Thread: Soldering irons

I used to have a 25w variable temp Dick Smith soldering iron when I was a kid doing Dick Smith kits. Thought it was the bees knees being variable. One day it went bang in my hand and never worked again.

Originally Posted by RangieBit

Hi Utemad,

Sorry I came a little late to this thread. If you are still after the Weller stations then Radio Parts here in Melbourne sell them. Their website is here

I was picking up some coax fittings the other day and saw that they stock them. Might be worth a browse and see if they have what you seek.

I have no connection with them other being a happy customer.

I'm with Simon. My Dick Smith 25W is still going after 12 years.

Cheers,
Iain

Hakko make some pretty nice stations. Worth a look if you are chasing quality bench top gear.

Originally Posted by Utemad

I've been looking for a Weller electric soldering iron but can't find anyone who sells the good quality ones.
Was thinking the W60PD3 with a chisel tip if you can get it in Oz.
I want something quality not Bunnings junk. Even Haymans and Ideal Electrical only sold same type as Bunnings.

So what do you use and who sells quality soldering irons?


Weller®- Soldering tools, rework/repair tools, soldering guns and irons and accessories

Perhaps they're the junk ones, about $70-90 I think, but we've had a really bad run from Weller soldering irons. They have not lasted in the slightest, and almost none of them passed the test for electrical tagging.

Excluding a broken/ damaged lead or earth wire.

As electrical soldering irons have a heating element when testing them for 'test and tag' they will have a low insulation resistance reading.
This is normal and does not mean it doesnt pass, whoever does your testing should know this.
Double check with them.

Originally Posted by mattyg

Excluding a broken/ damaged lead or earth wire.

As electrical soldering irons have a heating element when testing them for 'test and tag' they will have a low insulation resistance reading.
This is normal and does not mean it doesnt pass, whoever does your testing should know this.
Double check with them.

Thanks.... that was expensive!

I bought an Aoyue968 hot air rework station with variable temp soldering iron, sure beats the crappy bunnings ones is great on fine electronics like xbox's, NDS, Play stations etc. Less than $200 .

Whats the hot air functiuon on that unit for? The fume extraction I like. For the price it looks like a good value unit.

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Whats the hot air functiuon on that unit for? The fume extraction I like. For the price it looks like a good value unit.

For BGA chip repair/ removal , also handy for heat shrink tube on wiring.