Soldering Iron under 50$

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jump to Latest
audiostrat

audiostrat

Member
Joined 2012
#1
Hello people,

I am searching for a good soldering iron under 50$ = 40 euros = 30 pounds.

My two main competitors are:

(1) Antex 15W or 18W
(2) Ersa Multitip 15 or 25

I would like to know the following, if you have such experience:

(1) Is any of them more durable than the other?
(2) Is the Antex type of tip more versatile than the Ersa? (the Ersa is pencil - like, the Antex is the typical cut type)
(3) Is seems like wattage determines maximum tip temperature - in that sense, would it be better to use a 15-18W iron for jobs ranging from soldering resistors to soldering power trannies? (regular work, no need to solder pipes together)

The Ersa seems to be a bit pricier. Is it really worth it? Or would a 18W Antex leave me satisfied? 🙄

Thanks for any input in advance!
 
#2
At this price point, you are looking at crap, crap and more crap or used not-so-crap. So basically, if you want new, your only option is limiting how bad it is going to suck. NEITHER of the ones you linked to is something I would recommend, even to a beginner. The wattage is WAY to low to be useful in most situations and there is no temp control. This combination means you are going to be FIGHTING your tool instead of learning how to use it. Before my current station, I had a knock-off 936 station. It was hands-down better than any single temp soldering iron I have ever used. It wasn't perfect, in that it was slow to heat up, the tips were lower quality, the handle could get a bit warm, etc but it worked and I learned to solder with it. I didn't have the soldering iron fighting me and ruining my results. Earlier this year, a local store had the Hakko FX-888D on sale for $65, this is night and day better than the knock-off 936 station. It's rapid heating, the tips last and last, it is truly a joy to work with. Don't bother buying an FX-888D from anywhere but a distributor or retail store. They are SO heavily counter-fitted I think you might not even find a single one on ebay that is legit. That's how bad it is.

If it were me I would at minimum save up for something like the FX-888D or the old weller WES-51. With these, if you mess up, you know it is your fault, not a limitation of the tool.

If you really can't afford, then go with one of the myriad of 936 knock-offs out there from Yihua, Atten, WEP, etc. They are all so-so at best quality but will be better performing that the soldering pens you mentioned. If you step up your price slightly ($10-15), you can even get one of the stations that has both the integrated soldering iron AND hot-air soldering wand for SMD work like this.

Your only other option besides new is to pickup something used. The Weller WES-51 is a common inexpensive one that MIGHT fall in your price range. If you can find a genuine Hakko 936 (once again lots of knock-offs) then it will fall in that range too and will have similar performance to the FX-888D (they use the same tips).

You have a variety of directions you can head, so if you give me a bit of feedback on what you are thinking I can help you narrow down the selections a bit.
 
#3
You need something in the 25-35W range for general purpose work. IMO folks here tend to overstate certain irons and solder as being critically important for diy. Learn to solder well with 60/40 and a good cheap iron, and you'll then be able to handle most any soldering job with most any tools. Save for a future upgrade and keep the old as a spare.
Ask yourself... Does a person need a $20 screwdriver to tighten the door hinges, or will one from the $0.99 store also do the job?
 
#5
I have an ANTEX 21W (used but the tip is undamaged) for 30 EUR is yours.

There is also an used JBC 25W (pensil tip) but this has bright new genuine (never used) tip, for 45 EUR is yours.
What ever you choose comes as tested, with fast ELTA postal service, that is two days of patience.
I can accept payment due Pireos bank or PayPal.
PM me if you are interested.

All prices including shipping cost.
 

Attachments

  • 111111.jpg
    111111.jpg
    469.6 KB · Views: 250
Last edited:
#7
 
#8
audiostrat said:
Hello people,

I am searching for a good soldering iron under 50$ = 40 euros = 30 pounds.

My two main competitors are:

(1) Antex 15W or 18W
(2) Ersa Multitip 15 or 25

I would like to know the following, if you have such experience:

(1) Is any of them more durable than the other?
(2) Is the Antex type of tip more versatile than the Ersa? (the Ersa is pencil - like, the Antex is the typical cut type)
(3) Is seems like wattage determines maximum tip temperature - in that sense, would it be better to use a 15-18W iron for jobs ranging from soldering resistors to soldering power trannies? (regular work, no need to solder pipes together)

The Ersa seems to be a bit pricier. Is it really worth it? Or would a 18W Antex leave me satisfied? 🙄

Thanks for any input in advance!
Click to expand...
You can buy ERSA or ERSA or ERSA.:smash:
 
#10
Thank you for your input!

I would like to clarify things a bit, since some of you asked:

My main soldering tool is a Weller WECP-20 station. It is wonderful. So I am searching for a cheap one for two reasons: one, to fit a soldering iron in a small desk where I plan to do little jobs (like soldering a guitar effect pedal). Two, a friend of mine would like to buy one to start similar work, but has such a budget limitation. But yes, I think he can climb up to 60-70$.

I will carefully evaluate your recommendations, and post any questions here! Thanks again! 🙄
 
#11
KatieandDad said:
I've used Antex 18W for years. The only fault I have found is that the elements need replacing fairly frequently.
Click to expand...

I would advice to get a true solder iron holder (heavy one), I do gentle handling in all my tools, this ANTEX pictured above was purchased in 1995 and serves also as spare in my third toolbox.

I will agree with @Audiostrat that the benefits of portability is what makes us buying such tools.
The ANTEX (shaft type) is great for soldering connectors, the JBC with pencil tip is good solely for PCB, because in such tools wattage is low at around 20W the tip shape is tremendously important.
If you need to do soldering over connectors & PCB, you need both types as pair.
 
#15
audiostrat said:
, how long do the tips live according to your experience?

Do you mean that after soldering 2 boards the bit is dead, or does it die after 2 years of weekly use? 🙄
Click to expand...

Every one who demonstrates a bit of impatience about giving a full 10 minutes of waiting, so the soldering iron to get truly hot, he does destroy the tips eventually, by pressing them too hard.
(This is a general rule I am not implying anything about @KatieandDad)
 
#16
If you look after the tips they will last a lot longer, keep them clean and tinned. NEVER EVER clean them with anything abrasive. A good soldering iron stand will include a sponge, that is the most abrasive item you should use to clean the tip with. A quick wipe with a wet sponge and then re-tin with solder.

Do bear in mind the power of the soldering iron. 18W is fine for small PCB work but useless for anything above 0.8mm component leads. I've had 2.5mm cables that have required 2 x 30W soldering irons to get the heat into the joint.
 
Last edited:
#18
This one goes on sale every once in a while for $49.95. I have used one for about a year. It works fine for general PCB work and point to point work with tube sockets and such. It will solder a wire to a large copper ground plane, but it takes patience. I got it as a quick replacement when my 15 year old Xytronic suddenly died. I am still using it since the Xytronics have gotten considerably more expensive in 15 years.

https://www.parts-express.com/stahl-tools-tcss-temp-controlled-soldering-station-esd-safe--374-200
 
#19
Any 936 clone should be plenty good enough. I started out doing surface mount kits with a $7 Wal-Mart iron and continued using it for years even when I got into making my own PCBs (almost all with ground planes). I got lucky a few years back and snagged an almost new GOOT RX-711AS on ebay for $75.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom