Duratech 48W Temperature Controlled Soldering Station

Great features - shame about the bits

Had this soldering station for some time - has worked well to date for the small amount of use it's had, but recently the coating on the tip seems to have come off with the result it can no longer be tinned leading to great difficulty in soldering. I know (small conical) spare bits are available, but am concerned that replacements will just have same problem. Anyway I feel the station could have included 1-2 spare bits.

Decent Temperature Controlled Soldering Iron

I had one of these for 4 years and it served me faithfully in all that time. For almost anything that doesn't require SMD rework, get this iron.

Great soldering iron

This soldering iron has been my workbench iron for two years so far, decent heat and does not dissipate inbetween components like other smaller soldering irons

Excellent soldering iron for beginners

This was my first non-garbage soldering iron. It is amazing, I always thought I just sucked at soldering but with this thing it is a breeze. I have built a re-amper with it and it worked well, the tip did bend after only a few times of use. But maybe I just forgot to tin the iron when I finished with it that time. I have still been able to use it pretty well with a bent tip but it would be cool if it came with a couple extras.

it sort of works.

Having been a Soldering iron user since 1965, this lightweight iron and its power supply and "holder" I had to quickly replace my last heater tube on my trusty WELLER soldering iron unit. This lightweight iron is spoiled my the stiff power cord which often "moves" on my service bench. It is as if it almost needs "Velcro" stuck under it, so it does not migrate towards my lap, along with the hot soldering tip. The power cord to the control unit does the same. Stiff cables, yet silicon power cables have been approved for use in Australia. The soldering tip leaves a lot to be desired. I state this as the tip is made of a plated soft copper and anyone who has use other brands, would agree that the unnecessary length of the tip Creates the scenario of the heat being lost in the pointy bit of the tip. The only way one can get any heat into tin/lead solder is turn it up to full on. This of course, would in time reduce the life span of the product. The tip is far longer than it needs to be and I set out to only replace a dead Weller iron heater barrel. I seriously miss my Weller and its very useful range of soldering tips.

Absolute Rubbish

Do not buy this product. I have never left a one star review before, but this thing does not perform. The tip will not tin, and solder does not melt until the joint has overheated. It is just a waste of money.

Don't waste your money

I have owned two of these units. Both failed because the temperature-adjustment control broke. With the second one, I simply cut off the leads and now use it as a stand for a mains-operated TS1554.