May 2, 200818 yr comment_117995 Ok don't start.. It's the only place nearby that stocks them. So anyone tried any of their crap? I see they have numerous irons from pistol grip 40W to Pencil 15W and adjustable butane 25-50W. Any recommendations on power/type etc for phone wires and circuit DIY work? Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_117996 Ok don't start.. It's the only place nearby that stocks them. So anyone tried any of their crap? I see they have numerous irons from pistol grip 40W to Pencil 15W and adjustable butane 25-50W. Any recommendations on power/type etc for phone wires and circuit DIY work? I sometimes use the butane one. Works ok. Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_117998 First I suggest you don't do it and invest a little more cheese on a better iron. I have owned a couple in the past and they have been okay. The problem with them is the tips suck. If you don't plan on doing a lot of DIY you should be fine as long as you take care of it. As for size the smaller ones will be fine for phone wires but for larger stuff you will want something with more power. Stay away from guns. I purchased a Xytronic as I iron for here in Iraq and I have had really good luck with it. It also uses Hakko tips. Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_118003 I have owned a couple in the past and they have been okay. The problem with them is the tips suck. Yup, the tips are only good for a couple projects before they start getting eaten away into uselessness. If you're only going to build a project or two it's no big deal, but if you plan on being a regular DIY guy you'll want to step up to a better iron like a Weller or Pace. Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_118004 x2 on the tips suck, even when new, even when taken care of. You're on the west coast? No Fry's around? They carry Weller and Hakko and probably more. Home Depot or Lowes might have something in the 25W or so range (Weller probably)? I'd try to get anything other than ratshack if I were you. Report
May 2, 200818 yr Author comment_118005 Thanks all. Frys is a good distance away and Lowes doesn't seem to carry much. I'm not planning on doing anything as extensive as an amp, just little things like resoldering phones and the odd connector. Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_118008 People recommend the Hakko Dash if you can find it for a decent price (simple pencil 25W iron IIRC). Not sure about the Xytronic that Naamanf is using, but that might be worth checking into. Fry's does carry Hakko tips in stock, so if you got something online that could use Hakko tips... http://www.tequipment.net/HakkoN454.html Report
May 2, 200818 yr comment_118009 The Xytronic station is available from Circuit Specialists online and is rather cheap. I like it a lot. Report
May 3, 200818 yr comment_118055 Ok don't start.. There's this invention, I think it's called the Intarwebz. You're on it. WTF? Report
May 3, 200818 yr Author comment_118061 There's this invention, I think it's called the Intarwebz. You're on it. WTF? The fuck is that I needed it straight away. The interwebz ain't that quick. Report
May 3, 200818 yr Author comment_118154 It all worked out in the end, I found a 25W Weller pencil iron so we're all set. Now I can start rewiring stuff Report
May 3, 200818 yr comment_118163 It all worked out in the end, I found a 25W Weller pencil iron so we're all set. Now I can start rewiring stuff Oh shit!! Don't touch anything electric at Smeggy's place Report
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