What is teh difference between these soldering irons?

Thread Starter

bingaloman

Joined Jun 5, 2015
2
Hi I am new to the forums. I was wondering what is the difference between these two soldering irons that are both 25W. I am new to soldering but I know the basics and I am just soldering on to small PCBs.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-SP25NK...8160&sr=8-1&keywords=weller+soldering+iron+25

and this one

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WP25-P...8160&sr=8-4&keywords=weller+soldering+iron+25

The second one lists it as a professional but what is the main difference? I notice that I couldn't find any conical tips for the first one but the second one I can use the ST7. Is the difference pretty much that the professional one can use a wider variety of tips?

Thank you!
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
17,496
Other than the LEDs in one, the tips are a bit different and I would lean towards preferring the tips in the "pro" model. My hunch is that they will last longer and be easier to change out, probably with more options.

That said, I'm not recommending one over the other, just speculating based on what I see in the pictures.

Personally, I use this one and like it quite a bit. Variable temperature and a stand, both big plusses in my experience.
 

Thread Starter

bingaloman

Joined Jun 5, 2015
2
Thanks for the answer. Yeah I currently have the one with the LEDs but when trying to solder certain small points on a PCB it is kind of hard because the tip is kind of fat and I tried looking for smaller tips but couldn't find any for the first model. I may have to go for the second one since it does support smaller conical tips.
 

upand_at_them

Joined May 15, 2010
940
If the tips for the one you have are inexpensive (and they probably are) you could make an appropriate tip by filing/grinding down a regular tip. It will shorten the tip life because the plating will be gone, but if you're in a bind to do a bunch of small soldering it might suit your needs.
 
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