Mark Rages wrote:
> 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 really like the SL10 also from circuit specialists.   Haven't tried 
the cheaper ones yet - mainly because I have used the SL10 off and on 
for at least 15 years now and have been very happy with it.  The 
original SL10 (and the close cousin the the SL-30) were in a lab I set 
up with a friend for a business we didn't really get off of the 
ground.   When I needed to buy another one I bought the SL10.  I now 
have two (one for ChipQwik work), and have considered buying a third one 
for a different workbench, although that will probably be put aside 
since I'm being dragged kicking and screaming into surface mount and 
lead free assembly.

I do have a lead free unit also for circuit specialists still in the box 
which is going in the lead free assembly room as soon as it (the room 
itself) gets some sheetrock on it.

In general, my shop looks like an advertisement for circuit specialist 
gear.  (I've got the 2 SL-10's, a desoldering station, a hot-air rework 
station (don't use much - just because hot air doesn't seem to be my 
thing yet - and that I discovered chipquik), an assortment of 
multimeters, a DC load tester, an IR thermometer, and probably a few 
other things from them that I can't remember right now.  Generall the 
stuff is good, usable, quality and is as described.   I wouldn't 
necessarily call it industrial strength, but for a small shop without an 
infinite budget their stuff is great.

-forrest
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist