Soldering station

[Allan1875]

I used an LRP soldering station for the first time this weekend and this was a revelation to me.

They are a bit pricey but I have done a bit looking on Google and seen people talking about Hakko soldering stations and these seem priced a lot better.

Does anyone on here own one that they can recommend that isn't astronomical in price?

[D20MCK]

Hakko FX-888D is what you want Allan

[Ashlandchris]

Just bought a solder station from Maplins and it is superb. Was £40

[cutting42]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

I used an LRP soldering station for the first time this weekend and this was a revelation to me.

They are a bit pricey but I have done a bit looking on Google and seen people talking about Hakko soldering stations and these seem priced a lot better.

Does anyone on here own one that they can recommend that isn't astronomical in price?

You can have the LRP in its Quick 202D version for £98 +VAT. I have one as do 2 other of my mates, superb! Also PMTech are an awesome company to deal with.

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/quick-202d-e...g-station.html

[Allan1875]

Cheers lads, appreciate the replies.

[Allan1875]

Can anyone tell me which of these is the 5mm tip that you get for the LRP station?

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/consumables/...03b-irons.html

It can surely only be 303-5C or 303-5CF? I don't want to order the wrong one. Any advice appreciated.

[HOTSHOT III]

Originally Posted by Ashlandchris

Just bought a solder station from Maplins and it is superb. Was £40

I have one of these as well (with the different sized tips?) and it's great.

Only other thing i'd say is i've had even better results using a moistened brillo pad stuffed into a jam jar lid, it's a lot more effective for cleaning the iron than the poxy bit of sponge you get with the soldering station.

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by HOTSHOT III

I have one of these as well (with the different sized tips?) and it's great.

Only other thing i'd say is i've had even better results using a moistened brillo pad stuffed into a jam jar lid, it's a lot more effective for cleaning the iron than the poxy bit of sponge you get with the soldering station.

I use a little springy copper wool type malarkey to clean my tip and it is great. The little sponge is OK, but doesn't really clean the tip

[Allan1875]

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?

I find the sponge cleans the tip up perfectly.

[HOTSHOT III]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?

I find the sponge cleans the tip up perfectly.

To be fair the sponge works well enough, I was just very surprised the 1st time I used a brillo pad in the manner I described how much more consistent it was at cleaning the tip over the duration of a long soldering job. You don't have to go and rinse it every few joints and because it's a little bit abrasive it makes it really shiny every time.

[cutting42]

Originally Posted by HOTSHOT III

To be fair the sponge works well enough, I was just very surprised the 1st time I used a brillo pad in the manner I described how much more consistent it was at cleaning the tip over the duration of a long soldering job. You don't have to go and rinse it every few joints and because it's a little bit abrasive it makes it really shiny every time.

It is good if the tip is really grungy but if you wipe and tin every use, you should not need to do this, the wetted sponge will be fine. Brillo also wears the tip much faster.

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?.

By pure luck I only ever do soldering when I'm in the bath so my sponge is always wet

[Allan1875]

Originally Posted by Ashlandchris

By pure luck I only ever do soldering when I'm in the bath so my sponge is always wet

[trax de max]

if the tips getting a bit abused this is a handy item. Click

[CHEVY]

I use gas iron ie iroda or gascat 120 no problem and no need for mains

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by CHEVY

I use gas iron ie iroda or gascat 120 no problem and no need for mains

I also have a gas iron for track work, but the maplins station is infinitely better for tidy joints

[Chequered Flag Racing]

Core RC Iron £16.50 ish. 12v and ideal for pit box
http://www.racing-cars.com/pp/Manufa..._RC/CR195.html

[Allan1875]

Originally Posted by cutting42

You can have the LRP in its Quick 202D version for £98 +VAT. I have one as do 2 other of my mates, superb! Also PMTech are an awesome company to deal with.

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/quick-202d-e...g-station.html

This arrived yesterday, absolutely magic! What temperature do you use as I think 480 isn't required for everthing. I went with 350 for doing motors etc as it seemed fine.

Actually loving it. Bit of a unit to cart about with you but really is a quality piece of kit.

[cutting42]

Outstanding! I use 350 as well, seems to work for most stuff. You only need the real hot temps for lead free soldering which you shouldn't need to do.