Soldering iron recommendations

[Seadog]

There are lots of suppliers of silicone cable, just look on the web. I replaced my Antex one several years ago.

 

[Mart63]

I have the Yihua 937D and also a T12. Both of these have been excellent. I slightly prefer the T12 because of the super fast heat up time and the large selection of cheap tips available.

 

[Smallfry]

I have a Parkside one from Lidl, and my gripe with it, is that the lead is way too stiff, so when you try to use it, the station is dragged around, and its really, really annoying. They need a nice flexible rubber lead.

Also got a 100 watt Weller gun. Must have had that 40 plus years !

And these. No such problems. Although I don't know of much use for them nowadays

 

[Nomad]

Is that a base station type?

I do have quite a few 18v Makita batteries still, I'm just a bit of a luddite with stuff and forget how far battery stuff has come.

I use Makita 18v batteries and picked up a clone / Fakita soldering iron - it's now my preferred iron. (Search - I did a mini review)
Temp controlled, quick heat up, portable with a decent soft lead so it's easy to get where you need it.
Recommend you look at them, well worth considering.

 

[Kayos]

I use Makita 18v batteries and picked up a clone / Fakita soldering iron - it's now my preferred iron. (Search - I did a mini review)
Temp controlled, quick heat up, portable with a decent soft lead so it's easy to get where you need it.
Recommend you look at them, well worth considering.

I have one now

 

[Kayos]

Received from a forum member today

Untested but appears in good condition, must have been on a bench as the sides and bottom are like new. It's also refreshing to have a proper weighted base

 

[Red'n'Black]

Received from a forum member today

Untested but appears in good condition, must have been on a bench as the sides and bottom are like new. It's also refreshing to have a proper weighted base

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Those were standard issue when I worked in the repair trade, 30 odd years ago. Tough as old boots. The elements do go sometimes, but that was with them in use 40 hours a week.

At work we went over to Metcal as there weren't any TCP tips small enough for 0.5mm pitch IC pins. For through-hole parts they're fine.

I was impressed enough with the Metcal SP200 I bought one on eBay for home use as well. No problems so far.