Do you really need to invest in a good soldering gun?
If you are just starting out and in a tight budget pehaps you can buy those cheap solder gun to do some simple soldering. If you are serious in electronicas repair I suggest that you get solder gun that can last. Those days i bought cheap solder gun and it could last only couple of months, worst some could only last for couple of weeks! The tip of the cheap solder gun became crooked and broke in some cases and you just have to throw it away. It is really a waste of money investing on those non branded and cheap solder gun.
On my side here, I'm using Hakko presto 981 dual mode solder gun for common repair job. For soldering small SMD components I use Antex solder gun with a smaller solder tip. Both soldering gun are very reliable and if the tip have problek you ca just buy the tip only. If I want to remove SMD IC i will use a rework station. What about the temperature controlled solder gun? To be honest I do not own any of this as i find it is already adequate for me to have the two branded solder gun on my workbench. What type of solder gun you are using? Would you like to share it to fellow readers in this blog? Thanks in advanced!
By the way you may click on the link below to read a related post to soldering gun:
https://www.jestineyong.com/hakko-presto-981-soldering-gun/
Badril
September 15, 2012 at 3:46 am
Hi Jestine..
Do you have any experience using battery powered soldering gun?
Jestine Yong
September 17, 2012 at 2:08 am
Hi Badril,
Nope but I did see people use gas solder gun to do the soldering work while fixing on something when there are no supply of ac voltage.
Jestine
Waleed Rishmawi
September 16, 2012 at 3:21 am
i have been using Kada rework station and the soldering iron for more than five year and I am very happy with it. it is very cheap, made in china and the shipping did not cost that much. it comes with soldering tips and you can repalce them any time, and the rework station comes with an extra handle for heat..love it.
Jestine Yong
September 17, 2012 at 2:14 am
Hi Waleed,
Good to know about the brand and thanks for sharing.
Jestine
PHILIP ODHIAMBO
September 17, 2012 at 4:48 am
Hi jestine,
I started soldering using bicycle wire tips and charcoal then top plug pins.At present am using the cheaply available ones that get spoilt even with a single knock.I need to order for the best ones,please help.Nowadays chinees products are not realy long lasting.
Thanks.
Jestine Yong
September 17, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Hi Philip,
Just visit any electronics shops and look for a branded solder gun like hakko, goot and etc. You may try ebay.com too
Jestine
Waleed Rishmawi
September 17, 2012 at 1:15 pm
i have used soldering guns powered with battery. there is one called cold soldering. the reason they call it that because the moment the soldering touches the solder and the joint, it get hot and when the soldering gun is away from the solder it gets cold very fast. the problem with it is the batteries die fast and the soldering tips are not good. it is not professional..it is a consumer product. I bought this product from the states and tried it out..it is ok for consumers repair but not for professionals.
Waleed Rishmawi
September 17, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I have used a gas powered soldering gun and I found them very usefull especially when working in a place that has no electricity. it got heat up very fast and it works really great. one thing bad about it is when the soldering is too close to the board, it might burn the surface of the board because the heat coming out of the soldering tip is very hight and it also can burn sensitive component.
Jestine Yong
September 17, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Hi Waleed,
Thanks for the contribution!
Jestine
Rohmell Brills
September 17, 2012 at 2:37 pm
i am using the Atten 850B SMT rework station for about 7 years at home. I demonstrated the device at my job and they were so impressed that they purchased a unit and are looking to perhaps get another one.
Jestine Yong
September 17, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Hi Rohmell,
Thanks for knowing another good brand in the market.
Jestine
Andre Gopee
September 19, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I recently bought a Radio Shack Digital soldering gun, Model 64-053, 60watts, this soldering gun has 3 preset values. It can go from 150 Deg C to 450Deg C, it take between 30 to 40 seconds to reach it set temperature. This gum is great the tip is solid and don't bend under heat like the cheap ones. I like this gun and recommend it.
Andre
Jestine Yong
September 19, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Hi Andre,
Thanks for the sharing.
Jestine