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[Bob Leonard]

Looking for recommendations for a Soldering Station.

I will only use it 2-4 Hours per week, Mostly repair work and making cables.

Cost is a factor, But so is reliability.

Regards,  John

I have a few Weller stations and at least two of them are over 20 years old. Get a Weller. Even the cheapest station (not iron) will last almost forever and do a good job for you. You should also buy a 100 watt iron for those jobns where you need to solder to a chassis, back of a pot, etc.. And make sure the station has a sponge holder for cleaning the tip.
 
 

[Todd Black]

I use an Xytronic 168 and have been quite pleased. It sees heavy use, and ive been on the same tip since I bought the station in 2003.

[Dave Barnett]

I'll join the chorus recommending the Hakko 936.

[Steve Anderson]

Looking for recommendations for a Soldering Station.

I will only use it 2-4 Hours per week, Mostly repair work and making cables.

Cost is a factor, But so is reliability.

Regards,  John

I have a few Weller stations and at least two of them are over 20 years old. Get a Weller. Even the cheapest station (not iron) will last almost forever and do a good job for you. You should also buy a 100 watt iron for those jobns where you need to solder to a chassis, back of a pot, etc.. And make sure the station has a sponge holder for cleaning the tip.

My Hakko 936 is pushing 15 years and has done a heap of work. My +1

Seems you can't go wrong with a Weller or Hakko, but yes go the sponge holder stand

[Weogo Reed]

Hi Y'all,

Here's another choice   -  the Goot PX-201.
 http://www.goot.co.jp/e/detail.html

70 watts, gets hot pretty quickly, has thermostatic temperature control, lots of tips available.
Cool feature for quick use on the go is after you let it cool off for just a short while, you can screw the protective cover over the tip and toss the whole thing in the tool box.
In the shop I plug it into a powerstrip to have an on/off switch.


I also got a Xytronic 460A Soldering tip cleaner and stand.
This has a Brass wool pad for tip cleaning.  Works well and doesn't temperature-shock the tip like a wet sponge does.

Got them both from HowardElectronics.com.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
 

[Chris Dobson]

Metcal SmartHeat

[Ryan Peacher]

+2

I love mine and it has worked fantastically for the past 4 years I have had it. 

Tip recommendations (independent of what brand you go for):
1. Large chisel tip
2. Medium conical tip
3. Extra Small conical tip

Those three should get pretty much any job done, unless you plan on doing circuit boards, etc.

Another brand not yet mentioned is MetCal.  Pricey, for sure, but very nice and dependable.

+3 for the Hakko 936...

Bought my main station at Skycraft for dirt cheap, and ordered the element & tip off ebay...

[ProSoundWeb Community]