I need a soldering iron

uglymusic

Not immediately, but sometime along the way, I will.

Can someone who knows post a link or two to what they'd recommend I buy, please?

Thanks chaps (and chapesses)!

Alan

I bought a temperature controlled soldering station on ebay, a cheap one for occasional use. I recently took it along to an event I was helping with (to make cables or whatever) and it failed its PAT test, despite having very little use!

The electrician who tested it for me recommended a gas iron from Maplin, as it was only for cable making etc, not PCBs.

uglymusic

That's what you get for buying from fleaBay ;-)

Anyone got any links to specific products? 

RobHolt

Dave, I use one of these and it does most jobs perfectly:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/60w-professional-lcd-solder-station-with-esd-protection-511927

It's on special offer at the moment. I paid £60 for mine three months ago.

Grab a set of spare tips.

If you just want something for occasional use I'd go for the standard Antex 25w iron:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/25w-soldering-iron-type-xs-4063

I've got one and it's nearly as old as me, but works better!

uglymusic

Fantastic! Thanks Rob

PAC

Look at Maplins Dave.  The one I use professionally was initially bought as a back-up for a Weller but has failed to die.  It just goes on and on.  Its one of the Maplins solder stations (digital controlled temperature) which keeps very accurate temperature.  It cost around £60 or £70 so is a steal for what it is.  Thoroughly recommended.  250 pairs of interconnects can't be wrong!

uglymusic

Thanks Paul.

Two votes for Maplins, then. I'll be going in there later for a look.

Brain_Dead

Hi Paul we had a few of the Maplin ones all died, the Weller we use now are much better but costs lots.

If you can uses a mains powered not isolated type and for small job how about the Antex 15W about £25.

Maplin.co.uk will save you a drive Dave.

Oh just a add on try CPC.co.uk basically a Farnell company and they do have bargains at times. No Blondes pity. 

uglymusic

Thanks Col

There's a Maplins in central Worthing, just round the corner from where I am at the moment. 

I'm going to have a look on the way home.

Brain_Dead

I would still get lost. To many buildings,

From CPC

http://cpc.farnell.com/antex/s58j470/xs25-w-230v-iron-silicone-lead/dp/AN00018

@ about £20 + PP

We use this for UB and Graphite.

http://cpc.farnell.com/dewalt/d26414-lx/heat-gun-lcd-110v/dp/TL14757?in_merch=Products%20From%20This%20Range

uglymusic

Thanks Col

Maplins didn't have anything suitable in stock.