Soldering Iron vs. Soldering Station, which one to buy?

[ngd]

Back in my student days when I did most of my soldering I hadn't heard of a soldering "station". I used the standard wooden-handle ones. Now that I am planning some DIY audio projects I started googling around and I discovered that there is something called a "soldering station". It is unclear to me what the advantage is. Is it easier to work with? Is it "safer"? I have seen temp controlled irons, so don't think that is the distinguishing factor.

That brings me to the 2nd part of this question: what to buy? While I am aware of the adage 'a bad workman blames his tools' and the usual responses of 'my Rs 200 iron is great', which I am sure it is, I would like to buy something that makes my life easier. Something that is convenient for a beginner like me. I work hard Monday to Friday, so I can afford something better for me if it better to work with I can spare about 5k for the iron.

Any inputs will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[omishra]

Soldering stations nothing but the temperature controlled soldering iron with controller and stand. May be added with light and magnifier lense.

For hobby like we do (audio applications), soldering rods like goot 40W or solderon 25W will do. If you want better control go with temperature controlled rod with 12V heater. For some cases of smd soldering you may need fine tip, that could be separately added with rod like solderon.

For 5K budget people can suggest you better, I know Weller as one brand.

 

[reubensm]

Soldering stations are pretty cool but I still get a kick out of soldering with my old solderon 25 watter. When I was in school, I used to have 2 Takai Delhi make soldering irons, one of 10 watts and the other of 25 watts rating. It was fun using the old techniques of soldering like using a long-nose pliers to hold a transistor leg, while soldering.

 

[ravi_d]

That brings me to the 2nd part of this question: what to buy? While I am aware of the adage 'a bad workman blames his tools' and the usual responses of 'my Rs 200 iron is great', which I am sure it is, I would like to buy something that makes my life easier. Something that is convenient for a beginner like me. I work hard Monday to Friday, so I can afford something better for me if it better to work with I can spare about 5k for the iron.

I would recommend Hakko FX888 Soldering Station. It might go slightly above your budget if you have to pay import duty. But this is all you would need for your through-hole and that occasional smd soldering requirements.
Buying replacement parts and various tips for Hakko are cheaper (though have to be imported) than Weller.
I own the older (now discontinued) Hakko 936 soldering station and the newer replacement fx888 is better than it.

 

[kGr99]

With your budget, you can get a brand like Hakko or Weller. I have a weller station that by dad bought in the early 90's.I have been using it for the last 2 years and it works wonders even today. Only changed a tip so far.

During my college days, my experience with the cheaper soldering irons in the range of Rs.100 to Rs. 1000 has been disastrous. They are never consistent, die out frequently and insane waiting times for the tip to heat. It always ended with me stopping my work and doing something else out of frustration.

 

[greenhorn]

Hi all
I am planning to build some LED bulb replacements for my vu meter lamps
Due to the space constraints in the vu meter, I had ended up trimming the LED and the leads too much, which i suspect caused its premature failure
Considering using SMD LED's - have never used them before.
Please recommend what's the bare minimum of equipment i need to solder 6mm*3mm smd led's onto a dot PCB? I already have a soldron soldering iron, but i suspect i would need a finer tip - is that sufficient, or do i Need more stuff ?

Also, i have rather clumsy hands - managed to get good solders after a lot of practice-

 

[greenhorn]

Thanks
Ordering a pointed tip now. Youtube videos on smd soldering showed some sort of liquid flux being applied with a syringe - do I need some different flux? or is the thick shoe polish type local variety sufficient?

 

[gopib]

Hi, I have used a regular pointed tip soldering iron, but with a flux pen. This is available online at theaudiocrafts.com , I am sure you may get it elsewhere also,

cheers