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    #1

    Need to get some non-crap.

    My crappy Weller soldering iron needs a new tip. Rather than get a new tip, I'm thinking of getting this:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLDERING-ST...item58840c4dcf

    Also, I could use a real DMM:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-Digital-...item2c590fbf62

    Yes they are cheap, but a huge upgrade from what I have (Analog Multimeter and a messed up cheapo Weller iron that has way too high of a temp and kills solder lol)

    And I need some solder of course:
    Is this one suitable?
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1-6mm-60...item3cbdf53b5d

    And a solder sucker:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLDER-SUCKE...item19bc09d66e

    Any of these a big no-no or you know of a better item for a better price? Thanks!
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Need to get some non-crap.

    Oh man wtf, you're in US ... why would you want to get from Hong Kong solder wire when you have Digikey or other stores there?

    You can get the Hakko FX888 for 85$ ... it's a bit more expensive but worth it, as you'd also be able to get compatible tips easily and cheap:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M3U0VU...J4MDN3WY04WPH&

    If you want to spend less, you have two good clones on Amazon, the first one I think accepts Hakko tips the second I'm not sure. But both should be fine:

    50$ : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I30QBW...35X1R4FF0JE4J&

    40$ : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VINMRO...F6DFEB2NSA4M1&

    Should get cheap solder suckers from Amazon as well, I won't even bother searching for you... combining shipping, it won't cost you more than a few dollars.

    As for solder wire, I'd recommend going for a thinner wire, that one at 1.6mm is very thick for most purposes.
    You need to pick something based on :

    1. Sn/Pb ratio

    60/40 is most common but it's not euctetic, meaning it will stay liquid for longer time, which may not be useful sometimes. 63/37 is better in my opinion - it turns liquid at slightly lower temperature and turns solid seconds after you remove the tip.

    2. Flux type and quantity

    Should get solder wire with at least 2% flux core, as this way you won't have to use separate flux a lot. Ideally, you'd get multicore solder, which has that 2% of flux in several "strands" inside the solder instead of having a single thick strand in the center of the solder.

    Flux type is also important, ideally you'd get solder wire with no-clean flux, which means you don't have to worry about cleaning the board (you should but unlike the other fluxes, the flux won't remain active attacking the copper under it). There are other flux types... water soluble (it's an acid, you need to clean it otherwise it will corrode the traces in time), mildly activated rosin or just plain activated rosin (usually you have to clean with isopropyl alcohol)

    That ebay link shows 1.6mm solder, 1/2 oz - that's about 10mg or about maybe 40cm (15 inches) of actual solder... that's not worth the 4$.

    You can get much better stuff from digikey, giving you just a few examples:

    7$ http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...2OZ-ND/2177050 SOLDER WIRE NO-CLEAN 63/37 2OZ. 0.02" (0.51mm) 2.2% Spool, 57g (2 oz)

    11$ http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...4OZ-ND/2177060 SOLDER WIRE NO-CLEAN 63/37 4OZ. CHIPQUIK® Chip Quik Inc Leaded Wire Solder No-Clean Sn63Pb37 (63/37) 25 0.02" (0.51mm) 2.2% Spool, 113g (1/4 lb)

    21$ http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...131-ND/2498929 63/37 CRYSL 502 3% .015DIA/28SWG C502 Multicore Leaded Wire Solder No-Clean Sn63Pb37 (63/37) 28 0.015" (0.39mm) 3% Spool, 227g (1/2 lb)
    Last edited by mariushm; 11-27-2011, 01:25 PM.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Need to get some non-crap.

      Alright so I'll get this solder station instead:
      http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VINMRO/...WF6DFEB2NSA4M1
      Solder sucker:
      http://www.amazon.com/PC-Circuit-Boa...2422275&sr=1-2
      Solder:
      something like this?
      http://www.amazon.com/Solder-Wire-Cl...sr=1-1-catcorr

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Need to get some non-crap.

        Search on eevblog for comments about both of those soldering stations - I believe the 50$ is the one that's better designed inside (better transformer and so on) and the tips are Hakko compatible - I don't know about the other one.

        The solder wire looks good but pay attention that it's sold by SRA Soldering products.

        Amazon has its own warehouses and sells stuff themselves. They also make deals with various companies to list their items on Amazon, Amazon handles payments and refunds, rma. In this second case, Amazon gives those companies two options: either send them to Amazon's warehouses or ship the stuff themselves.

        So with the three products you selected you have

        1. Sold by SRA Soldering Products and Fulfilled by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.

        Item belongs to SRA Soldering but they shipped it to Amazon's warehouse so you'll get it from Amazon.

        2. Ships from and sold by BestDealUSA.

        Payment is handled by Amazon but you'll pay shipping and you'll get the item from that store's warehouse

        3. Ships from and sold by SRA Soldering Products.

        Same.

        So in this case, you'd actually get three packages and possibly 3 separate shipping fees. It sucks a bit. As two of the items seem to be from SRA Soldering you could go straight to their website and get them from them: http://sra-solder.com/

        Try to get all the items from pages where it says "Fullfilled by Amazon" or "Shipped and sold by Amazon". You have a small section on the left of the page where you can click to see the stuff that's in Amazon's warehouses, therefore you'll get all in one package.

        digital multimeter suggestions :

        http://www.amazon.com/Extech-MN35-Di...2425033&sr=1-1
        Last edited by mariushm; 11-27-2011, 02:18 PM.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Need to get some non-crap.

          Or you could get the real deal used instead of new knock-offs.
          http://www.ebay.com/itm/150706787472
          http://www.ebay.com/itm/220901024912

          Or just cheap new.
          http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...er/lid=2873662
          [Pay attention. They sell both 220v and 110v versions. Don't get the wrong one.]

          There were 3 handle options, you want the 907.
          http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...90/lid=2873639

          Note:
          The older Hakko 926 has the same electricals as the 936 but is in different plastics.
          The handles are interchangeable.

          That cantonmadecom place looks iffy but I've bought handles and tips there 2 or 3 times now and they've all been legit hakko parts.
          Hard to beat $1.95 for legit Hakko tips - Or under $20 for a new handle.
          >> So far it's always been FREE shipping. <<--!!!
          Does take 3-4 weeks to get here.
          .
          .
          .
          If you aren't in a big hurry, sometimes the bases show up cheap on ebay.
          What I did was bought a lot of used bases on ebay [3 for $45] then got new handles from cantonmadecom.
          .
          I picked up another base later just because it was going so cheap. Like $5.
          Some company going out of business listed like 50 of them on the same day.
          .
          Have to be patient for deals like those.
          .
          Last edited by PCBONEZ; 11-27-2011, 02:36 PM.
          Mann-Made Global Warming.
          - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
          -
          Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
          - Dr Seuss
          -
          You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
          -

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Need to get some non-crap.

            Doesn't this:
            http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...er/lid=2873662
            come with a handle already?

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Need to get some non-crap.

              Originally posted by shovenose View Post
              Doesn't this:
              http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...er/lid=2873662
              come with a handle already?
              Yes.
              The talk about handles was for used bases on eBay.
              .
              Mann-Made Global Warming.
              - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
              -
              Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
              - Dr Seuss
              -
              You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
              -

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                Originally posted by shovenose View Post
                Also, I could use a real DMM:
                For $12.98 USD + free shipping, you may consider this one IF you don't need to measure current.

                http://www.ebay.com/itm/150668708442

                Review at

                http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=5047.0
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                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                  Sounds good. I'll go with that one.
                  So far, we have:
                  Meter1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150668708442
                  Meter2: http://www.amazon.com/Extech-MN35-Di...2425033&sr=1-1
                  Sodler Station: http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...er/lid=2873662
                  Solder: http://www.amazon.com/Solder-Wire-Cl...sr=1-1-catcorr

                  OK?
                  (yes, 2 meters, because if I break one I don't want to put my whole operation on hold

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                    If you go with the UT10A, don't forget to get extra CR2032 batteries. 5 for $1.15.

                    http://www.ebay.com/itm/280776767517

                    If you go with the Extech, the temp probe might be useful to you?
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                    If you are new to this forum, we can help a lot more if you please post clear focused pictures (max resolution 2000x2000 and 2MB) of your boards using the manage attachments button so they are hosted here. Information and picture clarity compositions should look like this post.

                    We respectfully ask that you make some time and effort to read some of the guides available for basic troubleshooting. After you have read through them, then ask clarification questions or report your findings.

                    Please do not post inline and offsite as they slow down the loading of pages.

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                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                      I've got about 4 extras of those little motherboard batteries...

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                        [Suggest] Add one of this tip to the order.
                        http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonm...ti/lid=2873634
                        It's better for larger joints like some found in PSUs.

                        The: 900M-T-1.2D and/or 900M-T-1.6D and/or 900M-T-2.4D will probably end up being your favorite[s] depending on what you work on most.
                        The first two are in the included set already.

                        Originally posted by shovenose View Post
                        yes, 2 meters, because if I break one I don't want to put my whole operation on hold
                        The heaters in soldering irons do wear out and at the worst possible moment.
                        A spare is a good idea. - But not urgent...
                        Just the heater costs like $15 in 2 packs.
                        The whole handle is like $3 more for one or $30 for two - and they have new heaters inside.
                        [My preference is complete spare handles 'cause you get new threads, connectors and cables too. A drawer or tool box lid mishap [or an animal that likes to chew] can ruin a cable pretty quick. Nice to have a spare.]

                        What I suggest is...
                        After you've played with it long enough to know what tip[s] you like best, go back an buy 5 or 10 each of those tips and add either a pack of spare heaters or a spare handle.

                        Also:
                        I actually have different tips on different handles so when switching tips I don't have to wait for the tip to cool down.
                        I just unplug one from the base and plug the other one in.
                        -
                        Or if it's a big job with a variety of joints I'll run two bases with different tips.
                        [Or sometimes I want different tips/temps for remove vs install or whatever.]
                        If you want that then wait for good deals on used bases at ebay or the likes.
                        The minor convenience isn't worth the cost otherwise.
                        .
                        Last edited by PCBONEZ; 11-27-2011, 05:02 PM.
                        Mann-Made Global Warming.
                        - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                        -
                        Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                        - Dr Seuss
                        -
                        You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                        -

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                          Oh and, the tips that come with the replacement handles are these needle point things and are more or less junk.
                          Not useful for much.
                          .
                          Mann-Made Global Warming.
                          - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                          -
                          Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                          - Dr Seuss
                          -
                          You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                          -

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                            Thank you so much for the advice. I'm going to purchase one meter, that extra tip, and the HAkko 936 right now.

                            Edit: ordered the meter from Amazon. I'm not getting the Hakko 936 from cantonmadecom, the shipping/handling is a ridiculous $35. Where can I get it cheaper? I'll hold off on that tip, because I'm not getting the 936 there anyway...
                            Last edited by shovenose; 11-27-2011, 05:40 PM.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                              I've never been charged shipping from there.
                              Must be dependant on what you order - however shipping to the US is only $9.80 for the station.
                              You must have checked Worldwide instead of specifying USA. That's the only one that's $35.
                              - It's all clearly stated near the bottom of the ad.

                              And handles & tips still ship free. I looked.
                              .
                              Last edited by PCBONEZ; 11-27-2011, 06:40 PM.
                              Mann-Made Global Warming.
                              - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                              -
                              Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                              - Dr Seuss
                              -
                              You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                              -

                              Comment

                                #16
                                Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                                Well it said shipping&handling was $35. it was the only selectable option. I gave up but I can't wait for my meter to arrive so I can properly finish troubleshooting my VA720 and Linksys Switch

                                Comment

                                  #17
                                  Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                                  Don't give up, email them and ask what's wrong with the shipping calculator instead...
                                  "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                                  -David VanHorn

                                  Comment

                                    #18
                                    Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                                    That's what I was thinkin'.
                                    Mann-Made Global Warming.
                                    - We should be more concerned about the Intellectual Climate.
                                    -
                                    Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
                                    - Dr Seuss
                                    -
                                    You can teach a man to fish and feed him for life, but if he can't handle sushi you must also teach him to cook.
                                    -

                                    Comment

                                      #19
                                      Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                                      How do you suppose I do that if they have a blank contect page?
                                      http://www.vendio.com/stores/cantonmadecom/contact
                                      Don't worry, I'm not giving up. When I get my meter I wil try this one again.

                                      Comment

                                        #20
                                        Re: Need to get some non-crap.

                                        Try here then maybe: http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/2...wholesale.html

                                        Looks like the same guy, same price. Tells me free shipping even to New Zealand.

                                        I wonder if they are actually genuine Hakko though?
                                        "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                                        -David VanHorn

                                        Comment

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