Budget soldering tool recommendations??

StudEbiker

100 kW
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Apr 13, 2009
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Ashland, OR, USA
I was wondering if any of you could suggest what a good budget friendly soldering tool would be. I am looking at the butane powered one at Radio Shack, but today I saw this one at Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66050 It is $7 cheaper than the one at Radio Shack, anyone have any experience with it. I am mostly soldering connectors and such, but I also want to do one soldering job on a controller so it needs to small and versatile.
 
Looks the same as the bernzomatic, which I recommend. Just go to Lowes.
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15276
 
the radioshack one is a bi!ch to light and heats up slow compared to my Weller Butane Iron. it doesn't have good tip mass for thick wires, but it does get as hot as a 60-80 watt iron.

The HF version might be better, probably just as good. I'd say its worth the risk, but either of them are better than an electric.
 
Drunkskunk said:
the radioshack one is a bi!ch to light and heats up slow compared to my Weller Butane Iron. it doesn't have good tip mass for thick wires, but it does get as hot as a 60-80 watt iron.

The HF version might be better, probably just as good. I'd say its worth the risk, but either of them are better than an electric.

I second Drunkskunk regarding the Weller brand. It is one of the best American product I use the most. You need quality tools to do quality jobs. :)
 
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