As it sez, I'm in the market for a good quality soldering iron/station. Variable temp, and easily acquirable replacement tips. This is mainly for wiring in locomotives, electronics, lighter stuff where finess is premium.If it can do track work too, that'd be great. I've seen some topics posted here. If you could point me to one of those or recommend a good setup, I'd appreciate input.
I'm willing to pay the bucks. Probably have to get one on line from a store in the auction place or Ama-something. Experienced help appreciated
A good deal on a quality setup would be nice, but quality is more important, unless we're talking exotic.
Thanks. Dan
See this forum topic (currently 2nd down in the layouts and layout building). http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/231336.aspx
The Xtronic 4000 digital variable temp soldering station is about $80.00 and comes with 10 different tips. I got mine for a father's day gift 2 yrs ago and love it. It warms up within 30 seconds and gives constant heat at the dialed-in temperature setting.
I got mine thru Amazon online.
Cedarwoodron
cedarwoodron The Xtronic 4000 digital variable temp soldering station is about $80.00 and comes with 10 different tips. I got mine for a father's day gift 2 yrs ago and love it. It warms up within 30 seconds and gives constant heat at the dialed-in temperature setting. I got mine thru Amazon online. Cedarwoodron
I took a look at that Xtronics unit, that looks pretty much like what I'm looking for. Thanks! , Now I see the topic is being covered in Layouts, as BMMECNYC pointed out. So this topic can happily fade away. Thanks. Dan
I'd look at a Weller WTCPT. They have many different tips, replacement parts are available, and they're pretty much an industry standard. They're made to be used 8hrs a day, 5 days a week. I've got one and love it.
I personally don't own one of these, but several members of the the round-robin MRR group that I belong to own these units by ZD Electronic Tools (ZD-932) and they are offered in the catalog of a Florida-based company called Marlin P. Jones, Associates. It features controlled output up to 48 watts and has interchangeable tips. The unit itself sells for $14.95 and replacement tips can also be purchased. You can look them up at www.mpja.com and you can request that they send you a catalog, which is free.
I purchased that unit from MPJ and it works very well.
I got it just for doing Decoder Installs.
For anything bigger out comes the old 1970s Weller 100 w Gun!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I have a Xytronic controlled-temperature soldering station that I purchased 30 or so years ago, and I have never had to replace the tip even though it is used almost daily at our club for decoder installation and other tasks.
Unfortunatley, they have 'improved' the model over the years and it is now in two parts instead of being all in one, so I don't know if it is still as durable and reliable as the older model.
I have a new Xytronics, sells for about $50. The lastest version of it adds a digital readout, mine just has a knob to adjust the temp. Had it for 6 years now, still on the original tip. The copper sponger cleaner base ti comes with is worth the price alone. I think the current one is the 369D or something similar.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you are lookingfor a life bullet proof unit make your choice to a WELLER PU 81.
I'ts a Weller soldering station, blue serial or professionnal whith a build in potentiometer which allow you to regulate the power from a few watts to nearly hundred watts. The tip of the sodering iron is interchangeable from small like a pin to big one for any soldering purpose.
I use this station for many purpose, from small brass kit to handlaid track whith Fastrack jigs or soldering heavy buss wire.
I especialy appreciate his versality.
It's been said that a craftsman never blames his tool for not doing a job right, but everyone knows that quality tools make all the diff in the world. I've never had a good soldering iron, and I have a lond standing dislike for soldering. Coincidence? I think it's it is long, LONG overdue. I'm seeing a pattern here with Xytronics, and that's the direction I'm leaning in. Thanks! Dan
I bought my Xytronics based on recommendations here. It's definitely the best soldering iron I've ever owned, and I had a lot of them over the years. I've been building electronic things for over 40 years. The Xytronics replaced 3 other regular irons I had, so now all I use are the Xytronics station and the 150 watt soldering gun for feeders.
I went with the recommendation because the Weller products at a $50 price point are NOT temperature controlled. You can adjust the power but they do NOT switch the ehating element on and off to maintain temerature. This is the key for long tip life - a regular iron continues to heat as long as power is applied. It reaches an equilibrium depending on the size of the tip and the wattage of the element, where it loses heat to the air at the same rate as teh element heats it, but this is usually 3-4x hotter than it needs to be to solder. A true temperature controlled unit will monitor the tip temperature and turn the element on and off to maintain th setting. The really expensive pro ones, within a fraction of a degree. Affordable ones which are plenty good enough for model railroad work, within a couple of degrees.
My issue with Weller is that when Cooper Industries bought them, they ruined the brand. Carl Weller invented the soldering gun, in my home town. He made them in a factory within walking distance of the house I grew up in. They were always THE brand to go with. Until Cooper Industries. Now the Weller name is attached to everything from cheap junk you can buy at WalMart, all the way up to high end professional assembly stations. So you need to watch what you buy there, it's not all top quality like the Weller I grew up with - I still have a 1950's era Weller gun that works just fine although it got dropped a few times too many on concrete and there is a small piece missing on the corner of the Bakelite housing, which is OK as long as you don't poke your finger in there, because you can touch the high voltage side of things.
DONE DEAL! I just bought the 4010
Thanks again for the input. I look forward to being able to solder small wires without slobbering solder all over everything with my cheap-o irons. Dan
That's much fancier than the one I have, decent price. I would recommend picking up this for the stand and ditchign that wet sponge thing
This is the stand that came with mine. The copper/brass pad in there does a much betetr job of keepign the tip clean than the wet sponge - which also tends to cool the tip. This stand is the Xytronics 103.
There's about halffa chance I'll get to go to a Frye's electrnics this weekend, I'll load up on good quality accessories, including one of those. Thanks. Dan
LION has Xytronic LF-369D from Howard Electronics. Works great, but I kept dropping the solder head. You know about LIONS and furry paws, right. Broke the certmic heater. Sent it in, and got a new one right back from them. Lion will now build a magnetic holder so that it will not fall off of my solder station.
LION not pleased with short cord, that is why him build solder station.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I used to use a Xytronic, but then I got a Hakko FP-102 from work. The Xytronic was fine, but the Hakko's really nice!
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Good idea, Lion. Dan will build one cuz him can wel...I mean, I can weld. I'll build up a nice one with adjustable height that will help keep that much more stuff off of the workbench top. My layout is about at chest height, (I'm 6'1) And the work benches are under the layout. So height adjustability would be handy. I'll post pictures.
Thanks, Darth, but the dealio is done, it's on it's way.
BroadwayLion LION has Xytronic LF-369D from Howard Electronics. Works great, but I kept dropping the solder head. You know about LIONS and furry paws, right. Broke the certmic heater. Sent it in, and got a new one right back from them. Lion will now build a magnetic holder so that it will not fall off of my solder station. LION not pleased with short cord, that is why him build solder station. ROAR
-Bob
PS: I have the same 369 model but haven't dropped it yet.
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!