esantoro Report post Posted February 25, 2009 I need to buy a basic, inexpensive soldering station. I bought a cheap 20/40 watt switchable soldering station from radio shack but returned it because it was too cheap. For about the same amount of money, I can get either a 5-50 watt or 5-70 watt variable temp soldering station similar in quality to the radio shack soldering station. Is there any reason I should get the higher wattage station that sells for around $44, or is the 50 watt station that sells for $23 enough? Here are three links: 50 watt: http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=15860+TL 70 watt: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=380105600138 This one is identical to the soldering station I got from and returned to Radio Shack: http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=11771+TL Thanks, Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 25, 2009 You will have more versatility with the 70 watt station, better would be 80 watts. The higher wattage allows you to solder more variety of things. As an example, we make small stained glass, and fused glass things here. Not that you will, but you could. The temp control regulates down nicely for other applications. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipj Report post Posted February 25, 2009 What'cha try'n to solder? Last I heard you were trying to fix a lamp. SkipJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esantoro Report post Posted February 25, 2009 What'cha try'n to solder? Last I heard you were trying to fix a lamp. SkipJ I want to solder the connections on my lamp fix for a more professional job. And then I will tackle repairing the wires on a defunct laptop AC adapter. I have two 100 watt gun-type soldering pistols which are not very useful for intricate work, which I'd like to dabble in later. Years ago I had ideas to make NiMh battery adapters for various electronic devices, which now seems like a suitable distraction once again. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esantoro Report post Posted February 25, 2009 After a bit more research, it seems that there are many of these cheap variable temp solder stations on the market. I wonder if it's a simple procedure to open up a 50 watt version and change a part or two to make it a higher wattage device. I survived the fireworks of my lamp fix and still have a few lives to play with. Ed I need to buy a basic, inexpensive soldering station.I bought a cheap 20/40 watt switchable soldering station from radio shack but returned it because it was too cheap. For about the same amount of money, I can get either a 5-50 watt or 5-70 watt variable temp soldering station similar in quality to the radio shack soldering station. Is there any reason I should get the higher wattage station that sells for around $44, or is the 50 watt station that sells for $23 enough? Here are three links: 50 watt: http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=15860+TL 70 watt: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=380105600138 This one is identical to the soldering station I got from and returned to Radio Shack: http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=11771+TL Thanks, Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipj Report post Posted February 25, 2009 I think it wouldn't be worth the effort to try to upgrade the iron. Need a new heating element and I don't know where one could be found if it would fit. Make magazine, http://blog.makezine.com/, have had a lot of articles regard soldering. Mostly electronic stuff. You need a higher output, wattage, iron than what they would use for pc boards ans surface mount electronics. SkipJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 26, 2009 This is where I get mine. Everything you could possibly want... http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/weller/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
