Please recommend soldering station?

Thread Starter

topanzarulla

Joined Aug 18, 2009
1
(new to the forum; new to electronics)

my budget is around $200

I am just starting to learn the basics of electronics using breadboards. In parallel to that I want to practice soldering so that when I actually need it I will have some skill - both through-hole AND surface-mount.

I read online some articles and watched some videos. I also searched this forum. It seems Weller and Metcal and the two brands most often mentioned. Metcal is over my budget so Weller it is.

I was thinking go get the Weller WESD51 but then I saw this:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/9766

which gives me a lot more for a little extra money.

Which one would you recommend?

Any other advise?

Thanks
 

steveb

Joined Jul 3, 2008
2,436
Weller is definitely good, and I used them for years. However, I thought I would mention, a couple of years ago I picked up a used Melcal SP200 for $200. It blows away any soldering iron I've every used. Perhaps some new Weller products are just as good, and I certainly haven't thoroughly evaluated all available products. However, I can say with certainty, the SP200 is perfect and you won't be disappointed, if you manage to track down a used one at a reasonable price (i.e. $200 or less).
 
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