Soldering station

[Allan1875]

I used an LRP soldering station for the first time this weekend and this was a revelation to me.

They are a bit pricey but I have done a bit looking on Google and seen people talking about Hakko soldering stations and these seem priced a lot better.

Does anyone on here own one that they can recommend that isn't astronomical in price?

[D20MCK]

Hakko FX-888D is what you want Allan

[Ashlandchris]

Just bought a solder station from Maplins and it is superb. Was £40

[HOTSHOT III]

Originally Posted by Ashlandchris

Just bought a solder station from Maplins and it is superb. Was £40

I have one of these as well (with the different sized tips?) and it's great.

Only other thing i'd say is i've had even better results using a moistened brillo pad stuffed into a jam jar lid, it's a lot more effective for cleaning the iron than the poxy bit of sponge you get with the soldering station.

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by HOTSHOT III

I have one of these as well (with the different sized tips?) and it's great.

Only other thing i'd say is i've had even better results using a moistened brillo pad stuffed into a jam jar lid, it's a lot more effective for cleaning the iron than the poxy bit of sponge you get with the soldering station.

I use a little springy copper wool type malarkey to clean my tip and it is great. The little sponge is OK, but doesn't really clean the tip

[Allan1875]

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?

I find the sponge cleans the tip up perfectly.

[HOTSHOT III]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?

I find the sponge cleans the tip up perfectly.

To be fair the sponge works well enough, I was just very surprised the 1st time I used a brillo pad in the manner I described how much more consistent it was at cleaning the tip over the duration of a long soldering job. You don't have to go and rinse it every few joints and because it's a little bit abrasive it makes it really shiny every time.

[Ashlandchris]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

Don't want to state the obvious here but you do realise the sponge needs to be wet?.

By pure luck I only ever do soldering when I'm in the bath so my sponge is always wet

[cutting42]

Originally Posted by Allan1875

I used an LRP soldering station for the first time this weekend and this was a revelation to me.

They are a bit pricey but I have done a bit looking on Google and seen people talking about Hakko soldering stations and these seem priced a lot better.

Does anyone on here own one that they can recommend that isn't astronomical in price?

You can have the LRP in its Quick 202D version for £98 +VAT. I have one as do 2 other of my mates, superb! Also PMTech are an awesome company to deal with.

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/quick-202d-e...g-station.html

[Allan1875]

Cheers lads, appreciate the replies.

[Allan1875]

Can anyone tell me which of these is the 5mm tip that you get for the LRP station?

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/consumables/...03b-irons.html

It can surely only be 303-5C or 303-5CF? I don't want to order the wrong one. Any advice appreciated.

[Allan1875]

Originally Posted by cutting42

You can have the LRP in its Quick 202D version for £98 +VAT. I have one as do 2 other of my mates, superb! Also PMTech are an awesome company to deal with.

http://www.pmtech.co.uk/quick-202d-e...g-station.html

This arrived yesterday, absolutely magic! What temperature do you use as I think 480 isn't required for everthing. I went with 350 for doing motors etc as it seemed fine.

Actually loving it. Bit of a unit to cart about with you but really is a quality piece of kit.

[cutting42]

Outstanding! I use 350 as well, seems to work for most stuff. You only need the real hot temps for lead free soldering which you shouldn't need to do.