Soldering iron and flux

[sihinch]

After Ed's great presentation this week, I realised that the soldering iron that I use is woefully inadequate.

Where is a good place to get a decent, good value soldering iron, and some good quality flux?

Thanks,
S

[bfeist]

Treated myself to a Hakko FX888 last year
http://www.active123.com/prodList.asp?strSearch=hakko

Looks like it has been replaced with a digital model. Heats up to temp in 30 seconds. Fantastic.

Active Electronics is in Markham, I just ordered and they shipped the next day.

[Bobmic]

You can also check Sayal they have a few locations.

http://www.sayal.com/zinc/zinc_contactus.asp

They have quite large stores.

[Andy Hoffer]

I have shopped at Active123, and if you really want to treat yourself, you must go there in person.  They have LOTS of good stuff and it's well laid out.  Be sure and check out their well-stocked heat shrink tubing section.  And their in-store specials are guaranteed to make sure you come away with something you absolutely don't need! 

Andy

[wollins]

Treated myself to a Hakko FX888 last year
http://www.active123.com/prodList.asp?strSearch=hakko

Looks like it has been replaced with a digital model. Heats up to temp in 30 seconds. Fantastic.

Active Electronics is in Markham, I just ordered and they shipped the next day.

Ben I got the same one and love it.  I find it a little lacking though for working on the big wires (10 and 12 gauge) which brings up a question ... my gut tells me that the size of the tip makes a big difference in heat delivered?  In other words a 25w with a bigger tip will be more "powerful" (in practical use) that the same 25W with a smaller tip?  Am I correct? 

Reason i ask is that for the life of me I can't find a bigger tip for this iron than the 3.2mm (I think) that I have ... and THAT was an upgrade to the "stock" tip that it came with! (Actually i think I saw a 5.2mm tip online somewhere) So if its one complaint that I have is the lack of selection of tips for this iron. Having saod that its been fantasic for any other job that I had and its the ONLY product that I've ever seen with a 100% postive review rating on Amazon!    

However ... for my bigger apllications I intend to pick up this 100w Weller with a 9.5mm or 3/8" monster chisel tip!     

Colin