My First Soldering Station

[spencer]

I think I would like to get myself a soldering station. I learned to solder on a cheap Radio Shack variable power pencil iron. It really was a cheap one. The end would disintegrate every few months so I would have to take it to the angle grinder and put a new tip on it. I was looking around for solder locally and found this place that has some pretty decent soldering stations at a good price. I have narrowed it down to three. They are:

Hakko 936-12 for $99.95
Weller WES51 for $108.95
Weller WESD51 for $155.95

I know these prices sound kinda high for all the Americans but if I get say a Hakko for $80US (I think thats a pretty low cost for this unit) by the time I get the currency conversion and pay for shipping its higher than my local cost. I would really like to support the local guy here.

I know the Hakko is very highly recommended here but was wondering if the Weller is worth the extra $9. I don't think the WESD51 is really the one I want because I don't think I need a digital display. Other than the digital display I think the two Wellers are the same.

Just wondering what you guys think.

EDIT: TYPO. I originally wrote Hakko 939. It is now changed to 936.

Thanks,
Spencer

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

From what I learned when I was looking for a soldering station is that Hakko makes a great machine and Weller's quality has slipped as of late.

I love my Hakko 936, and I paid a bit more for my 936 than you can get that 939 for, even though the 939 is a more advanced model. If you can get it at that price, go for it :thumbsup:

 

[65535]

I love my WESD51 BUT the plug is wonky and it goes into error mode is the pins don't make good contact, which happens often.

Otherwise it's great.

 

[s4biturbo]

I have only had my 936 for a little while, but with some nice tips, she works like a champ. Heats up in no time and maintains temp perfectly. I don't know how I got away with using the radio shack POS for all these years.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

Here's a link to my earlier thread. Inside that thread are links to other threads on soldering and soldering stations.

 

[spencer]

I just purchased the Hakko and I love it. Never again will I be able to to back to a POS cheap iron. It heats up SOOO fast.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

Congrats!

Happy Soldering