A really low-buck solder station

[ThomasW]

Almost identical to the Hakko, but for a measley $35.

Get um while they're hot .... :wink:

http://www.web-tronics.com/cispdeesdsas.html

[Hank]

Thanks Thomas, I'll order one today Good find! :T

[denverdoc]

Thomas,

Thanks as well, also posted order,
J

[Brian Bunge]

Anyone have any clue if this could be used for soldering stained glass? If so, I'll order 2; one for me and one for my wife.

[ThomasW]

Brian,

These probably don't run hot enough for stained glass. My understanding is that irons used for stained glass typically run at 1000+ degrees

[mante]

stained glass

Hi Brian

"Anyone have any clue if this could be used for soldering stained glass? If so, I'll order 2; one for me and one for my wife".

Finally, a topic I may know something about. I've made a lot of Tiffany reproduction lamps and may be able to assist. This soldering iron is hot enough, I question whether it has enough wattage to remain hot. Forty watts isn't much power for stained glass work. I really boils down to how much soldering your wife does at one time, and what type of solder she is using. She will probably be fine if she is foiling and soldering a few pieces at a time. The solder flow will slow down if she will be soldering onto brass or zinc, or finishing a thousand piece lamp at once. 8O

$35 for a soldering station is pretty inexpensive in the "hobby business."

Craig

[Brian Bunge]

Craig,

Thanks for the info. My wife just started taking classes about a month ago and will probably be learning to solder today. I'll probably just get the one for me and get something different for my wife.

Thanks again.

[mante]

share one

Hi Brian,

You may want to consider adding the 3.2 mm Chisel tip (or larger if you can find one) to your order. Your wife will need that type of tip for stained glass work and can at least try your station to see if it works. Your wife could also take the print out of the station to her instructor for advice. My guess is one unit, with each of you having your own tips, will suffice. Feel free to pm if either of you have any additional questions about stained glass.

Craig

[Brian Bunge]

Craig,

Thanks again. I'll do that.

[Hank]

Hi Brian, I got into stained glass several years ago - good hobby and if your wife is creative and can market, she can bring in some money. That iron woulnd't be a good choice. Stained glass supplys/catalogs/on-line sell beefy irons for lead caming work. Or, a solder gun is hefty enough.
Post some pics of her work someday.

[Paul Ebert]

You get what you pay for...

I received my soldering station today and it's a bit of a dissappointment. Specifically, the holder looks quite different from the one shown on the web page. Instead of the thick yoke around where the iron goes in, there are two small arms that arc up to form an incomplete circle. Then, there is a stamped tab that is bent up to catch the tip. Overall, functional, but rather flimsy compared to what is shown. Also, the 'sponge' is a joke. It's about 2 millimeters thick.

The holder also has a plastic rod that appears to go in two semi-circles on the top. I'm not sure what that is for. Any ideas?

Assuming it works OK, I probably will not return it, but I'm less than pleased. So, be advized...

On second thought, the holder really does not provide much shielding of the hot iron to safeguard against burns or other accidents. Nor is it very heavy to keep it from being knocked over. It is really just stamped steel. I'll have to think about it. Perhaps I will return it.

Paul Ebert

[ThomasW]

Thanks for the heads up....

You can buy separate stands designed to hold one piece standard soldering irons. PE has one for a little over $5, p/n 370-350. Also I think Radio Shack has something similar.

Another option is the Weller WLC100 solder station there are $13 rebates on these now

[PMazz]

The holder also has a plastic rod that appears to go in two semi-circles on the top. I'm not sure what that is for. Any ideas?

Sounds like wire management.

Pete

[denverdoc]

...

Assuming it works OK, I probably will not return it, but I'm less than pleased. So, be advized...

On second thought, the holder really does not provide much shielding of the hot iron to safeguard against burns or other accidents. Nor is it very heavy to keep it from being knocked over. It is really just stamped steel. I'll have to think about it. Perhaps I will return it.

Paul Ebert

Paul,
Let me know if you keep it, I have yet to open mine, and after hearing the description, not sure I want to keep it--just an impulse buy after losing auctions on e-bay too many times to count for the real thing. But not crazy about the hassle of a return either,
John

[ThomasW]

Here's the $90 Hakko station



HERE'S a bigger pic of the one being talked about in this thread.

They look identical to me ...... :wink:

[denverdoc]

Thomas,
Are you blind--the Hakko sponge clearly extends well beyond its well! Even after inflating ole Sponge Bob on my unit, as in the photo, his dimensions clearly disappointed, but may explain why he is suffering from an identity crisis--some hint he may be even gay.
J

[ThomasW]

Are you blind--

Oops, my obvious bad......no wonder the Hakko unit costs $90... :wink:

[Paul Ebert]

When I discovered that the holder was not as good as the one in the picture, I sent an email to Circuit Specialists expressing my dissappointment. I did not receive a reply from them, but I did get a tracking notice that a 2 lb. package from them is heading my way. So, I wanted to let you all know that, perhaps, the situation will be resolved.

I'll keep you posted (the package is due to arrive next Wednesday).

Either way, I plan to keep the unit. I will replace the "sponge" and add some stability to the holder somehow.

Paul

[ThomasW]

Paul,

We're all curious to see what's in the box..... :wink:

[Lex]

This is what I use: But I don't keep my iron in this recepticle. I have a professional grade desktop model I use.

http://www.xytronic.com/pi/168.htm

however, if I was going to do stained glass, either copper foil or lead came work, I would not use this iron. I'd use a much heavier duty iron from Hakko that I own.

Lex

[denverdoc]

Either way, I plan to keep the unit. I will replace the "sponge" and add some stability to the holder somehow.

Paul

Have you even tried adding water to the sponge--its like those bathroom toys that inflate to about 5x their dessicated size. Wish my spongiform tissue could do the same.
John

[Paul Ebert]

So, I arrive home today having passed the UPS man on my street. Yep, a box has arrived. No, it's not the records I'm expecting, but the box from Circuit Specialists (I had kinda forgot...).

In the box I find the holder pictured in the website. It is a good bit heavier than the one originally sent. So, I'm quite pleased.

Paul

[Brian Bunge]

I just ordered one of these yesterday evening. It should be arriving on the 29th, so I'll let you guys know what I think once it gets here!

[Cowanrg]

ill put in my 2 cents for the hakko stations. i have a hakko 939 and its pretty nice. its VERY nice in fact.

http://www.saletek.com/store/category.php?CategoryID=1014

look around locally for business closing down. i got mine for $45 and it was basically new. it looked like it had never been used.

[Brian Bunge]

Well, my new solder station arrived today and I gotta tell you I'm pretty impressed with it. It looks just like the unit and the picture and it seems to be well built. I've got a small amp mod to do in the next few days and will let you guys know what I think of it.

[SteveSlagle]

Thomas W & others,

I appreicate your tips on this. Like Brian's, my unit is just like the pics. It worked really well as I started my 1st amp project, and I am a total beginner. Their amp cases were also very reasonably priced compared to ParMetal & others. As I haven't seen the other cases, I can't compare build quality, but I will say I am planning to order another one for my next project.

This is my first post here as I'm new to DIY audio as a hobby; yet I have already lined enough projects to last me the rest of the year.... I think many on this board have done the same thing....

:T