Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I have had this one, and the stand-alone version they made years back and they work well and do the job quick and easy. These are the old Archer irons from back when Radio Shack knew what they were and what they were doing. A decent easy to find rig that should last for years and keep you happy for your hobby. They have a problem in that they do not stock these old-style tips, although Weller makes ones that fit. They do on-line. I bought a pile of them off ebay for cheap, so I expect they will outlast me. When you walk into Radio Shack and they try to sell you a cell phone, but have no idea what a resistor is, this is an old reminder of what once was.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I have had the same model iron since 2004, and it only just failed this morning. 9 years of heavy use will take it's toll on anything, but this iron held up remarkably well. I am a PC tech and have used this to solder everything from AC jacks, to RC cars, to all kinds of other misc. electronics. For the price you can't expect much, but it has been good to me. Since mine finally gave up the ghost, I plan on purchasing another.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I have a number of older soldering irons and thought I'd get this one for the convenient base and temperature control. I like the basic design, but the one tip supplied with the unit lasted one small job (amp reverb circuit). The tip is completely eroded. So, starting a new project and needing a new tip, off to RS only to find that they don't stock the tips. The guy in the store was clueless. So, tomorrow, I'm off to buy a tip for one of my older irons, and thinking of wiring it into the stand. A very poor product if you don't stock replacement tips.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I find it absolutely intolerable that Radio Shack does not support this and other soldering irons they sell with replacement tips in stock. Yes there a few tips but none for the top end models Even store associates do not understand why. The product detail on the box and on the website does not even list a replacement tip. How ridiculous.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I have used this iron on and off for several years. The design is fine and I like the dual power settings. Unfortunately, tips must be special ordered. While using it for a project today, the tip failed and I had no replacement. The local store doesn't stock so I dug out my old Weller 25W. WOW. The Weller has much higher heat at 25W than the RS iron has at 40W...

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

I like the soldering station & its features witch is why I bought it. The fact that tips are not available in the store but the soldering station is does not make any sense, is very inconvenient & frustrating. They can be ordered if you call your local store & have them look it up for you. They have to be prepaid & ordered in store. This is rediculous.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

The only replacement Radio Shack tips I've seen are chisel tips and the big chunky heavy duty four sided pointy tip. Weller PL138 and PL111 tips also fit this iron if you need conical tips

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

Don't buy it

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

Once you dump the stock tip, it's actually a pretty decent soldering iron. The power cord between the iron and the base is a little stiff and sometimes gets in the way. The replacement light and medium duty tips that I've been able to find on RadioShack.com (64-119 and 64-2089) are all chisel tips.

Comments about RadioShack Soldering Work Station with Dual-Powered Iron:

Handle got excessively hot, tip would not heat enough to tin the tip