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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Fort Worth, TX on 6/17/2008
The american solder iron manufacturers make 1/4 inch dia., 2-3/4 inch length tips found at the varnier site, just not very small unless you like conical. It looks like this station is being phased out since the tips aren't even on the computer at the RS store.
from Jackson,MI. on 4/28/2008
Tips are available. A three pack from Sears,Craftsman No.954023. Also Radio Shack No. RSU 12385910.
Not a bad station for being made in the land of Junk(s), heh. Unfortunately tips are hard to find making this a useless piece of equipment and dust collector!
Recommend buying another brand made in the USA.
I have had this soldering iron I guess for a couple of years now. However my tip is completely gone and has been for sometime now. Like everyone else, I have had a hard time getting a replacement tip, the store never had one in stock and the people working there wasnt very eager to help me find one. However just yesterday I did get someone to finally help me, he looked the part up and found the tip in their database, he ordered it for me and it will be shipped right to my work. The part number is the same as the one below: 12385910 It wont be the tip that I really need, however it is a tip. I still am thinking about getting a hakko 936 simply because of the wide range of tips available.If you are going to buy a tip, do your self a favor and go ahead and order a couple, as said below the price was [$] [...]
from Menomonee Falls, WI on 4/2/2008
A replacement tip is available. If you go to any RADIOSHACK store and ask them to order you part number RSU 12385910 the tip will be shipped from the warehouse to you. At this time they are $1.99 each plus shipping.
Actually a nice soldering station, except for the fact you cannot find replacement tips. Not recommended. Buy well known brand such as weller etc.
NO tips to buy anywhere! Good quality station but no soldering tips sold! Manual says, "Go to radioshack to purchase additional tips." LIES
I can not believe Radio Shack does not offer replacement tips for this unit.
can't find tips ; RS doesn't appear to sell them ; web search show others with the same problem ; I returned mine for a Weller
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Nashville, TN on 3/1/2008
This little gem fits the bill for a great quality and affordable soldering station. One major drawback is the lack of tip support from RS. Following advice from a previous review, I ordered the Craftsman 954023 Tip Set (a whopping $2.99 from Sears) and was treated to 3 tips ... one is an identical replacement to the rather large tip supplied with unit, one is a large chisel tip (more suited toward woodburning apps) and a rather nice small tip suitable for most circuit boards including surface mount. Too bad RS didn't jump on the tip bandwagon, they would have done their typical milking for 3x the price. The temperature setting only seems to hold for 5mins or less when unit is turned off, requiring about 10sec of resetting temp if unit is left off for any length of time. Barring the cons, this is a great little unit that performs well and is priced right. Hard to go wrong with this unit. I have used it for several weeks @8hrs+ per day and am very pleased so far. The pull-out drawer for the tip cleaning sponge is a nice touch.
I've made hundreds of custom cables. Including interconnect, speaker, guitar. I also trouble shoot repairs of vintage solid state and tube gear. Now getting a little deeper into my hobby I'm finding out that their's no tips!.
Thats like selling a plasms tv without a remote. Who wants it!.
For that I drop my rating from 5 star to 1.
Very short warranty. They know how long it will last before it goes bad. Made in China. Thats the problem. Poor parts,quality control. Real cheap iron. Received as a gift but I already knew it wouldn't last as anything electronic from Radio Shack comes from china. Dont Buy!!!!!!!
Picked up as a replacement after having my main burn out. Figuring to use it only as a temporary thing it is now my main source of soldering and cant be replaced...
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I purchased this unit (not on sale) as a second station to my existing professional soldering station to move along a job. I loved this unit after using it for about 2 hours soldering audio connectors for a church installation. At that time I could have recommended it to anyone based on the great iron holder and temp control. I stored it with my other test and sensitive equipment. I brought it out last night after four months and it wouldn't work. It beeps and has "ERR" code display. I have tried everything I know and believe it to be what the manual says it is -- a bad heat sensor. Do not buy this product!
[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Pocatello, ID on 11/21/2007
I have used it for prototype and fairly fine work--no SMDs with the OEM tip, though. It maintains temp well and keeps the tip from oxidizing. The thermal overload has tripped out 3 times, and takes a half hour to reset. [...] Best heat range is 590-620. Over that and it is prone to trip out on temp if left on for extended periods. Also, make sure there is GOOD ventilation space around it.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Phoenix, AZ on 10/8/2007
Tips are a consumable. Selling a soldering iron that doesn't have replacement tips is like selling a car that you can't put new tires on.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Lincoln, NE on 10/7/2007
[...] I had passed on it before due to reports of poor durability. Before I found this bargain I had purchase another iron and tips for less. At least it came with a spare heating element. What I find this unit lacks is a different tip! The large round tip is good for larger projects, but delicate electronics are difficult with a tip of this size. Where are theT various size replacement tips for this unit? [...]The pull out sponge is nice and the stand is solid. The LCD display and push-button controls are a nice touch. It could use a grounded plug instead of separate ground wire (not included). I have not used it long enough to find out just how badly it needs a better warranty. Overall, I feel this unit is just lacking the option of a good tip assortment and replacement parts available through [...].
[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
I use this tool primarily at home for hobby electronics. Tip availability was a small problem, however Craftsman part number 954023 soldering iron tip set solved it.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Connecticut on 7/28/2007
I like this unit. Received it as a gift. I have used it, at home, for about 2 years. It is reliable and durable.However, the lack of replacement tips is VERY, VERY annoying.After some digging about, I did find other places [...]with tips that could fit. The unit takes any tip with a 3/16 inch stock.This can also be used with the neck from the RS desoldering iron (64-2060). Just unscrew the set screw on the desoldering iron and on this station and you have a temperature controlled desoldering iron!
For the price this is fantastic as I have had this unit for several years. The tip is wearing down and would like to replace it. Would also like to see a variety of tips available for different kinds of jobs. [...] Listen to what we are saying - We like the product but we want replacement tips!!!!
Lack of tips makes this useless after the tip is fouled unless you have a grinder to make new tips. The stock tip is way too big. The retaining screw is way to big. Other than that is a sturdy machine, great range control.
Great unit. Replacement tips are aval. by RSU order just see Sales Person.
Replacement tips cannot be bought anywhere - including RS. It's single use, once the tip is too corroded that's the end of the tool. Not very good value.
Great! However, I can't get the tips, and it would be nice to have a soldering temperature resource.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
replacement tips are available from the store. Just ask for RMA parts.
from Mich on 3/4/2007
A great Iron,,,,but tip,s could use fine tuning.I custum made a tip for micro soldering,,,,now it,s great.
While the unit has worked well for us, I too have not been able to find a replacement tip or a smaller one for the more delicate projects. I am now looking for a station with a myriad of tips as we speak.
I find the Handle gets Hot at 800 Degrees. Tip seems to lose Heat after Years of Ownership. I think the Element may be bad. Replaceable Tip would be Ideal, Product should be redesigned for better quality and more what a Soldering station should be for all Soldering Jobs. The Display and the Alarm when Unit is Turned On is the Bes Feature. Plastic Housing Design and Heat is not a Good Way to make a Product. You can Scorch the Housing sliding in the Iron to its Holder Easily. Charge a few Dollars more to Build a Better Unit.
This would be a good station and decent value IF there were a selection of tips available for the wand (chisel, fine needle tip, std. replacement tip, etc.)
Great deal for the price. Nice performer. Replacement tips, anyone?? I use this for hours at a time and my biggest complaint is about the large tip retaining screws. They get in the way when returning the iron to the holder...not very smooth.
I have mine for a few months and so far it has been working very well. The only issue is the lack of replacement tips which hopefully will be taken care of in the near future.
Can't find a replacement tip so the thing is destined for the trash dumpster. Don't buy it
PRO: It heats up quickly and maintains temperature well. CON: I haven't had to replace a tip yet, but I'm concerned about that after reading the comments. My two biggest complaints are: 1) the stiff cord; 2) doesn't retain temperature setpoint after power-off.
This is a great machine, just try getting extra tips for it. Radio Shack doesn't sell them. It kinda makes it useless after a couple months.
This is a good price for a solder station. The digital readout is very nice and the included detachable stand works well. I just wish Radio Shack stocked the tips and had tips for surface mount work. I had to special order a couple and grind one down. The cord is too rigid/stiff and it gets in the way. I wish mine would coil up as nicely as the picture on this website. My biggest complaint is that the selected temperature does not stay saved. It starts at 350 degrees every time you turn it on (unless it has only been a few minutes). You have to hold the up button down for about 20 seconds to reach 650 degrees. It seems to me that for a few minor changes and maybe another $10 at retail, this could have been a killer unit. To get anything better you have to spend twice the price.
i've had two and they broke within a month each
The best iorn i have ever used!
The first time I used it it worked great. But, after a few months the calibration is off. Display set for 450 degree F and reads 450 Degree F but tip temperature is less thatn 150 F. Calibration has gone to pot. So, now, a $20 soldering iron does a better job.
After a few weeks of use, unit displays 'error.' Have to manipulate the iron-to-unit cord to get error reading off. Works intermittently. Very annoying.
I'm an electronics student, and I can say this thing works great. extra tips would be nice to find
Used it no more than five time during the last month. It now displays "error" on start up and will not function. Will be returning for refund and will buy another brand.
I've used this soldering station for a couple of months now - Pro's: Changes temp to new settings quickly, maintains good control of temp. Indicates iron is hot (for a while) when it's turned off. The lightwieght pen is easy to control. Well protected hot parts works well on a crowded bench. Cons: The tip is a little big for SMDs. BIG CON: There are no replacements tips at the stores, entering the part number on the web only returns a link to the online manual which gives the part number... I'm afraid that without replacement tips that the nice soldering station will soon be a throwaway.