Soldering iron recommendation

[Twincam]

My old iron is not performing as it should (typically when I need it) so going to buy a decent new one.
Needs to be a decent wattage suitable for typical soldering of pots etc and hopefully not too expensive.
Any recommendations?
Thanks

[spyder]

I've got a Weller WHS40.
About £90.
Works great for all my soldering needs.

[FinnDave]

I bought a 25 watt Antex iron from Maplins about 25 years ago and it's still going strong.

[neepheid]

I have something like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercury-703-260UK-Switchable-Soldering-Stand/dp/B000L9A08M

20W normally, 130W if you hold down the boost button - great for getting some heat into pot casings for earth points etc.

[YouMa]

the tips are the important part.

[icastle]

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1458836623' post='3011410']
I bought a 25 watt Antex iron from Maplins about 25 years ago and it's still going strong.
[/quote]

Those go on forever, I've got a 17w one ('cos I'm so delicate ) that I must have had for a similar amount of time.

[KingBollock]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1458859932' post='3011724']


Those go on forever, I've got a 17w one ('cos I'm so delicate ) that I must have had for a similar amount of time.
[/quote]
Same here, 17w and about the same age.

[Chienmortbb]

I have bought loads of irons over the years but keep going back to the Antex. One of mine is like trigger's broom, New element new tips, only the handle is original but it must be 40 years old.

[ahpook]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1458859932' post='3011724']
Those go on forever, I've got a 17w one ('cos I'm so delicate ) that I must have had for a similar amount of time.
[/quote]

I only had to replace mine as I rolled a chair over it.

[Grangur]

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1458836623' post='3011410']
I bought a 25 watt Antex iron from Maplins about 25 years ago and it's still going strong.
[/quote]
Malins didn't exist when I bought mine 40 years ago. Still going strong.

[MoonBassAlpha]

The Portasol gas powered ones work well and don't cost the earth. Well worth checking out.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oryx-Portasol-Technic-Soldering-Iron/dp/B00419XT7W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1458893480&sr=8-5&keywords=portasol+gas+soldering+iron

[Kirky]

My Antex one is great too, a vast improvement on my previous bog standard Marlins one.

[Zombie1965]

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/pro-iroda-solderpro-120w-gas-soldering-iron-n14ar"]http://www.maplin.co...ring-iron-n14ar[/url]

0r

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/pro-iroda-pro-150-30w-to-125w-gas-soldering-iron-n25ed

Just got this a few months back, its brilliant, solder anywhere easily. Faster than electric too. Gas was an extra £5 but will last ages. look around though cos i got mine for £32

Edited March 30, 2016 by Zombie1965

[Pentode]

Weller or Antex.

Use a damp sponge in a stand to clean the tip and try and have a couple of spares handy.

[Twincam]

Went with this temp controlled station
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/48w-mains-solder-station-n34fb?cmpid=ppc&gclid=COLNovvZ6csCFTUW0wodl_EIeg

Had a quick go and seems really decent hopefully it will hold up as long as my old weller did.

[neepheid]

Don't like the wet sponge. Prefer to vigorously dip the tip into some of this stuff:

[Twincam]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1459414267' post='3016239']
Don't like the wet sponge. Prefer to vigorously dip the tip into some of this stuff:


[/quote]

Haha at vigorous dipping of your tip

[neepheid]

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1459519960' post='3017374']
Haha at vigorous dipping of your tip
[/quote]

Chafes a bit, but that's the point