Looking in to a variable temp soldering station

[virus692]

I have only bought fixed ones. I am looking at a cheaper one and was hoping for thoughts...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/virus692/15860.jpg (http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=461)
Linked Picture
I ordered this one on X's comments.

[Lord Maul]

I own that one. Works fine for me.

I made a thread a while back on good soldering irons...Damn. Another thread I forgot to index.

[Ghostbat]

I got Fry's base model soldering station a couple years ago. I think it was 40 or 50 bucks and it is so damn worth it!

For one thing the ease of use is incredible, getting just the temp you need then next time you use it the temp is just the same, so nice. For another thing it lasts a lot longer. Those little $6 cheapies are actually pretty expensive when you have to replace them monthly :)

[xwingband]

Yeah, a good iron is one thing you won't feel you're missing until you get a nice one. I got mine from MPJA.com It's a dream compared to the crappy one I had before.

I usually use 700 degrees and go down to 500-550 when I have uber-sensative parts like the opamp I had to solder on a headphone amp project.

[savyas]

I just got back from Fry's where I picked up a Hakko 936. It was more than I wanted to pay, but I'm tired of crappy irons.

[virus692]

Thanks guys.

I have hopes that this is better than the fixed one from radio shack. Sabers have worn a well in it's tip ...

[virus692]

Not wanting to start a new thread I did want to share this about re-flowing PCB's with a electric skillet.
more than one part.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/present.php?p=Stenciling