soldering iron

jaudio · 1st March 2006, 02:47 PM

Is the Black & Decker dual- temp craft and soldering iron any good?

One thing it has different tips, some of them might be good for smd components.

Does anyone have experience with these iron?

hifimaker · 1st March 2006, 03:28 PM

You might consider looking at the Weller wes51. They are under $100, have a wide range of temp control, and you can get a huge variety of tips for under $5 bucks. I use the standard tip that came with the iron and bought a needle point tip for smd's. It's also ESD safe.

Works awesome and they have a great reputation.

Sorry no personal experience with B&D models, I did not realize they made soldering irons.

-David

jaudio · 1st March 2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dw8083
You might consider looking at the Weller wes51. They are under $100, have a wide range of temp control, and you can get a huge variety of tips for under $5 bucks. I use the standard tip that came with the iron and bought a needle point tip for smd's. It's also ESD safe.

Works awesome and they have a great reputation.

Sorry no personal experience with B&D models, I did not realize they made soldering irons.

-David

Thanks for the reply

I might buy the weller in the future but the Black & Decker is $20 at Homedepot.
It has odd tips even one shaped like a leaf

Brian Donaldson · 1st March 2006, 06:17 PM

$20 soldering irons will give less than $20 results. Black and Deckers tool quality has really fallen off in the last 5 years. If you really can't spend more than $20, Then get Ungar with interchangable elements and tips or watch out for a deal on a used station. Once you've used a temp controlled quality Iron, you'll never go back.

Glowbug · 2nd March 2006, 11:07 AM

If there's even a remote chance you're going to be doing SMD work, you want the best quality tools you can afford

Hell, surface mount is damn annoying even with the proper tools

BobEllis · 2nd March 2006, 11:21 AM

I have a CSI station 1A http://www.web-tronics.com/solstat.html

Although I have never used a real quality soldering station, this does the job for me, even with SMDs. Worlds better than the cheapie blister pack irons. $50 with a bunch of tips.

BWRX · 3rd March 2006, 01:29 AM

I've got the CSI 2A and it's comparable to a Weller station which I use daily at work - only it's a lot cheaper! I build and rework boards that use all surface mount parts. 0603 size and up packages are easily soldered with normal or flat/chisel type tips and some sort of flux (liquid or pen dispensed). Either of the CSI stations are great for the price. The tips don't seem quite as good as Wellers but that just means you have to do a little more work to keep it clean.

anatech · 5th March 2006, 02:20 AM

Don't touch the B&D iron.

For most PCB work, you need a ground referenced tip, not a hard ground. You also will need a controlled tip temperature.

There are many good controlled stations for $100 or less. Not getting one of these will cost you more $$$ in so many ways.

-Chris

Nordic · 5th March 2006, 04:54 AM

SOmeone in of of the trade threads said he was sitting on a few nice soldering stations and irons only needing tips for $40 or somethiing... looks like a bargain

dfdye · 7th March 2006, 10:03 PM

Well, I hope you guys are right about the CSI irons. I just picked up one of the 1A models and am keeping my fingers crossed!

David

1st March 2006, 02:47 PM	#1
jaudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	soldering iron Is the Black & Decker dual- temp craft and soldering iron any good? One thing it has different tips, some of them might be good for smd components. Does anyone have experience with these iron?

2nd March 2006, 11:07 AM	#5
Glowbug diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NC/McLean, VA	If there's even a remote chance you're going to be doing SMD work, you want the best quality tools you can afford Hell, surface mount is damn annoying even with the proper tools __________________ Jim J.

3rd March 2006, 01:29 AM	#7
BWRX diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania	I've got the CSI 2A and it's comparable to a Weller station which I use daily at work - only it's a lot cheaper! I build and rework boards that use all surface mount parts. 0603 size and up packages are easily soldered with normal or flat/chisel type tips and some sort of flux (liquid or pen dispensed). Either of the CSI stations are great for the price. The tips don't seem quite as good as Wellers but that just means you have to do a little more work to keep it clean. __________________ Brian

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
looking for a soldering iron	Shpoop	Parts	38	8th September 2008 02:58 AM
42 VAC soldering iron	Jan Dupont	Parts	2	8th August 2008 03:48 PM
For those of you in the UK who need a new soldering iron	5th element	Parts	2	26th March 2004 10:58 AM
What soldering Iron?	sleepy	Everything Else	27	23rd October 2002 10:37 AM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

1st March 2006, 03:28 PM	#2
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	You might consider looking at the Weller wes51. They are under $100, have a wide range of temp control, and you can get a huge variety of tips for under $5 bucks. I use the standard tip that came with the iron and bought a needle point tip for smd's. It's also ESD safe. Works awesome and they have a great reputation. Sorry no personal experience with B&D models, I did not realize they made soldering irons. -David

1st March 2006, 06:17 PM	#4
Brian Donaldson diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Texas, Love it or leave it	$20 soldering irons will give less than $20 results. Black and Deckers tool quality has really fallen off in the last 5 years. If you really can't spend more than $20, Then get Ungar with interchangable elements and tips or watch out for a deal on a used station. Once you've used a temp controlled quality Iron, you'll never go back.

2nd March 2006, 11:21 AM	#6
BobEllis diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Upstate NY	I have a CSI station 1A http://www.web-tronics.com/solstat.html Although I have never used a real quality soldering station, this does the job for me, even with SMDs. Worlds better than the cheapie blister pack irons. $50 with a bunch of tips.

5th March 2006, 02:20 AM	#8
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Don't touch the B&D iron. For most PCB work, you need a ground referenced tip, not a hard ground. You also will need a controlled tip temperature. There are many good controlled stations for $100 or less. Not getting one of these will cost you more $$$ in so many ways. -Chris

5th March 2006, 04:54 AM	#9
Nordic diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	SOmeone in of of the trade threads said he was sitting on a few nice soldering stations and irons only needing tips for $40 or somethiing... looks like a bargain

7th March 2006, 10:03 PM	#10
dfdye diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA	Well, I hope you guys are right about the CSI irons. I just picked up one of the 1A models and am keeping my fingers crossed! David

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read