48 replies to this topic

[geardriven]

Getting into the hobby and looking for an inexpensive no frills/no thrills soldering tool that will do the job.
Prefer a pencil style over a gun style if possible.
Suggestions...brand names/where to purchase would be helpful.
Thanks

[John Streisguth]

The Hako brand seems to be the most-preferred units these days.  Not "cheap", but a good investment.

 

However, the first 4 or 5 retro chassis I built were done with a $16 Hobby Lobby unit.  The most important thing is to have one that puts out enough heat that you can heat the part quickly.

[MarkH]

I have the Hakko 601. Adjustable heat control built into the handle. I use a 1/8" tip. It comes with a 3/16" tip. I have not run into anything that it could not solder even steel guide tongues to brass plate with spacers. Only complaint is the power cord is kind of thick. I quickly found that it is ignored and not a big deal.

[W. J. Dougherty]

How about giving the guy wattage and temp requirements so he can pick hiw own?

 

The suggestions above are very good ones.  What will you be soldering?  Flexi is a big difference compared to building chassis for retro...

 

Don't go too cheap or low wattage/temp.  It won't work and will cause great frustration in the long run...

[Tim Neja]

I"d go with the Hakko!  DON'T try to go cheap on your iron or you'll create a lot of frustration!  It's like any tool---buy the BEST you can and you'll never regret it!!

[drrufo]

 Hakko has an adjustable set up with the tip/handle on the end of a cord going to the base. The base has a digital display that shows the temp of the tip. I buld my controllers with it, if I need more heat that my standard setting, i just crank it up.

  It is model number fx 888d. I got it at Fries electronics in Ornage County, but you can buy it at any good electronics store.

[Craig]

I would suggest if you are going to purchase Hakko to buy direct at http://www.hakkousa....ucts.asp?CID=49

 

If you want to pay retail Fry's does carry a limited supply of the Hakko product but why pay retail?

 

I've seen a savings buying direct and if you reside in Sothern California shipping is free!

 

They now carry a couple new irons, the 508 40W at about $15.00 and the 503 60W at around $14.00 but these are not offered with the ceramic heating element.

[Ramcatlarry]

One goal is to heat to 1000 degrees F for chassis building.  The OLD std was the UNGAR screw together 45W iron.  Since the ungar was bought out by Cooper Tools, that line is a little harder to find, but always available at McMaster-Carr mail-order...they rarely list brands, but read between the lines.  I have not used a soldering gun since 1964.

 

The best ungar replacement has been the Hakko 455 (now available) at Fry's electronics cheap.  The huge Hakko 456 is fuctional, but not very toolbox friendly. 

 

Either used with the accessory heat control  work great.

 

Most manufacturers make base control/pencil irons that are lighter AND more expensive.  Finding the right heavy duty tip can be the worst issue in setting up a great work station.  I also keep a small torch on hand to float several parts at once when the iron cannot do the full job.  Tack first, then float them all together.

[HarV Wallbanger III]

I always used a Ungar for chassis just because it has a wide tip and transfers heat fast but since I got my Hakko FX601 with the T19-D65 tip it does it all from turned down on electronic stuff to KILL mode hot for chassis. Do not go cheap.... as said it will cause more problems than the savings are worth!   

[MarkH]

This is who I bought mine from. Be sure to get the iron holder with the woven brass mesh to clean the tip, I stopped used the wet sponge a couple of years ago when I kept messing up my old Unger tips. The brass mesh is much better.

[Jeff Fischl]

Ordered my Digital FX888D & CHP170 bundle, includes FREE CHP170 cutter on amazon for 92.00. Check it out

[Dennis David]

Hakko 601

[Rick]

Forget all you have seen and heard, go to ebay and look for a cheap China iron. 60 watt, uses HAKKO tips, adjustable on handle, very small and under $15 delivered to you door. Nothing comes close to this deal!!!! NIce soft cord, very hot! This one blows everything else away. I will find link to actual Buy It Now for you......

[Fast Freddie]

I've done a lot of my everyday soldering with a $12 60 watt Hobbico iron. It comes with 3 tips. It works great for bushings, bearings, pin tubes and I have even used it to put chassis together. I will give you one tip, DON'T pre tin the tips they already have a coating that will accept solder. I always pretinned the tips and they wouldn't last long. I recently tried using the tip without pretinning and it works great. I have also used it to solder in motors with no problems.

[Rick]

http://www.ebay.com/...=item1c2e8fd94a

 

That's the one to replace anything we have been using for 30 years. I found it, bought it and it rocks. Nothing comes close for the price. Uses 888 HAKKO station tips.

[Fast Freddie]

I just got my new tip for the soldering iron Rick recommended, it cost almost as much as the iron. Boy that little iron packs a punch. If I made the Centigrade to Fahrenheit conversion correctly it's nearly a 1000 degree at max temp. I like the fact that it's so compact and has a temp control on the handle. The iron comes with a needle point so it needs a chisel tip. I got the T18-S3 which has a 5.2 mm tip. I think the T18-D32 or T18-D32L tip is a 3.2mm chisel tip and may be better for motors and wires. The 5mm tip will be better for chassis work. Thanks for the tip Rick. Can't complain about a $14 soldering iron this good. Now I'll see if it can hold up like my 25 year old Unger.

[Rick]

That's the same response I get from everyone that has bought one. I bought a couple more for spares in case they disappear on Ebay. I have been using one for a few months now and so far, so good. Look around the Ohio retro scene and you will see them everywhere. The other big plus, the cord is nice and pliable to make them real comfy to use............

[Hermit #1]

You guys are all a bunch of wimps!    Real he-men use only 550w American Beauty soldering irons.








Actually, they're of no real use on the slot cars themselves - but they're holy terrors for installing or repairing track braid.  I should know, I have one...

[Bill from NH]

Hermit, with that iron, you ought to be able to pile all your chassis parts on the jig & solder everything at once.     It probably works well for radiator tanks too.

[Pablo]

I really like my Rgeo Ungar.  Tips are easy to find, easy to replace.  I don't know if Rick has any left, though.

[Fast Freddie]

I guess anything worth doing is worth over doing to the max. I love my little $14 soldering iron it's still working great and is good enough to scratch build chassis.

[anumber1]

Reviving a old thread but... I have been super pleased with a Hakko 503. It is $15 but works every bit as good as my trusty old Weller handle with the lightbulb style replaceable tip/element and costs less than half of the replacement tip for the Weller!

 

I use the ED6 tip with the Hakko.

[Guy Spaulding]

Rick is right. I've used Ungar since my chassis building days in the '80s, and many of my friends use Hakko models. But those of us who have tried these hot little Chinese models have made the switch!  

 

But, here's another tip (pun intended)

 

Amazon has just the tips you need, at the price you want, that would make Hakko owners happy, tool! Note: I've seen these tips go in and out of stock, so keep checking.

 

But, now Amazon has even more to offer. Just search for: 60W 110V Adjustable Temperature Welding Soldering Iron 

 

Choose one of the many irons available that have a blue handle. From there, you can take your choice of tips and accessories.

[drrufo]

With the blue handle adjustable soldering iron, you need to keep in mind the dial is in C degrees, not F. I had a real problem with smutz growing on my tip. I reduced to temp from 400 C to 300 F and my tip is shiny and my plastic switch parts don't melt.

[Tim Neja]

I just ordered a couple of these! Might as well get two they're so cheap!! If they work as good as you say I'll set them up with two different tips and use them for wiring and chassis building!!

 

Thanks!!