Here is a summary of the soldering irons and stations recommended by those who replied so far, along with the average cost:
1. Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station - $60
2. Pace solder station with a TD 100 solder pen - $130
3. Hakko FX888 soldering station - $110
4. Xytronic LF-389D - 60 watt - $60
5. 60W Weller WESD51 soldering station - Discontinued
~ Replaced by Weller WE1010NA
~ 70-Watt Digital Soldering Station - $130
6. Tekpower TP13,40-Watt Soldering Station - $25
The Xytronic LF-389D got 3 votes. Now, I need to take a closer look at the specs, but I am leaning toward the Xytronic LF-389D at this point.
Rich
Note: Edited to include subsequent recommendations.
Alton Junction
Overmod I think any properly-adjustable quick-reheating iron of that wattage range in that price range would likely be Asian -- which implies a certain caveat emptor care in choosing a model and a source to buy it from. Be sure true replacement tips are easily available and of good quality too. I'd at least think about spending the money on a 'station' that also hosts a desoldering vacuum and a controlled-temperature spot hot air gun capable of reflow. Those are luxuries, but you quickly come to appreciate them. Like those little Ford push buttons to unlock the doors... I confess that I cheated; I bought one of the old Radio Shack units with the blue plasma dot display for $25 -- as a parts unit, but it worked just fine when I plugged it in and (knock wood!) still does: I have not yet needed a better one for hobby work. (Yes, I still do use a 150W heavy 'stick' iron for foiling and came soldering, and I might use that for quick feeder and drop integrity 'under the benchwork', but there are torches that work as well or better if you need finer control or a smaller effective tip size...)
I think any properly-adjustable quick-reheating iron of that wattage range in that price range would likely be Asian -- which implies a certain caveat emptor care in choosing a model and a source to buy it from. Be sure true replacement tips are easily available and of good quality too.
I'd at least think about spending the money on a 'station' that also hosts a desoldering vacuum and a controlled-temperature spot hot air gun capable of reflow. Those are luxuries, but you quickly come to appreciate them. Like those little Ford push buttons to unlock the doors...
I confess that I cheated; I bought one of the old Radio Shack units with the blue plasma dot display for $25 -- as a parts unit, but it worked just fine when I plugged it in and (knock wood!) still does: I have not yet needed a better one for hobby work.
(Yes, I still do use a 150W heavy 'stick' iron for foiling and came soldering, and I might use that for quick feeder and drop integrity 'under the benchwork', but there are torches that work as well or better if you need finer control or a smaller effective tip size...)
Of course - but so is pretty much any Weller selling for under $200 or so. There's Hakko which are Japanese, but be VERY careful because they are the most countefeited ones out there - right down to the colors and the name. Best check that the seller is an authorized dealer. Xytronic like mine is Tiawanese. Both are solid and have parts and tips availablke long after a model is discontinued. And they both make everything from entry level to production line class equipment. Xytronic seems to always be a bit less expensive - the Hakko equivalent to the LF-389D is around $100 compared to $60.
Weller - guess it's time again for that rant. They are like many formerly well respected tool brands. Carl Weller invented the soldering gun. In my home town. They used to make their products within walkign distance of my house. The plant still stands, but it's used for other things these days. When Carl Weller retired and sold off the company, it passed through many owners before ending where they are today. The Weller family made a lot of money selling a good product. They used that money around the local community for all sorts of philanthropic causes - plenty of "Weller" wings on hospitals around the area. But the brand name has been horribly diluted, like many other former great tool brands. The soldering gun I have is actually a Weller. I got it in WalMart - it's lightweight, made in China. It does work and hasn't failed yet, but one drop and it's probably toast. But it was cheap. At the same time, there is electronic production (commercial level) equipment sold with the Weller name that's made in the USA and some of the best around. You get everything from 'homeowner' quality to top notch production gear with the Weller name on these days.
What's disturbing is seeing places like Micro Mark sell an "adjustable" Weller station for the same or more than the Xytronic costs - and it's NOT a controlled soldering station. It's an adjustable one - as in how many watts, but it is not temperature controlled. The giveaway is the handpiece plugs in to the base with a standard 3 prong line cord. Like any ordinary iron, they heat up continuously until the power in is no longer able keep up with the loss to the air. Compared to a temperature controlled station, which, regardless of the wattage, heats only to the set temperature and maintains it - they have a sensor and feedback loop to maintain the set temp. My Xytronic is actually a 45 watt unit - I've had no problem with Code 83 rail, in fact I originally bought it to buiuld Fast Tracks turnouts. The LF-389D current model is 60 watts, so should be even better.
I did consider getting one of those all in one things, but a couple of things with them. If one thing fails, say the vac pump for the desodering tool, now the whole thing is useless, or at least consumes a lot of space for a soldering station. When I thought about it, I relaeased I don't do much desoldering after all - so one of those manual "solder suckers" is good enough (I got the original Edson one, not a cheapy, not that it was expensive at all). And the hot air - well, I do not see myself ever doing surface mount, I have enough vision problems. And I use the good heat shrink which I can shrink with the soldering iron without making a melty mess all over the tip.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Put me in the camp for Randy's recommendation of the Xtronic LF-389D. Superior to my basic pencil type iron. Night and day. Quick heat up, controllable temperature, all the benefits as stated in previous posts. That said, I would say the most important thing is the adjustable, controllable temperature feature of a station. The Xtronic is good, and I'm sure there are others just as good or better. Bottom line, get an adjustable station. Definitely won't be disappointed
I also have the recommended Xytronic LF-389D and definitely would buy again. I love the fact that I can keep the tip clean.
But I obtained it after the layout wiring was completed, mainly for decoder and building lighting work. So I cannot attest to work such as attaching feeder wires to rail or heftier jobs.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I've had my 60W Weller WESD51 soldering station for 10+ years now and really like it. It has the LED readout so that I can set it to the temperature that I want. I purchased it new on eBay for a little over $100. It's been a great soldering station and I'm still on my first chisel tip, which is still nice & shiny.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Wow, I just got back to my computer and to the forum. Lots of great replies. I need some time to absorb them all and then respond. Thanks so much, this all looks very helpful.
I still have and still use the Xytronic. Mine is an older model without an LED readout - but I've had it something like 14 years now. Nice thing is - parts are still available, including a replacement handpiece, though all I've ever done is swap out some tips - and I do still have the original that came with it and that one is still usable.
About the only thing I don't use it for is soldering feeders to the bus - a realtively low power iron like this isn't really good for #14 and #12 wire. I have one of those big 100-150 watt guns for that. But electronic assembly, decoder installs, track feeders, soldering track sections together - it's just the right size.
The LF-389D is on Amazon for the same price as Jameco, so that's another source.
I started soldering as a kid in the 1950's but with the plated tips over the years and no filing, it sure made a difference.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I use the brand Randy recommended, Xytronic. I think there is a knock off Chinese one with a very similar name, couldn't find that one on short notice.
https://www.jameco.com/z/LF-389D-Xytronic-Industries-60W-Mini-Type-Digital-Soldering-Station_2174733.html
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I always used either a Weller or American Beauty soldering iron until I retired (50 yrs). After I retired I found a very nice soldering station at MPJA (Model 301A) and I’ve been very happy with it since 2007.https://www.mpja.com/Solder-Stations/departments/480/It came with two tips and the original tip lasted 11 years. EDIT:
Sorry, it appears they got out of the soldering iron business. Too bad the one I bought works very good.
Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Hi Rich.
I purchased at Hakko FX888 soldering station recently which allows me to digitally select the temperature and choose the tip that I want to use for about half the price of the Weller that you are looking at. I really like the ability to select the temperature that I want to use based on the task. I also like the speed that the tip heats up at so I don't have to wait minutes for the right temperature.
There are plenty of good soldering stations that are available in the $50 to $100 dollar range and I'm sure that others will give good examples.
Scott Sonntag
I do DCC installs for a living (that is really an over statement-I am retired) but I do installs for clinents all the time.
I used a very low cost adjustable solder station for years.
I recently got a Pace solder station with a TD 100 solder pen.
this cost me almost 10 times the cost of my original.
'I know it is over kill BUT man what a diffence it has made!
So get a good one, one that has a temperature control- you won't regret it.
I use to used the 90 watt gun many years ago but for some years I have used the Weller WLC-100 soldering station with wedge tip for rail joiners and the pointed tip for circuit board work.
For years, I have owned a 100 watt Radio Shack soldering gun with the looped tip. I use it for heavy duty soldering such as under layout soldering of feeders to bus wires.
More recently, I bought a 15 watt Weller WM120 pencil soldering iron for fine work such as soldering wires to decoder tabs.
I also have a 45 watt Radio Shack soldering iron that has seen better days, and I would like to replace it with a new soldering iron in the 45 to 60 watt range for medium soldering chores such as soldering feeders to rails.
I searched the Weller website and narrowed it down to a 65 watt WXP65 Set, and then searched for a price and was shocked to find out that the WXP65 goes for over $225. Say what?
Shouldn't I be able to find a reliable soldering iron in the 45 to 60 watt range for a price somewhere around $50?