Choosing a low-middle of the range soldering iron...

[TaDa]

Ok, I want to step up from the standard pencil iron to a temp controlled one.
I'm an infrequent user but when I do use it i don't want to wait around.
I also have a problem of not maintaining my irons (I'm not proud of it - just know my limitations) so anything that is easy to look after would be good.
I typically make small protoboard/pcb (through hole) circuits and/or solder cables together.

So if my budget is around £60 which iron(s) should I be thinking on?

Cheers

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I would suggest the Antex irons, I've been using them for decades.

Unfortunately the don't make one-piece temperature controlled irons any more (due to them not meeting current interference requirements), and a seperate base and iron are quite dear.

Having said that (perhaps it was only low voltage ones they stopped?), I've just checked on Maplin, and they list the one I have at home:



No maintainence required - at least mine's never had (or required) any.

 

[ericgibbs]

hi,
This link you posted look OK to me.
https://www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/p9814/Weller_WHS40_Temp_Controlled_Solder_Iron/product_info.html

 

[TaDa]

Thanks.
Will these work with the lead free solder? (I hadn't realised this had become a requirement!)

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Thanks.
Will these work with the lead free solder? (I hadn't realised this had become a requirement!)

It's only a requirement if you want to work with lead free solder - with a temperature controlled iron you simply turn it up.