Just had a look at the image in the on-line leaflet, and I am disappointed to see this uses non standard tips. They are screw in tips!! :angry: why do that!? :disappointed:
Grrrrrrrrrrr to leedsfan83
5 Oct 17#5
A screw thread provides a greater surface area per unit length for thermal conduction than a plain cylinder. So a screw in tip can be considerably shorter and cheaper in material costs. This is a budget, hobbyist, tool, after all.
melted to leedsfan83
5 Oct 17#10
I'd guess that there's a fair chance the tips will be the same as their previous variable wattage irons, which these will apparently fit :- cpc.farnell.com/dur…cce
Didn't know there was such a thing as a standard tip. My Antex uses sleeved bits that slot over the element, my brother's uses ceramic coated bits with a ridge in the centre to allow them to be held by a threaded collar.
He also has a couple of Wellers which use plain bits held by a grub screw which get stuck, and I've got an appalling 50w iron that also uses a grub screw, that the bit (which I believe was copper plated iron!) despite being retightened when hot, would fall out of whenever it was cooled by touching cold metal, I was lucky only to need a new pair of trousers and not an ambulance after using that!
OB1
5 Oct 17#4
£3 more than the non digital model they had previously. Tips look the same, compatibles are available from CPC.
bbdom
5 Oct 17#6
Not bad for a starter to intermediate iron but I do a lot of soldering (>3 hours a day on average) so will stick to my Metcal :wink:
gabesdad
5 Oct 17#7
Should be ok to practice some basic soldering skills for myself, as not done any in years, and want to build up my skills before getting a better iron.
118luke
5 Oct 17#8
Hmmm - my experience of parkside LIDL soldering irons isnt great. Had one literally go pop in my hand when using it, followed by smoke from the base unit.
jimmybo to 118luke
5 Oct 17#9
This is the new "digital" Parkside model from Lidl so the quality might have improved (Previous models were £6.99 - £8.99) Anyway - it carries a 3 year warranty
Shengis
6 Oct 17#11
I bought one of the old manual models, what a piece of crap that was. Uncomfortable to hold, too bulky and i've got big hands so.... The tips were crap as well. I've got an Antex 25W iron that i've had for nearly 30 years that does a better job. If people want a digital TC model, just get a Hakko knockoff from ebay, or Maplins/CPC. Hobbycraft do a cheap one but they sting you on the postage. At least that way you'll have a good choice of tips to try at a cheap price. Using cheapo irons like these is like soldering with an eyepatch and one arm tied behind your back imho.
As per my previous post, I just wanted something cheap, but flexible to practice soldering with initially, as I'd like one of the Hakko models or similar once I've gained some confidence, as have a fair few projects to sort like recapping old Spectrums, Amigas, etc.
This gets good reviews and takes the Hakko style tips. P&P + the cost of a 2 pin deathdapter needs to be taken into account though. Definately wouldn't be thinking of using the Lidl one for anything more complicated than tinning wires tbh.
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Opening post
With soft grip and 3 interchangeable tips
Compact station with control display for temperature and heating up phase
Adjustable temperature from 200C to 450C
Three preset selection switches for 200/300/400C
230V – 50Hz- 48W
3 Year Warranty
Product manual - Thanks melted
14 comments
Edit: maybe I should have read the post! Will keep an eye out.
Its in the online leaflet:- lidl-flyer.com/en-…108
Didn't know there was such a thing as a standard tip. My Antex uses sleeved bits that slot over the element, my brother's uses ceramic coated bits with a ridge in the centre to allow them to be held by a threaded collar.
He also has a couple of Wellers which use plain bits held by a grub screw which get stuck, and I've got an appalling 50w iron that also uses a grub screw, that the bit (which I believe was copper plated iron!) despite being retightened when hot, would fall out of whenever it was cooled by touching cold metal, I was lucky only to need a new pair of trousers and not an ambulance after using that!
Had one literally go pop in my hand when using it, followed by smoke from the base unit.
Anyway - it carries a 3 year warranty
This gets good reviews and takes the Hakko style tips. P&P + the cost of a 2 pin deathdapter needs to be taken into account though. Definately wouldn't be thinking of using the Lidl one for anything more complicated than tinning wires tbh.