May 2, 200818 yr 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?
May 2, 200818 yr 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.
May 2, 200818 yr 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.
May 2, 200818 yr 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.
May 2, 200818 yr 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.
May 2, 200818 yr Author 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.
May 2, 200818 yr 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
May 2, 200818 yr The Xytronic station is available from Circuit Specialists online and is rather cheap. I like it a lot.
May 3, 200818 yr Ok don't start.. There's this invention, I think it's called the Intarwebz. You're on it. WTF?
May 3, 200818 yr Author 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.
May 3, 200818 yr Author 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
May 3, 200818 yr 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
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