Soldering Iron

[BlazerBud]

mcmelectronics.com is the place to buy electronics stuff, it's cheap.

Just get a Tenma station for like $30 to $40 on sale, that's all you need. And always keep the butane one with you in case you have to interrogate someone and there is no electricity.

 

[Cowboy_80]

I'm all about a PACE station. I have used and abused them over the years. We had a couple of the coldheat irons but they sucked. Wouldn't get hot enough to build 213 cable. I got a little radio shack butane guy that's pretty cool. Light it like a lighter. It's worked great for me as well, but I try to keep it for field repairs. If I have a bench available I opt for the PACE.

 

[ThaMule]

Ok.....I ended up buying a Pace station st-25...after that and the tips with wire and flux it was 260 shipped. I hope I like it. If not I'll be sure to list it on here for sale at a lil discount!

 

[surpip]

i bought a cold heat as well, i thought it was junk, but it actually worked pretty good

 

[BGKYK5]

I have one too. Mine lasted a total of 5 minutes before i broke the tip. It never really worked right for me either

My coldheat sucked too.

I don't solder a lot at work, but when I do it is nice to have a good station. I have another el-cheapo $10 standard iron at home that is just as useless as my coldheat. I'd like to get something like this one day:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Solder...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1202502756&sr=1-1

I just need to make sure 40W will be enough.

 

[pvfjr]

My coldheat sucked too.

I don't solder a lot at work, but when I do it is nice to have a good station. I have another el-cheapo $10 standard iron at home that is just as useless as my coldheat. I'd like to get something like this one day:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Solder...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1202502756&sr=1-1

I just need to make sure 40W will be enough.

That's the same one I've got. Does great for most things. Can't do a set of battery cables with it, but I've done 8 gauge no problem, 4 is asking a lot though. I can always use the torch if I need something big done. I usually throw it in the toolbox when I go wheeling, and hook it to the inverter if I need it. It's come to the rescue on a trail before, with an in-tank fuel pump wiring fix. I've had mine since I was around 16 I think, served me well.

 

[BGKYK5]

Good to know. I wouldn't have expected it to do any bigger than 10-12 gauge. It is now officially on my shopping list.