If "best" includes a reasonable price as well, then from my experience I would recommend the Hakko FX-951-66. For about $300 usd new, I cannot imagine you can buy a better soldering iron. I purchased mine 2 years ago on Amazon and have used it on a very regular basis with great and consistent results. I purchased a kit which had 6 different sized tips and a weighted metal tip holder included as well (amazon link <https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX951-66-T15-D08-D12-D24/dp/B01BI39P1M/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2CKGLZG3XK2TO&dchild=1&keywords=hakko+fx-951&qid=1590946241&sprefix=hakko+fx%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-2> ).
Of course, the solder and flux you use will also play a big part in your results (with skill also being an obvious factor). I use Amtech 4300LF tacky flux which is simply the best water soluble stuff out there. It stays where you put it, has great wetting properties, and cleans very easily. In addition to Kester 331 flux core water soluble eutectic (63/37) solder, I rarely have a problem getting pads or leads to wet, and when I'm done a little rinse with water and some light scrubbing with an acid brush is all that's needed to get the work squeaky clean. But a picture is worth a thousand words, so have a look at some of my more recent projects if you want to see the results for yourself: https://neonkev.com/2020/04/30/pocket-size-%ce%b1%ce%b2%ce%b3-geiger-counter/ On Sun, May 31, 2020, 1:25 PM martin martin <[email protected]> wrote: > There I was building yet another Nixie clock from pvelectronics when my 35 > year old Weller soldering station burned up.Of course I was watching the > SpaceX mission in the background! > > So. what's the best temperature controlled iron these days? I haven't had > to shop in a very long time! > > > Thanks in advance from Southern California > > martin > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "neonixie-l" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/00372f0a-de2f-476e-bf98-c78697ecd97f%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/00372f0a-de2f-476e-bf98-c78697ecd97f%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CALcVLKKWMPU64%2BSev_h6JQ4sQ8giWG%2BObYuV5%2BnZx9eMMLpG6A%40mail.gmail.com.
