Good soldering iron

[only one haze]

Hey guys! Looking to get a new soldering iron. Tossed mine a while back, but getting the itch to get a couple more Xboxes. My old one was a piece of junk from Radioshack. Any particular ones to check out? What wattage would you recommend for these types of jobs? Not looking to spend a bunch, but want something pretty good. Thanks!

[Xphazer]

Make your self a favour and leave the Chinese crap alone... I deeply regretted to buy one..
A nice hakko like this one is really the way to go.. parts will be available for years, and unlike those Chineese crap.. All tips model are available.

http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?CID= ... 800&Page=1

[AZImmortal]

I have the same iron. Great choice.

[whufclee]

If you're on a budget then a couple of people on the old forum recommended this one to me
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html

The link above is for US, I'm in UK and got mine from the same company but their UK branch. They don't seem to do the same one on the UK site anymore but they do have a 60w one which I presume is the newer model?
http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/solder ... on-station

[professor_jonny]

only problem with my hakko is that when the element failed (from going off to boarding school and leaving it on for a whole term) is i had to buy a cheap iron to replace the element as it was soldered in which i thaught was a bit silly.
i have had mine for well over 10 years a hakko 926 and it has been great isoldering station.

[asbo]

If you're on a budget then a couple of people on the old forum recommended this one to me
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html

The link above is for US, I'm in UK and got mine from the same company but their UK branch. They don't seem to do the same one on the UK site anymore but they do have a 60w one which I presume is the newer model?
http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/solder ... on-station

I was the recommender Mines still going strong. Not had to replace the element yet and it came with a spare. I think, when I did research before I bought it, I found that the tips are "standard" in that they're compatible with the big brand names, i.e. Weller etc.

only problem with my hakko is that when the element failed (from going off to boarding school and leaving it on for a whole term)

[only one haze]

If you're on a budget then a couple of people on the old forum recommended this one to me
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-station1a.html

The link above is for US, I'm in UK and got mine from the same company but their UK branch. They don't seem to do the same one on the UK site anymore but they do have a 60w one which I presume is the newer model?
http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/solder ... on-station

Yes, this is more in line with what I was looking for. Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

[BuZz]

Think I might get one of those too!

[xman]

Think I might get one of those too!

Ow dear, this could be bad..LOL

[BuZz]

yeh Although I'm hoping a better soldering iron (to be honest, mine is rather crap), will help me to improve my hardware skills!

[whufclee]

That was my thinking too... turns out I'm still as useless as ever though

[asbo]

Practice my friends, practice!
Also don't forget to breathe in the yummy fumes

[AZImmortal]

Practice is definitely needed to become comfortable with soldering, and using a good soldering iron makes a big difference whether you're experienced or not.

[sakamoto]

you can buy those little exercise packs which contain a board with some leds and resistors to test a quality 15watt soldering iron with removable tip is more than sufficient - there is really no need to buy a soldering station. I even jtag'ed 360s with a simple 15watt soldering iron!

[BuZz]

I bought this one in the end - http://www.circuitspecialists.eu/solder ... tation3dlf

[asbo]

Ooooh LCD screen, fancy

Happy soldering to you!

[xman]

Looks pretty good. You should be knocking out RAM upgrades in no time. I think you will be surprised just how many jobs come around that you will now attempt knowing you have a good iron handy to make the job easier. A good iron pays for itself over a long time and you only really miss them when they are gone. Money well spent I believe BuZz. You need any "Hits" you make sure you ask aye. There are many "Tricks Of The Trade" to make the impossible a reality.

[sakamoto]

not to be offensive - but why do you consider this a good iron?

[asbo]

not to be offensive - but why do you consider this a good iron?

Well I suppose we don't really know, but I have a similar model from the same company that I use for SMD, through hole and 230v mains work. It came with a spare element which I haven't had to use yet, there's a wide range of tips available and you can remove the iron from the station and replace it should you ever need to.
No doubt there are better ones out there but considering the price mine was a bargain.

Of course the proof is in the pudding as they say, so we'll have to wait and see if this new model is as good.

[xman]

not to be offensive - but why do you consider this a good iron?

Good question. I have not used this brand myself but I am aware of BuZz's old soldering iron. Believe me, this is outstanding in comparison.