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| Soldering iron recommendations |
Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-03-03 19:05:41
I’ve still got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/SOLDER-STATION-40W-120V-ST3/dp/B000AS28UC
Got it as a starter iron back in 2019(?) and learned to solder on it. I’m sure there’s a lot better stuff out there but this one works well enough that I haven’t felt the need to get a new one, instead I’ve just expanded my tool library.
Got a Hakko FR-301 desoldering gun, works well I’d say. Hard to create any tool that does well on P4 motherboard ground planes…
The hot air station I’ve got is a Quick 861DW I believe. It’s remarkably quiet! Haven’t used it that much but it seems to be pretty high quality, works great the couple times I’ve needed it since getting it a couple months ago. |
Posted by: jeremywork on 2023-03-04 00:42:29
I bought one of these in 2020 and I've been happy with it.
The heat seems pretty consistent and it doesn't take long to reach operating temp. I haven't done very fancy things with it, but swapping capacitors, diodes, etc became much easier once I had it. |
Posted by: robin-fo on 2023-03-04 00:56:23
I use an ERSA i-CON PICO which is compact and surprisingly powerful |
Posted by: Nixontheknight on 2023-03-04 08:48:38
Any favorites? Looking for something smaller of course and what is the recommended wattage for logic board work? I prefer the pinecil, it's small, but works really well if you don't do a lot of soldering, like me |
Posted by: smrieck511 on 2024-03-28 16:45:46
Well I loved this Pinecil for a year and suddenly it doesnt detect the tip anymore? anyone ever seen this problem or know how to fix it? |
Posted by: Unknown_K on 2024-03-28 18:07:33
Does the thing come apart? I would guess the temp sensor is nonfunctional (it is a temp controlled iron correct?) or the heater is broken. |
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2024-03-28 18:27:11
Well I loved this Pinecil for a year and suddenly it doesnt detect the tip anymore? anyone ever seen this problem or know how to fix it? hmm, have you tried removing the tip and re-inserting it? |
Posted by: smrieck511 on 2024-03-29 12:08:42
yeah, it does come apart and I've tightened the contacts and cleaned up everything. Re-inserted the tips several times.… No dice. |
Posted by: Nixontheknight on 2024-03-30 09:24:03
yeah, it does come apart and I've tightened the contacts and cleaned up everything. Re-inserted the tips several times.… No dice. try using deoxit on the contacts on the iron and tip |
Posted by: smrieck511 on 2024-03-30 10:56:25
try using deoxit on the contacts on the iron and tip yeah, I tried deoxit… Still nothing |
Posted by: Nixontheknight on 2024-03-30 15:26:44
yeah, I tried deoxit… Still nothing then maybe something disconnected internally in the tip, try buying new tips |
Posted by: smrieck511 on 2024-05-09 07:12:30
I know this sounds weird, but I think I figured out what I've been doing wrong with the Pinecil...
I have two dead tips. The iron itself is fine.
The tips stop working shortly after I clean them using fine grit sandpaper which I know sounds stupid, but I've done stupider things…
Not sure why this would happen, but it can't be a coincidence that two tips went bad right after doing this. Thankfully, they're pretty cheap to replace. |
Posted by: MacUp72 on 2024-05-09 23:23:27
I currently have 4 different irons but still not what I'm looking for..have a cheap adjustable Conrad station, Ersa Multitip (fixed temp), a cheaper adjustable and a chinese adjustable but it doesnt hold the temp very good. On YT many use the pinecil and it looks fine, but its about 100 bucks here in euro land.. |
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