Decent Soldering Iron??

[jambandphan03]

I am hoping somebody can steer me towards a decent soldering iron that actually works. I got a $10 basic soldering iron, which get hot as heck (burned my finger on the side of it, smart huh?), but the tip just does not want to melt the solder. It looks just like the one being sold at madvapes. Either I am just not doing this right, or my iron sux. Can anyone recommend one that works well for modding? I am thinking a finer tip might be better, trying to get down into the connectors and tight spaces. I don't want one that cost hundreds of $, just a decent affordable model that will be worth buying. I had a very frustrating time just trying to solder one wire to the center of my 510 connector this morning. I know I am new at all of this, but it's not supposed to be this difficult to melt some solder is it?

[karmatized]

wellar makes some awesome soldering irons. some good fine tipped ones easy to hold at that.

[hatchetforyou]

i use an inland 100W that i used for rc and slotcar soldering. works great, many tip styles, cheaper than a weller

[Rocketman]

Marlin P Jones (MPJAdotcom) has some cheaper soldering irons that are decent quality. Much better than what you will find at TheShack . They have a really cheap 30 watt with LED light, I like it, and have used very expensive equipment before.

Check out their site, it you are looking for a soldering iron then some of their other stuff might interest you also.

Another site to check out is MCMelectronicsdot com.

[VaporX]

wattage is important, also a clean tip

and make sure the tip doesn't wiggle, if its loose it wont get hot

[similost]

I have one of these soldering stations. I work on a lot of old tube amps, and really needed something with a lot of control over the heat.. you can't beat the bang for the buck with this..

I've had it over a year, and it has gotten hours and hours of trouble free use..

Amazon.com: AOYUE 936 Soldering Station: Electronics

[j0ker]

I have this variable station that's only $25 and it works great.

Variable Temperature Soldering Station - ACS1503

I also would have to agree with VaporX, most likely your problem is a dirty tip. If I were you I would keep a wet sponge nearby to clean the tip periodically and also just before you shut it down. Sounds like this may be the problem you are having.

[Rocketman]

I bought this one also, but have only used it about a month, works fine.
MINI SOLDER STATION-MPJA, Inc.

and the cheap iron to leave at work in the desk (I work Graveyard and can Hobbyshop a little)
30W LIGHTED SOLDERING IRON-MPJA, Inc.
This little cheapy I love.

Rocket

[schaedj]

Typically the problem is not the heat, it's the tip. Go to Radio Shack or whatever local electronics supply store you have, and get some tinning compound. It's a light acid (flux) / solder compound that cleans and etches the surface of the tip and deposits a thin layer of solder on it. Heat the iron, runn it over a wet sponge a few times (nice sizzle), then run it through the tinning compound. When you're done, you should have a nice shiny layer of solder over the end of the tip. Makes all the difference in the world.

[jambandphan03]

my iron was new, I let a friend use it, and they returned it all black on the tip. I gently ran a razor over the surface, trying to clean it, and thought I got the bulk of the "gunk" off, but I guess not. I will try to clean the one I have, and still search for a better one in the mean time. I will have to check out those links. Thanks everyone for all the great advice!! this forum ROCKS!