I have a crappy soldering iron from radioshack that simply doesn't work well. It only melts the solder at one place on the point (i've tried to change the tip it doesn't change anything). Anyway I am starting a rather large electronics project and I need a good one...can you guys recommend a decently-priced soldering iron that gets the job done pretty well? Thanks everyone! ::EDIT:: how about this one at allelectronics? looks pretty good....http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=IR-230&type=store
i saw this at frozencpu: http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/slt-06.html?id=R2BCYrtP its wireless and apparently it heats up and cools down fast. i havent used it but you might want to take a look at that
get one with plenty of power, a few tips and a decent stand. A full on soldering station like http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=IR-360&type=store would be good if ur planning on doing a lot of work and it should last a long time but jus a bit pricey tho :S
I got given one of these http://www.portasol.com/technic.htm and its so so much better than my old electric one lasts quite a while on a full refill and highly portable
I like very much the JBC soldering irons, they have a nice range of tools. You can take a look at www.jbctools.com I have two irons with diferent powers, i like them very much
I wouldn't recommend you to get that. at 800 Fahrenheit in less than one second (which i highly doubt) it will be impossible to work with. You'll fry IC's and sensitive components instantly, start to melt tracks off cheaper boards, burn off flux way too quick, etc. If you're serious about soldering you need a variable iron with a good selection of tips. About £40/£50 should get you set up properly.
if you actually look at how the cold heat iorn works you will see it is posible. it works abit like a small arc welder. (has a tip thats spit in 2 and when it makes contact with a metalic object it shorts out. and causes heat. this heat sometimes causes a spark to form. so in theory you cna solder delicate ICs with it if you keep dabbing it rather than continually hold it to the joint.