Which Soldiering Gun

[Nightowlz1966]

Just wanted to get some input in which soldiering setup/gun people are using and how well they like them.
I am new to trying to soldier my own circuits but I don't want to go the cheap route and regret what I bought
to work with in the future.

[RJ]

I use this:
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For the price you can't beat it!
It's is not a cheap station, its a good station cheap!

RJ

[TheBanker]

I use this one.  I use the hot air not only for desoldering but for heatshrink.  It can also do surface mount.  The service from these is awesome.

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[mkozik1]

Will,

Have seen the hot air feature in a couple of posts here.  I have never heard of that when soldering, can you elaborate a little as to how this differs from an iron?

[rrawlings]

The hot air feature is primarily for surface mount work both assembly and rework. 

[TheBanker]

Yes what rrawlings said.  You can use the hot air to desolder work that needs to be replaced but it is primarly for surface mount work.  I mainly  have it instead of buying a heat gun too for heat shrink.  Desoldering may be easier with a desolder pump.  I don't have one of those either.  The hot air will melt solder on more than one joint.

[mkozik1]

Gotcha - Thanks guys for the explanation.

[Nightowlz1966]

NIce very nice
Keep the comments coming so I can make a GOOD educated choice
 

[taybrynn]

I don't use lead free solder, but this station has been great.  Its ready to go in 10 seconds every time.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

[rrawlings]

I don't use lead free solder, but this station has been great.  Its ready to go in 10 seconds every time.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

This station appears to use the same technology as Metcal does in their stations.  I have never been happier with a solder station than I have with a Metcal.  If this is anywhere close to the capabilities of Metcal this would be great.

[taybrynn]

Interesting.

The one I got uses tips that are full length, so you just remove the entire tip and core without having to loosen any screws or anything first.  They are a little costly and seem like that have gone up in price, but the tip I've been using, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, seems to be going strong and I build a ton of kits in 2011 with it.  But the part I like best is the digital readout and the ability to be ready to solder in seconds.

[bisquit476]

I use the WESD51 from Weller, they make a non digital one as well, I've included both here

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What I like about this station is the availability of a large group of tips. With that being said, I have not had to replace a single tip unless I was changing sizes,

Bill

[Nightowlz1966]

I use this:
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For the price you can't beat it!
It's is not a cheap station, its a good station cheap!

RJ

Hey RJ
I like the fact that they owner of the site was the first one to post on this particular topic.
How long have you been using this unit RJ?  It looks like a very promising unit for the price.

[Nightowlz1966]

I use this one.  I use the hot air not only for desoldering but for heatshrink.  It can also do surface mount.  The service from these is awesome.

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Hey Banker

I liked the unit that RJ had posted about, but I must say I like this one too, How long have you been using this unit?
I like the Hot Air option as I am in Heating & Air and use a good big of heat shrink...

[RJ]

About three years and hundreds of pcbs ago.

RJ