Good starter solder iron

[Baisley101]

Getting ready to order my first crawler kit and I assume I'll have to do a little soldering. Whats a good starter solder iron. Also what style tip and wattage do I need to be looking for? Thanks everyone

 

[jvella]

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/tools-procedures/342075-soldering-station.html?highlight=solder+iron

 

[hoghead5150]

you can get cheap radio shack stype solder irons and they will work but not really well. it's alot easier to solder with good equipment. the best route is to buy a good soldering station with adjustable heat. i use the Hakko fx-888. great equipment and under $100.

 

[Chi Town]

I run a radio shack digital soldering station. Have had it for 2 years and not a single problem. You can spend a lot more on a hako, but I have no issues with this one and it is a decent price.

Digital Soldering Station : Soldering tools & supplies | RadioShack.com

 

[Baisley101]

Thanks guys. I'm just getting started in the hobby but I do want good tools.

 

[MaD222]

not sure if you have a "the source" around.....but i picked up a nextech 60 watt pencil with dial heat control, was very sceptical, but it is VERY impressive, cost me $20.00 with a spool of 1.2mm 60/40

 

[crawlHTX]

I picked up a Weller WLC100 soldering station from FRYs for just $40. I love it for the rc stuff, works great. Variable watts up to 40--plenty of power for rc things (too much can be damaging). In fact, FRYs even gave me a $10 rebate.

Here's a link with some specs on it. Catalog No. WLC100 Product Detail

Most stations will come with a decent universal tip, but I would reccomend picking up an extra "fine" tip for the small jobs such as electronic board repair, etc.

 

[stanmondz]

if they ever get em back in stock, ill have one of these, its a hakko 936 knockoff
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Soldering Station with Adjustable Heat Range (USA Warehouse)

 

[TheREDCAT]

I started off and am still using Harbor Freights 30 watt soldering iron. It is only like $5 and I haven't found something I couldn't solder. It's not great but it works for me ;-)

 

[Crawler King69]

I have this one at work and have been using it for over 20 years so I know its good.Blue Point Cordless Butane Soldering Iron Kit YAK10 | eBay

Just got one of these from snap on for my rc stuff. Best part about these are you can take it anyplace. Didn't pay what this crack head is wanting though. Off the truck was $160.SNAP ON BUTANE GAS SOLDERING AUTO IGNITION IRON KIT.25-130 WATT.NEW | eBay

 

[some87]

if your looking for something cheap like around $20 get a weller 80watt iron. mine is at least 8 years old and works great still even on the same tip that came with it. if you got at least $120 get a hakko soldering station. those are imo some of the best soldering stations you can get.

 

[fred0000]

if they ever get em back in stock, ill have one of these, its a hakko 936 knockoff
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Soldering Station with Adjustable Heat Range (USA Warehouse)

I just snagged one off of eBay, would have cost me the same or more after shipping on hobbyking. I like to call it a HAKLONE

(quoted from another forum i'm on)

pretty excited for this. i've been putting off buying a soldering station for just over 2 years now, I kept telling myself that the iron I have works fine, (it does, and I can solder VERY well with it) but for how much i'm into the hobby something a little bit nicer would be pretty awesome. (current iron is a $8 60watt hobbico)
I got this HAKKO 936C clone off of eBay for $48 shipped to my door, not to bad (hobbyking has the same one in their AUS and USA warehouses, just never been in stock)

mine arived today, very pleased, reaches max heat in under a minute, just one gripe, the included soldering iron tip is to small, it'll do for some jobs but plugs and connectors i'd like something bigger, I ordered a variety 10 pack of tips off of eBay for just under $6 shipped. (search HAKKO 907 tips)

you don't need a soldering station at all to get going, I have been using a $8 hobbico 60watt irion for 3 years now with no complaints, practice will pay off much much more then a high $$ soldering setup "thumbsup"

 

[Baisley101]

Thanks guys. I'll probably start with an iron and practice before buying a station. Hopefully I won't have to use one alot.