开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 开云体育
  1. QRPLabs
  2. Messages
Single Messages Topics Expanded Polls

Re: Soldering Station Recommendations

 

开云体育

??Dave,

The best investment I ever made is the Donegan Optical Loupe. ?I had two from my medical practice. They are worth the money (the Donegan brand) but like everything else the Chinese knockoffs are good also. Here is one that is recommended and looks like my original ones: ?


I also use frequently the add on flip down loupe:

This is a Donegan product and I found it quite useful. ?It fits on the front of the head loupe.

Also this lighting system has been useful for years:

?Worth the extra money.

I bought my originals from Micro-Mark but they seem to be out of stock on a lot of these items. ?My Donegan units are 30+ years old and still working and holding up well. I can’t vouch for the Chinese items but they are cheaper. The Donegan OptiLoupe runs about $70 for the basic head unit with one lens. ?I use the 2x lens 99% of the time but you can figure that from any “readers” you usually use. I use 2.5 x readers for reading and for shack close uo work but keep a set of 2.75, 3, 4 x readers in construction booth. ?

As for soldering stations I have used the Solomon brand from Amazon for years too.
This is a newer version. I use two of them, one for a fine tip and one with a heavier tip for larger items that require more heat like BNC and power connectors.

As for solder, I use Kester 60/40 that I buy from Steve, The Solder Man at Dayton. Easily available. ?Do NOT use lead free solder.

Nuff Sed,
?
Be the REASON someone smiles today.

Dave K8WPE

On Dec 24, 2024, at 3:15?PM, Curt wb8yyy via groups.io <wb8yyy@...> wrote:

?
Dave
?
You don't need a boatload of equipment. Also note focus is through hole construction. Don't need paste, just quality solder. I see plenty of nice enough gear out there. Definitely temperature regulation. Some swear by Hakko but others may be good enough. You may want a stand magnifier. All this should easily be in your budget.?
?
Oh I built my K2 with a plain soldering iron, but I suggest a modest investment in a soldering station.?
?
Curt
?

Join [email protected] to automatically receive all group messages.