Need a better soldering iron

I have what I think Maplins called an "economy" soldering iron that I picked up about two years ago for something like £5. Trouble is the tip it has is rather large, plus I don't think it gets as hot as all that. Using it properly to get the metal you're trying to join hot enough to melt solder is always tricky anyway. So, I'm looking for a half competent soldering iron with a smaller tip, any suggestions? In the first instance I want it to terminate some cables with Eichmann bullets but I'd like it to be up to soldering components on/off PCBs should the mood take me.

Cheers,

Martin

 

get yerself an antex,my 18w cs has lasted me a number of years,replacment tips are easily avalable in a usefull range of sizes.even though its olny 18 watts it gets hot enoungh for most things i throw at it

 

Cheers TMH.

 

CPC has them Martin, see www.cpc.co.uk

might get one myself actually as mine's on its last legs.


here it is http://custom1.farnell.com/cpc/prod...ies+-+ANTEX+Soldering+Irons&product_id=266119

 

Looks like you can get them straight fron Antex to:

http://www.antex.co.uk/

I'll have to check out postage etc. to see which is cheaper. I'd end up ordering some other stuff from cpc though, so that's probably the better option...

 

Or an Antex XS, which is 25watt. For some odd reason I have 4 of them...? The only downside is the cable is a bit stiff, which means it might not stay still when you put it down.
Also sometimes useful is one of those portable butane gas powered ones, although they get ferociously hot compared to electric

 

They seem to come with two types of cable, PVC and silicone rubber, presumably the rubber ones will be more flexible and avoid this problem?

 

I would say as with irons by or make a rest one that is heavy enough to take your iron it gives you so much more confidence, those cheep light weight types can be beefed up by adding metal to the base plate, all up for a fiver a great investment.

Stuart

 

call a company called seme, do a search, they do those solder stations at the mo. like the bigger good uns in craplins.or if you can still get em for £30 from maplin.
I got one and I love it.
£30, last years.

 

Cheers for the help guys, I ordered an SK9 kit from Antex at lunchtime (essentially a 25W iron with a stand), along with a second smaller tip. They were helpful when I e-mailed them so I thought I'd buy direct, plus other sources didn't seem to have what I wanted in stock.

 

A big thumbs up to Antex.co.uk - the soldering iron was delivered this morning, less than 48 hours after placing the order .