Hi,

The cheapest temperature-controlled soldering iron out there is the
$35 STATION1A from Circuit Specialists:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

I would highly recommend this soldering iron to hobbyists.  I have
used a number of professional closed-loop systems, and this one is
just about as good.

The tip lasts for about a year of daily use.  Replacement tips are $5
each from Circuit Specialists.   I took a chance on some eBay tips
offered by seller "coldfusionx". 10 tips for $15 buy-it-now + $5
shipping.  If you wait for an auction, you can get them for as low as
$8. They arrived in a couple days and they fit perfectly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250100446606

Regards,
Mark
markrages@gmail
-- 
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for most of the world,
no matter how hard people work at it,
nothing of any significance happens.
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