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Thread: Soldering Irons

  1. #11
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  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Synce View Post
    Just out of curiousity, what type of soldering irons do you guys use?

    Hexacon, best iron I've ever had. Last calibrated, 20 years ago!

    I've owned it for probably 10 or 12 years I'd guess, and have never had to replace the tip, though to be honest, lately the tip has started to break down a bit. So I'll be ordering a replacement for this 20+ year old iron.
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  3. #13
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    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
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    Hexacon rocks, Second choice for me would be metcal.

    I have a ancient Hexacon I picked up at a hamfest, has been with me 15+ years, and I'm only now thinking about getting a new tip. Thats unheard of with other irons. Temperature control makes all the difference in the world. So does having the right solder, in my case, 60/40 tin lead with a RMA flux core. (rosin, mildly activated) Get Kester solder. Most hardware store solder is a mistake these days for electronics. Lead free solder is a disaster. Small diameter solder is more controllable then large diameter, and a damp sponge pad to wipe the tip on is a good thing.

    Steve
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  4. #14
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    Default Soldering irons.

    I have two metcals and two Wellers,one fixed and one adjustable.
    the Metcals ive been using for 15 years & the wellers even longer.
    Wellers are durable, long lasting & almost indestructible.
    Metcals are the caddilacs of soldering irons, many exotic tip styles and rework options. I prefer the Metcals for fine pitch & microscope work. the only thing with Metcals is that the tips burn out sooner & they are kinda expensive to replace. tho they do go to an idle state after about 5~10 minutes so they arent full on running all the time.
    just my 2 cents
    Will there be three phase!!!!

  5. #15
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    I use a Weller adjustable station with ceramic tips.

    Deffo agree about the lead free, horrible stuff, it behaves live whipped cream, doesn't flow very well and leaves peaks when you lift the iron.
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  6. #16
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