Aurora wrote:Since you say 230V, I assume your going to Europe...
it would make things easier to help you, if you'd say where you're goin'....
Just bear in mind that prices this side of the pond are quite stiffer thn in US, so ebay might be worthwhile......
I was in Belgium recently and tried to find a solder iron there but no luck. I actually go to a few different locations in the east, west. It turns out that 230V is the most common voltage. I always carry the entire selection of plug adapters and such. My cell phone and laptop are setup for world power so it doesn't matter if I have 120 or 240, same power supply either way... solder iron technology is not there yet.
The more serious vendors that operate throughout europe and EU, are co's like www.RS-online.com www.farnell.com www.elfa.se
but these carry the more common brands like Weller, Antex, Ersa etc which usually starts around 3-400$ and upwards...
www.maplin.co.uk have some interesting stuff around 100$, but I don't know any of these models..... I assume they ship everywhere within EU without any customs papers, as is common inside the EU. www.Ebay.co.uk might be another solution.....lots of stuff there,
Last edited by Aurora on Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Tacima ones are nice quality toroidals for a sensible price and you can retain familiarity with the soldering station and tips that you're used to.
I did just that, with a step-up, when I moved across this side of the pond.
Otherwise I'd heartily recommend a Pace unit if you want to get a European voltage station.
Thank you guys, I am seeing several options now. I really like the WES51 solder station I use here and the Euro version would be great or the voltage matching transformer would also work with what I have.
My hesitation in using that combo is that tools can have a pretty high vapor pressure from drop off at the ticket counter to pickup at the baggage carosel... depending upon which country I am in... including my own. The less it costs to replace the less likely I'll need to sorta thing.
Anyway, there seem to be a bunch of options out on the table now and I am greatly appreciative!
I found a solution that I wasn't really expecting... a battery powered unit. It's not equivalent to my shop solder station but it's more than adequate and actually holds a charge long enough to solder up a complete preamp board. It uses four AA rechargeable batteries and the charger works on 120-240 VAC. I keep two sets of batteries and so far haven't had any issues. Thanks for thoughts and help on this. rj
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RJ Guitars wrote:I found a solution that I wasn't really expecting... a battery powered unit. It's not equivalent to my shop solder station but it's more than adequate and actually holds a charge long enough to solder up a complete preamp board. It uses four AA rechargeable batteries and the charger works on 120-240 VAC. I keep two sets of batteries and so far haven't had any issues. Thanks for thoughts and help on this. rj
Which one did you get? I just needed one over in Europe and ended up taking a gas one with me, but of course you have to empty out all the gas before you get on the plane. Each way!
A rechargeable one, if it's any good, would be a good thing to have in the toolbox.
I am using a HAKKO FX-901... A decent unit and it seems the price was pretty good although I can't recall what I paid. Here is a little more info on it. http://www.applefritter.com/node/10572 I agree with this review that it's not a replacement for a desktop unit, yet very handy. Now the trick is not to set off the smoke detectors in hotel rooms... I have not done that yet but I spose it could happen.
I am certain I won't be able to stop myself from re-flowing all the solders when I get back to the workbench just as an added measure of comfort and security but this unit allows a little hobby work while on the road and doesn't take much extra space in my bags.
