When solving a number of domestic problems, it is impossible to do without convenient to use and reliable in operation soldering devices. This can be either a common tool for soldering small radio components and assembling electrical circuits, or a heating device of a special design used to join polypropylene pipes.
How to choose a soldering iron
The characteristics that are considered before choosing a soldering iron for the home are completeness, operating power and the presence of additional functions. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Power
Performance indicator - developed power (from 5 watts for miniature USB products and up to several hundred watts). Powerful soldering irons are represented by hammer-type models and some samples of EPSN.
Nozzles
To understand how to choose a soldering iron is to get acquainted with a set of interchangeable nozzles that expand its capabilities. In relation to products for soldering electrical circuits, this is a set of tips. To work with pipes made of polypropylene, these elements are represented by nozzles applied to various calibrations of tube blanks.
The choice of the shape of the tip and its size is determined by the tasks posed during the specific work.
Soldering Iron Tips
They also differ in the material used in the manufacture and the protective coatings applied over it.
Additional functions
The most prestigious soldering iron samples have the following options:
- The ability to adjust the temperature of the heating tip.
- The presence of a special device that allows you to suck tin from the place of soldering.
- Execution in the version of the soldering station equipped with a power regulator and a heating hairdryer.
Soldering Station
Important! The presence of additional functions will expand the capabilities of the tool and increase the soldering efficiency.
Using a soldering station allows you to work with miniature SMD elements and microchips in a BGA package.
Types and rating of the best soldering irons
What types of soldering irons are better and which are worse - we will find out after reading their assortment. The most famous models are listed below:
- nichrome soldering irons;
- products with a ceramic heater;
- pulse and wireless soldering irons;
- tin suction tools;
- children's soldering irons.
Let's consider them in more detail.
Nichrome soldering iron
The peculiarity of EPSN models is that their spiral is made of nichrome (a heat-resistant nickel-based alloy).
EPSN soldering iron
A wire of nichrome is wound on a base with a sting placed in the inner space, and on top is insulated with a mica pad and fiberglass cloth. The advantages of EPSN include:
- Unpretentiousness in work and good maintainability.
- A wide range of operating capacities (from 25 to 200 watts).
- Affordable price.
- Resistance to mechanical damage.
Among the drawbacks of EPSN models include prolonged heating, as well as a limited resource with intensive use (the spiral quickly burns out during soldering daily).
Ceramic soldering iron
Products of this class differ from previously considered models in that a ceramic tube is used as an insulator (while the winding is made of the same nichrome).They relate to pseudo-ceramic soldering irons, significantly different from the branded models, in which both the heating element and the insulating gasket with a thermocouple are made in the form of an integral tubular structure.
Ceramic soldering iron
To distinguish a fake from the original ceramics, it is enough to study a wired eyeliner, which has 4 threads in a pseudo product (two for a nichrome spiral and two for a thermocouple). Its other distinguishing feature is its low cost.
In the original product, we can clearly distinguish the film heater, laid in the thickness of the ceramic in the form of paths and a thermistor with a snake-like coating, in light. The main difference between the original and the fake is its high price.
The advantages of ceramic-based products include:
- speed of heating;
- maintaining a given temperature regime with intense heat removal from the sting;
- high heat dissipation at limited sizes;
- long terms of operation;
- resistance to intensive workloads.
The disadvantage of the product is the high cost and fragility of the built-in heating element. Add to this the limited use of nozzles (the tip from other samples does not fit this model).
Hammer soldering iron
This variety of soldering devices is a rare species that is most often perceived as a retro style product and not pretending to be rated. In the modern version, they can be heated over an open fire and have electrical power.
Outwardly, they resemble a “G” -shaped design with a thick tip, similar to a hammer (this was the name).
Hammer soldering iron
It is used for soldering dimensional parts, thick wires, pipes and tin products. The advantage of these soldering devices is their high power reaching 250 watts. Their disadvantage is the inability to maintain a fixed temperature.
Impulse Soldering Iron
Unlike all previously considered product samples with pulse heating, the tips are turned on only when you press a special drive button. The heating time is set by the user, which allows energy saving. Due to the rapid heating of the spiral, the quality of the soldering does not suffer from these limitations.
This soldering iron is best chosen for working with small electronic components. The basis of the design is the following nodes:
- Frequency converter.
- HF transformer.
- Microprocessor control.
Pulse device
In shape it resembles a gun, which is explained by the need to keep the button pressed during soldering.
The benefits include:
- Quick warm up at the touch of a button.
- Profitability.
- Convenience of soldering small and relatively large radio components.
The disadvantage of the model: the inability to thoroughly warm up the soldering place during long duty cycles.
Cordless soldering irons
Wireless products are in demand in situations where there is no electric network near the place of work, which forces the use of autonomous power (batteries or accumulators). The power of such a tool is very small, so its use is limited to a narrow range of tasks.
Wireless product
Its advantage is independence from external power, and the disadvantage is low power.
Portable USB Soldering Irons
Miniature or portable soldering irons with the possibility of power from a USB input are used to solder small radio elements and microcircuits in the absence of nearby electrical outlets with sockets.
USB soldering iron
The advantages of this brand of sleeping bags include compactness and high heating rate, and limited power is considered a drawback.
Tin suction iron
Soldering irons of this class are basically the same EPSN or ceramic devices, the kit of which includes an additional device designed for suctioning the solder. It can have the following designs:
- In the form of a tin suction piston built into the body of a soldering iron.
- An enema-like rubber compilation.
- In the form of a suction tube wound on a rod.
These models are in demand when disassembling printed circuit boards and soldering radio elements. Their application allows you to maintain the integrity of thin tracks and pads.
Soldering iron with integrated suction
Soldering iron for children
These products are intended for burning. They are safe to use and very simple in design, which is determined by their intended purpose. Children's samples are part of the training kits available at their cost.
Top ten brands
Soldering Iron Rating:
- KVT XZ-1 (10th place according to rating). A multifunctional soldering iron for working in hard-to-reach places with three operating modes and a set of nozzles. There is a smooth temperature control over a wide range. Cost - from 1900 to 2912 rubles.
- Dremel VersaFlame (9th place in the same distribution according to preferences). Universal soldering station with fast heating of the working area. It is equipped with four interchangeable nozzles and can work without interruption for 75 minutes. The cost of the product is from 2680 to 4609 rubles.
- Sigma 200W (8th place). Pulsed solder fixture in the form of a gun with a robust housing. The replaceable sting of the product is made of especially durable steel material. The kit provides 3 nozzles for various types of work. The maximum temperature reaches 400 degrees. The cost of the goods is about 800 rubles.
- Lukey 852D Plus (7th place). Powerful soldering station (up to 350 watts) with a maximum temperature of up to 480 degrees. Its main advantage is simplicity and ease of use (the set includes a stand and holder with a circuit breaker). The station is equipped with a temperature controller. Price - from 5250 to 6590 rubles.
- REXANT ZD-708 (6th place). This model is an electric soldering iron equipped with a ceramic heater. There is also a power regulator (adjustment range - from 30 to 50 watts). The handle of the product is made of heat-resistant transparent plastic. The cost of the product is from 590 to 1099 rubles.
- Lukey 852D Plus FAN. In fifth place - a soldering station with variable power up to 350 watts and a working heating temperature of up to 480 degrees. The price of the product is from 449 to 5890 rubles.
- CT-96 (CT-Tools). On the 4th position is a ceramic soldering iron with the ability to change the operating temperature in a wide range of values (from 100 to 400 degrees). The heating time is two minutes, after which the tip temperature remains stable. The power of the product is 50 watts, and its cost reaches 530 rubles.
- PROXXON EL 12 (28140) - 3rd place. Wireless soldering iron, with a temperature controller integrated in the housing and a stabilizer for heating the tip. Heats up for about 10 seconds. It is lightweight and has built-in backlight. Cost - from 1300 to 1550 rubles.
- REXANT HT-019 (ZD-210) - 2nd place. An electric soldering iron equipped with a vacuum suction that collects tin residues. The convenient handle of the product is made of durable and shock-resistant plastic. Power is 40 watts, and the operating temperature reaches 450 degrees. Its store value is from 280 to 520 rubles.
- Dremel VersaTip (1st place). Very easy to use and light gas soldering iron that performs several functions at once (burner, so-called “hot” knife and heat gun). There is a smooth adjustment of power, and the temperature can rise up to 1200 degrees. The kit includes 6 nozzles. The price of this device is from 2545 to 3199 rubles.
Soldering irons for polypropylene pipes
When selecting these models, the following points are taken into account:
- Existence of the expanded set of calibrated nozzles.
- Convenience of work (availability of a special support for pipe billets).
- Power usage.
- The cost of the kit.
Given these factors, a rating of the best soldering iron samples for polypropylene pipes can be compiled. The following are ten samples of original products.
Rating of the best soldering irons for polypropylene pipes
In the first place among soldering irons for polypropylene pipes is the multifunctional gas apparatus Dremel Versatip 2000-6. It works on butane and has an average cost of 2700 rubles
Dremel Model
In second place is the Gerat Weld 75-110 69110 welding device. Its working power is 1600 watts.At the same time, the kit includes an expanded set of nozzles, and it itself contains a built-in thermostat. Price - 4700 rubles
Relatively cheap devices include a BRIMA TG-171 0010291 soldering iron, in which the power does not exceed 750 watts. When using it, they manage to get a reliable and durable joint. With standard equipment, its price is about 4000 rubles. The following 7 places were divided:
- Soldering Iron Prorab 6405-k.
- Product SPECIAL PTP-1000.
- Soldering Iron Elitech 800.
- Model Wester DWM 1500.
- Sample from the manufacturer Elitech СПТ 1000.
- Soldering iron ENKOR ASP-1500 / 20-63.
- Model Candan cm-03.
When choosing a soldering fixture, be guided by the official and unofficial ratings given on the Internet.
