Radio Shack Digital Soldering Station

"My only complaint, so far: the tip that comes with it is very long and narrow, so it was not useful to me when trying to replace capacitors in a power supply board for a TV using braided wick, as was called for in my process.



It was only by looking through the reviews for this product that I found a comment listing the item numbers for the many other tips available."

"Despite a few very negative comments from others, as has been pointed out by those with the "Most Helpful" comments: Tips for this soldering station are READILY AVAILABLE. And I would add that they're not only available online by searching for "900M soldering tips" but they're also available through your local RadioShack store - if the employees know/remember how to order parts.



In case they don't remember, ask them to check for "RSU parts" for this product. (It's in their computer system under Products.) They've got 9 different sized tips available as well as replacement parts for just about every other piece of this unit. (Right down to the fuse.)



BTW - "RSU" stands for Radio Shack Unlimited. And using RSU your local Radio Shack can get individual parts for not only this station but just about any other product they put their name on.



Thanks to my local RadioShack for educating me on that info!



As for the iron itself...



I was amazed at the speed at which it would heat up. Having previously used Weller soldering irons, which would take minutes to heat up to a temp where they would melt solder, I was shocked to see this up to temp in seconds.



I haven't had it long enough to determine if it will have another problem my Weller irons had: the irons themselves melting. However, since this heats up SO fast (meaning I'll be able to get the work done and shut it off MUCH sooner), and there was no sense that the handle was getting even slightly warm, I doubt this will become an issue.



Being a "Casual DIYer" - I won't claim to have experience with top-of-the-line soldering stations such as MetCal. But then those are 3 to 12 times more expensive than this one.



I would like to have seen them update their literature that's included with the station to include two things:



1) Directions on how to get replacement parts (to put to bed, once and for all, the complaint that tips/parts supposedly aren't available.)



2) A chart or general guideline to show what temperatures (or ranges of temps) are recommended for different uses and/or solders. And maybe some description of differences in the solders. (60/40, 63/37, Lead-Free, Silver-Bearing, etc.) That would serve Novices MUCH better, and only cost a little time (for the person who wrote it up) and a bit of paper.)



But the lack of those things in the Literature are by no means a reason not to buy this. (Having read this review and the other "Most Helpful" reviews will answer the 1st problem, and you CAN research the 2nd problem online for yourself if needed.)"

"PEOPLE PLEASE

It is so frustrating to read reviews from folks who don't have a clue how to post a review.

1. The iron works great...that is what the review is about..not the store....not the clerk...the iron.

2. It is just as good as a weller

3. The tips are found on the brands website

Now to the 3 crazy people who were told at the store that the store did not have tips so they bought a new machine while laughing at the clerk...are you nuts. why buy a new machine without going to the website to find out the truth instead of a min. wage clerk.

Now to the people who bought the machine before they read the reviews and were very upset to find they needed to buy the tips on-line. read the reviews before you buy

Let's move onto those who keep rating the iron as a one because the store does not carry the tips...helloooooooo rate the store as a one the iron works good so give it a five so we know it is a good product.

If you must list it again in your post even though post after post after post says there are no tips......don't

Be helpful

List where you can find the tips if you MUST say anything."

"To those who want different types and replacement tips, the tips for this station are 900M series. The station manufacturer, Madell Technology, has a website listing the available tip specs. Madell's model number for this unit is AT201D. Go to Madell's "Rework stations" site and follow the link to "Solder Tips". A link for the AT201D correction values is mid-page. It directs you to a jpeg containing the detailed specs for the tips. Google "900M soldering tips" to find sellers. Apparently, Madell does not manufacture the tips, and therefore, does not sell them to Radioshack corporate. However, some franchised stores will have them. Check your local store for availability.



Thank you to the Radioshack associate, whose diligent efforts resulted in discovering this information. You have a return customer."

"I bought this station based on other reviews, and I'm glad I did. It is super fast to heat up, and I have no problem with tip corrosion. I use it to rework vintage amplifier and system boards. The temp control seems very precise, and best of all, it wasn't outrageously overpriced like other products that begin with 'W' and end with 'eller'. If you want spare tips, get on Google and search 'hakko 900m tips' and you will find them."

"Dear Radio Shack. Almost every user of this thing is going to want a larger tip to take advantage of the power of the iron. Not including the extra tips in the store or on your website with a link is a sin. You guys need to fix that. Its really ridiculous to source an iron like this without a solid link to replacement tips. The tiny tip that comes with it is good for really smallish work, but to do any larger work (which is why I bought a powerful iron in the first place) you need a bigger tip. Come on!"

"Thanks to Radion Shack for re-branding this item at a good price. I highly recommend this item.



Just be careful when you make your purchase and be sure that the tip is in the box. That RS will not keep tips on the shelf, not even on-line at RS.com, has led some folks to open the boxes and steal the tips.



One RS manager I talked to is aware of this and keeps the soldering stations in stock storage so ASK if you don't see it on the shelf when you go to buy it. Also, many RS clerks don't know much about what they sell unless it's a common item (such as a cell phone) so ask for manager when you want to get more tips"

"Formerly working as an electronic tech and maintenance mechanic and seeing plenty of Weller's go kaput after a couple of uses, I can't see why anyone would be complaining about this little unit at about half the cost of a comparable model.



The screen is easy to read and temperature setting is extremely precise. The presets are also a favorite so that you don't have to dial it in to where you want it every time.



I like the fact that the iron holder is separate from the control unit, allowing for a bit greater flexibility in unit locating although the cord from iron to control center is a bit short for my liking.



The shorter barrel length on this unit works a lot better with my rather shaky hands than the usual "long-barrel" soldering irons that I've used in the past and it really is just an absolute pleasure to solder with this thing.



Probably more iron than you need if you only solder once in a while, but if you're going to be soldering with any sort of frequency, whether for work or at home, then I would highly recommend this unit."

"Radio has not manufactured anything on its own since the late 1960's. The Shack's digital controlled soldering station (Part # 64-053) is seeming is the same unit as Mandell's AT201d Solder Station. With that said Mandells tips fit and work as they should in the Radio Shack Solder Station. Price of the tips as of today's date, range from $5.75 to $10.95 depending on the tip.



So, for those of you with sour grapes who complain that you can't find tips, they are available. You just need to know where to search for them I even found the replacement pencil, for this unit."

"Good iron for money. Note on tips -- RS doesn't keep them on the shelf nor do they have them on-line at the RS web site but you can get your RS manager to order them through RSU, Radio Shack's custom parts ordering service. They have about six of the most common tips available.I ordered the small chisel tip (RSU Catalog #12463923)when I purchased the soldering station."