There is a wide swath of price & quality out there.
True value plays out over the long term. How about the LAB veterans share info regarding manufacturers with easy to find, reasonable-cost iron tips? How to max out tip life?
Better yet: How does one use & maintain that "first iron" for XLR & similar use?
Hi Jim;
I own, and still use regularly, a Weller from prior to 1977.
I can't tell you model at the moment as I've left it on a job site over night.
It's thermostatically controlled at 700 degrees but not variable temperature.
I only ever use one tip, a conical, and I get approximately 10 years out of tip.
'Secrets' of longevity:
Always keep the sponge wet.
Always wipe the tip and apply a little fresh solder when about to use; not a lot, we're not carrying solder to the work here, only a little to keep the freshly wiped tip from oxidizing.
Whenever I'm setting the iron down for a few minutes or an hour, I wipe the tip and apply a liberal amount of solder to keep the tip tinned and protected.
I know I purchased it prior to '77 as I moved to a different city and it went with me.
I think I may have purchased it in the early 70's while still working in broadcast.
In all these years I only recall having replaced the heating element once.
Normally I'm soldering connectors and through-hole boards, these days I fudge the odd bit of SMT.
When dealing with a conical, round, tip against a round wire you're bringing together two round surfaces and thus have a very small point of contact to transfer heat. Having a touch of fresh solder on the tip effectively increases the contact, heat transfer, area.
In general, heat from below touch solder to the top, get in / get out, don't move 'til set.
As with most things, you get what you pay for.
I'm still using Klein cutters from my apprenticeship in '67.
Cheap tools learn to walk at an early age just like good tools.
If you're not of the mindset to keep track of your tools you can lose a lot of money.
Season's Best!
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard