Recommendations for Soldering iron

This subject popped up just a few weeks ago.  I would do a search of the forum.  But Hakko are the best.

Weller 70watt

This is an updated one of the solder kit I use - my older unit temp control is a rotary knob, but the temp is steady and reliable. Soft heat tolerant cord and light and easy handling for the delicate work, but strong enough to heat up a stamped metal choo-choo frame that needs a ground/neutral wire.

For soldering wire to my track, I used my Weller 100/140W gun.

I prefer the older Weller 100/140W gun with the tip nuts, the newer one with the setscrews is a PITA, they're always coming loose.

For all my other soldering work, I use my Hakko FX-888D.  I got my Hakko on Amazon a few years back, it replaced my old Weller soldering station.

I have the old standby Weller just like John’s.  It has the tip nuts that make it easy to change tips.  I found the Hakko that John showed on Amazon.  It looks great

I'd retract my recommendation for the Weller gun if you can't find a used one with the tip nuts.  I'm sure Weller saved at least a dime going to the crappy set-screws!

John and Mark have a point - and I am still fond of my old weller pistol/gun - it has a little more power for soldering wire to track, and the tip contact surface is ideal for track wiring

My Weller pistol style is going on 7 years old from True Value.  I can always find the replacement tips at the store, like last week.

I am thankful for the LED light which projects on the soldering subject.  Under the layout jobs the LED is a must. A great attribute. 

I didn't do much soldering under the layout, I used lever-nuts and the DZ Breakout Boards, that covered most of the wiring.

Yep... We did just do this from 11/29 - 12/1

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ecommendation?page=1

But as stated above Hakko.

This dinosaur has a Weller gun with nuts that's probably 50 years old and still going strong (no styrofoam in my case). It's great for small work: heats fast, has lights, and readily available replacement tips at the local hardware. For soldering to track or my 12 gauge bus wires, I prefer my even more ancient American Beauty true iron with thermostatic controlled rest. Tons of heat, takes time to heat up, but can stay hot for hours. I bought mine used about 20 years ago, and it was probably more than 30 years old then. If any of my grandchildren had interest, it would likely outlive them. Too much for soldering leads to DZ1000 switch machines,  DZ1008 switch controllers, or even old Radio Shack pushbuttons, but best for soldering direct to rail or large conductors. Only a torch has more heat.

@Ken Wing posted:

This dinosaur has a Weller gun with nuts that's probably 50 years old and still going strong (no styrofoam in my case). It's great for small work: heats fast, has lights, and readily available replacement tips at the local hardware. For soldering to track or my 12 gauge bus wires, I prefer my even more ancient American Beauty true iron with thermostatic controlled rest. Tons of heat, takes time to heat up, but can stay hot for hours. I bought mine used about 20 years ago, and it was probably more than 30 years old then. If any of my grandchildren had interest, it would likely outlive them. Too much for soldering leads to DZ1000 switch machines,  DZ1008 switch controllers, or even old Radio Shack pushbuttons, but best for soldering direct to rail or large conductors. Only a torch has more heat.

I was thinking my Weller has to be 50 years old too

Unfortunately my 45 year old Weller 100/140 Watt Soldering Gun I got as a high school graduate gift from my parents in 1976 fried itself in 2021. I probably had hundreds of hours on it and never a problem until the transformer caught fire. Well obviously it went out in a blaze of glory that day. I bought a New Weller 100/140 Watt Soldering Gun Model 9200. They certainly don't make the Guns and Tips like they used to. Very disappointed in both. Soldering Gun overheats and shuts down if you use it more than 5 minutes, and tips burn up and break like crazy. I have the brass ball container, I clean up and retin tip before and after each use. Been using solid copper wire and having better luck than factory wire tips, they always break on the bottom side of the wire tips, obviously a design flaw, but they don't bother to correct the problem.  7135w Tips and Gun made in Mexico and obviously no quality control like when they used to be made to last in the USA. Sad isn't it? Keep the old ones and old tips if you have them. I have tried contacting Weller (now owned by another company) and that company repeatedly and they never reply. They have lost me as a customer. I'm done with them. At least I still got my old trusty over 50 year old Radio Shack 40 Watt pencil Soldering iron that still works just fine yet. Yes, that was made in the USA too. I miss the good old days.

I still using my late dad's Weller 100/140W soldering gun which he bought at Penn Jersey auto store back in 1969. I did have to replace the original power cord about 2 years ago with a repro Lionel ZW power cord which is a perfect replacement.

This one has been passed down through my dad's family.  It was given to me in 1989 by my Uncle who also used it for electrical work.  I love this gun.

It even says right on the box that it's for hobbies

For anyone wanting one of these vintage babies made with with the retention nut, here's a link to where they can be purchased used for peanuts:

https://www.google.com/search?...&sclient=gws-wiz

@SteveH posted:

This one has been passed down through my dad's family.  It was given to me in 1989 by my Uncle who also used it for electrical work.  I love this gun.

It even says right on the box that it's for hobbies

For anyone wanting one of these vintage babies made with with the retention nut, here's a link to where they can be purchased used for peanuts:

https://www.google.com/search?...&sclient=gws-wiz

Ok, Ok.....I know I should not have, BUT after clicking on the link you supplied, I clicked on the first link on that page that caught my eye! I know.....bad boy, bad boy!  Sorry,

https://www.thewinerynyc.com/w...wheated-bourbon.html

Thanks for all the recommendations.  I will try to remember to use the search function in this forum before posting in the future.

As always, this forum is a wealth of knowledge!  Thanks!

That cardboard box reminds me my late father's Weller gun is probably still on the shelf above his workbench. I guess I have a backup in case anything ever happens to mine.

Also, love the line on the box about "one year guarantee" when so many of us have used them for decades.

I've broken several of the newer tips, but I always have had only myself to blame: banged the tip into something, or snagged the cord knocking the gun to the floor. Can't pin any of mine on Mexican labor. I always keep at least one spare tip on hand.

Who knew a soldering gun could be so sentimental?

I forgot to say in my post last night that I also have a little battery powered Weller soldering iron that works perfect for light quick jobs and the two Energizer AA Lithium batteries I'm using are about a year old and it still worked fine this morning when I converted a Williams loco to series. 

I have had great luck with this little ECG soldering Iron. It has an on-off switch that is very handy and heats up very quickly.  Its small tip makes it easy to use with track.