This could be ok if RadioShack sold replacement tips that were finer. If they sold fine conical or chisle tips, I could use this iron on a project that uses an IC. But they don't. The tip is way too fat. Radio Shack sells lots of cool stuff, but I don't understand why they don't sell a range of replacment tips for this unit.

i bought this to build a electic guitar preamp pedal, and a switching box, i would have had no complaints but it only lasted through those two projects, the tip melted and became completely flat and unusable, i tried to remove the tip so i could get a new tip, but the screw wouldnt budge at all and ended up stripped.

By 674895 from On the coast on 6/11/2008

I've had one of these for over 10 years and have had no problems with it. The 15W works fine with small gauge wire and small diameter solder. The 30W setting works good for fast heat up and to desolder large terminals or working with larger gauge wire. Keep the tip clean and go.

The tip is too fat for me and as far as I can tell you can't get thinner tips for this iron, only the same size replacement.

By Will S. from Weston on 10/21/2007

My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner. It's perfect for whatever you want to do. It won't burn through your circut board, it gets hot enough for metalwork and it won't desolder joints, while soldering a nearby joint. But hot enough so that if your using solder with rosin in it the rosin will go deep into whatever your soldering. It also heats up at a fair speed.

I bought this iron, then went looking for a 'macrame' tip. I couldn't find any that screw into it. Took it back.

It works, but it isn't great. 30W gets way too hot (it can warp the tip if you don't get the metal coil holder that dissipates heat), and 15W isn't quite enough. It is too underpowered for anything big (like antennas or multiple 12 gauge wires). It is OK for an occasional user, but anyone who plans to do a lot of soldering will probably appreciate a nice temperature-controlled iron.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

This product soldered QUITE well... for about 20 minutes. It then began smoking. Apparently, there is some threading inside of this thing designed to insulate two wires to transfer heat. Mine caught on fire and the metal broke, as well as the tip splitting in half. I found the only thing of value from this was the screws to hold it together and the AC cord, which I salvaged before throwing this away. Trust me: SPEND THE 10 EXTRA BUCKS OR SO TO BUY 2 SOLDERING IRONS IF YOU REALLY WANT BOTH! Do NOT risk injury with this cheap 2 - 1. It doesn't work, unlike plain old seperate soldering irons. NOT RECOMMENDED!

I have not noticed any "warping" while leaving it on 30w, however the 15w setting is useless -- hardly creates any heat. Save yourself the money and get a normal 20-30w iron.

Works fine for me.

Great beginners iron, works fine, but don't leave on 30 watt for long, it warps the tip.

It does what it says it is supposed to do, and does it well. Could do with a better stand than the one included, though.

Cheap. Low quality construction.