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Stahl Tools STSSVT Variable Temperature Soldering Station

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Average Customer Rating:	3.5
Brand:	Stahl Tools
Weight:	1.75 pounds

Product Categories

Soldering Equipment; Eco-friendly (special_merchandising_browse-bin)

Product description

The Stahl Tools variable temperature soldering station is designed to exceed the expectations of veteran technicians—at a price that's appealing to the electronics hobbyist. Many different soldering tasks are accomplished easily by using the adjustable 5 to 40 watt temperature adjustment. The lightweight pencil iron features a fatigue-reducing rubber grip, and a Bakelite-ringed holder keeps the iron at the ready. A field replaceable, precision ground, iron-plated solid copper tip provides maximum heat transfer, minimizing cold solder joints. Includes tip cleaning sponge. Additional tips available for a variety of soldering applications. Stahl Tools—The Technician's Friend™

Features

On/off switch with "power-on" indicator light

Variable heat setting

Cushioned rubber grip

Replaceable heating element

Quality performance at a discount price

Customer reviews

« Love it! »

this was by far the best purchase i have made in quite a while. yes its cheap and yes it looks like a toy, but it does everything that i need it too. i bought it and the 4 replacement tips, thus far couldn't be happier. the only thing i changed about mine was that the sheath (i don't know what its really called but the metal thing that you put the male end into) didn't stay in very well so i super glued it. that was it, yes i does smell by the way for about 5 minutes the very first time as it burns off all the extra garbage. but after that no problems. I highly recommend anyone on a budget who needs a soldering gun to pick up this little guy.

Rating: (5 out of 5) @ 2010-07-08

« Budget priced solder station »

I've only used this soldering station once so I don't yet have depth of experience with it. So far it has functioned very nicely for me.

I've read other reviews of this, or a similar, product and heard some complaints of quality control issues. One reviewer mentioned that smoke poured from the iron when he first turned it on. I had no problems. It did smoke a bit when I first plugged it in and before I successfully tinned the iron. Perhaps heat dissipation is not effective until the iron is tinned. Anyway, it worked perfectly once the iron was tinned and it was very nice, in a inexpensive iron, to have temperature control to match the work being done. Construction quality appears to be quite good - better than the price would suggest. Of course, I can't see inside the housing but all the components are tight, the cable to the iron is heavy duty, the protective insulation on the iron is secure and functional. In short, it's better than one would expect from the price.

Rating: (3 out of 5) @ 2010-06-12

« Very decent »

I had good luck with this soldering station. It's a great buy for the money, especially since there are stations far more expensive. The variable temperature is nice, and it comes with a sponge as well. My only complaint is the tip size. It's not overly big, but it's just a little bigger than what would be ideal for me.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-02-18

« Great product for a low price »

I am a moderate user of soledering station. This soldering station is a
great product for the price. It arrived on-time in good shape. I am
extremely satisfied with the product.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-02-14

« No vote of confidence in this one »

I purchased this soldering station in July and was not able to find the time to work on the project I bought it for, until now.

Out of the box it looks impressive for the price and in my case it was all looks and no substance.

First time out of the box, I switched it on and after a few minutes, with it starting to heat up, I began smelling that awful acrid smell of plastic wire insulation overheating. I thought ok, maybe it's just burning off some type of residue from the heating element tube or the tip so I'll let it go a bit longer.

After an additional 5 mins, I then noticed a steady thin stream of smoke emanating from the "vents" at the front of handle just behind the heating element base. With the smell getting stronger, and I yanked the plug from the outlet.

Before I purchased this item, I read the reviews on the Parts-Express.com website, who is the actual seller via Amazon.com. It's a mixed bag of reviews, there many that love them and there were many that had problems and hated them... seems like the quality control is hit and miss with some people lucking out and get a good one while others get one that's a complete dog.

Woof-woof... it's not worth paying half the cost of the item in postage to send it back for a replacement, so I'm just going to toss it in the trash and along with the money that would have been spent on postage, I'm buying a better quality soldering station (even if the price is much higher), because I just do not trust the quality and/or safety of this product.