Soldering iron broke - time to upgrade?

[trumpus]

Hey all,

After only a few months, my cheapo 25W iron from Radio Shack has broken!  The screw that tightens the tip in place was stuck and upon trying to tighten, i snapped the head off - now the tip is quite wobbly.

No big deal - it was pretty inexpensive.  But now i need a new one.  Should I go ahead and upgrade to a soldering station-type deal, or just get another cheap one from radio shack?

Any specific recommendations for soldering stations - trying to stay under $50...

Thanks,
Brian

[gaussmarkov]

Try the search function using:  cheap solder station or xytronic or just solder station. There is a lot of stuff here.

Many have this one and love it: http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

Remember to get some 63/37 solder if you don't already use it. There's nothing like a good iron with good solder. :-)

i got the one peter recommended and it's been great.  $39.

[reverberation66]

lol...laughing with you, not at you, I had the exact same thing happen to me with a radio shack soldering iron...mine was loose too after I broke that little screw off thinking that was how you changed the tip, wrong move...I rigged it up to where it works fine though, took a little straight pin, like you would find with a sewing kit or whatever and jammed it into the hole on the barrel and that keeps it locked into place so it doesn't wobble around.  not a very good soldering iron but it was on sale for like $6.50 or something right when I was getting into making fx a few months back, I've built about 12 or so stompboxes with it and it still works...ultimately I want one of those weller soldering stations but I figure I'll wait until this one dies.

[jimbob]

"Many have this one and love it: http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501"

I might have to drive down there some time soon and buy one. They look great- almost a too good to be trus based on the info I read and the price.

[D Wagner]

Try the search function using:  cheap solder station or xytronic or just solder station. There is a lot of stuff here.

Many have this one and love it: http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

Remember to get some 63/37 solder if you don't already use it. There's nothing like a good iron with good solder. :-)

i got the one peter recommended and it's been great.  $39.

I have that soldering iron, too.  It is a great iron.  It has been in constant use since I got it over two years ago. 

I wish that I had bought this iron:  http://www.web-tronics.com/cispdeesdsas.html   It is easier to replace or change irons, and it even has SMD tweezers that you can add on for an additional $29.  I never thought that I would be doing surface mount stuff, and now I regret not having that option.  But, it is a good excuse to pick up another soldering station.   

DW

[Fret Wire]

Like everyone else says, this soldering station is nice.
http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

Add this solder to your order: great stuff.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6262

Then, find another $1 worth of stuff to get your order to $50, and you get a choice of one of the three free gifts below.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/190

A great way to start out....a soldering station, good solder, and a decent DMM, all for $50.

[rockgardenlove]

My Rat Shack iron crapped out in the exact same way...
I'm looking for a new one now, thanks for the link
Added to the bookmarks till I decide what to buy.