made, and last for ever so you'll save money compared to buying an endless stream of cheapo soldering irons that pack up after a year or two. https://www.amazon.co.uk/HAKKO-FX-888D-Soldering-Station-70W/dp/B077B9Q6SJ/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=hakko+fx-888d&qid=1643120756&sprefix=hakko%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Ian Morgan said: I was lucky to pick up a Hakko FX-888D in the Maplins closing down sales. Not cheap, and the genuine spare bits direct from Japan are an investment, but worth it. Best features for me are the ease of swapping bits, and the rapid getting up to temperature. Hmmm My Antex looks even easier, Simply slide on/slide off. Some do have a circlip but you can still get them off without moving it. In my old day job, MetCal were the ones used for precision work but they tend to be in the "if you need to ask the price, you can't afford it" bracket Edited January 25, 2022 by Crosland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 Another vote for Hakko HAKKO FX-888D. I've been using a soldering tool or another (irons, guns) since I was 8 years old. Nothing compares to Hakko, apart from the Pace I briefly used when I was working for a former employer - these are from another league, though... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Do939kekl Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 Thanks for all your comments, these are all very useful, I'll take a look (tried to reply yesterday but site wouldn't allow me). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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