Soldering tip question.

[pinkphiloyd]

As long as I'm asking questions today, and excuse me if there's a more appropriate section, but this seemed like it to me.  I use a Weller iron, model SP23L.  Does anyone know where I can get some precision (for lack of a better word) tips that fit this model, or do I just have to suck it up and get another iron?  All the tips I've ever found are pretty broad and clunky.

[HOTTUBES]

I'm not sure what your budget's like , but i love my Hakko !!
and they make all kinds of tips for these irons .....
If your going to be using a iron alot for projects , i can't recommend this enough !!
I paid 88$ new for this 3 years ago !

I have heard tech's say they have had these units for years with no problems !

[Hides-His-Eyes]

what "format" are the tips it takes?

[EATyourGuitar]

weller irons that come with ST3 should swap to the smaller ST2 or ST1 or even the conical tip if doing SMT/SMD. not sure what tips your weller takes.

[kvandekrol]

You can get a unit almost identical to the Hakko for half the price here:

http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

They're having a legitimate sale on this right now - it's nearly always $40 but now it's $30. I've had mine for over a year, but I know others here have had it for longer. Mine's still as good as the day I bought it, and I'm still using the original tip too. The good thing about this is that it's modular - the tips are of course interchangeable, but you can order a replacement iron itself for much cheaper than the full station if for some reason it goes bad.

[LucifersTrip]

As long as I'm asking questions today, and excuse me if there's a more appropriate section, but this seemed like it to me.  I use a Weller iron, model SP23L.  Does anyone know where I can get some precision (for lack of a better word) tips that fit this model, or do I just have to suck it up and get another iron?  All the tips I've ever found are pretty broad and clunky.

that iron is $12 ppd so don't blow too much on the tips
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00018AR4A/ref=sr_1_10_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1307934485&sr=8-10&condition=new

[HOTTUBES]

You can get a unit almost identical to the Hakko for half the price here:

http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

They're having a legitimate sale on this right now - it's nearly always $40 but now it's $30. I've had mine for over a year, but I know others here have had it for longer. Mine's still as good as the day I bought it, and I'm still using the original tip too. The good thing about this is that it's modular - the tips are of course interchangeable, but you can order a replacement iron itself for much cheaper than the full station if for some reason it goes bad.

30 $   ya can't go wrong with that IMO !!!

Cool Link !!

[PRR]

The Weller SP23L probably only takes the 1/8" tip.

That's an excellent all-round tip for a $12 iron.

I used to pay (in 1980s money!!) $10 for handle, $12 for element, and $1-$5 for tips on the better "modular"  Weller which took a 1/8" chisel-tip.  They changed the heck out of it: the similar model is now "Weller SL335 Modular soldering iron with 7400 Handle, 1237S Heater, PL113 Tip" about $45. This will do big work (octal tube sockets); if you only do smaller stuff there is probably something better.

The Circuit Specialists offer and selection of optional tips is probably very worth the extra price over the $12 iron. Circuit Specialists has been in business for decades doing stuff like this: real geeks for geeks.

> had these units for years with no problems

My oldest mod-Weller handle is cork which means pre-1969, and still my favorite (though getting fragile). I've owned 4 or 5 heaters swapped between two handles, all bought 1975-1988, still used today, only ever had one fail, even when left on 25/5 for years.

[pinkphiloyd]

Yea, I think I'm gonna have to update my entire unit.  I've been messing with this stuff long enough now that I think I can justify the expense, ha ha.  I didn't wanna drop 40 or 50 bucks when I was starting out because I was afraid I'd get frustrated and would move on to something else though.  After several boxes and most recently, a 5f4 clone, however, I think I'm hooked.

[trixdropd]

I really like this iron. On year 2.
http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000I30QBW