Good soldering iron for small electronics?

So I've been thinking for a long time about getting a new soldering iron, and now I'm actually going to get one. However, I'd like some suggestions. APE recommended this one to me, a long time ago: http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC It looks good, but one of the reviews I read said that you could get this one for the same price: http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WP35-35-Watt-Professional-Soldering/dp/B000B5YIYS and it looks to be of higher quality. But I'm no expert when it comes to soldering or soldering irons, so I'd like to get your opinions. I'd be using this mainly for soldering wires to small connectors (SCART connectors, d-sub connectors, etc.) and possibly directly to boards. The main thing is that it needs to have a pretty small tip. I'm not sure what I can spend on this, but it'd probably be $20-$40.

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but soldering is something that gets discussed a lot in this subforum, so I thought it'd be a good place to start.

 

Hakko FX-888. You need to spend a lot for an iron that will last forever and get the job done.

 

x

 

Anything that can take this kind of tip would do the job fine if you got a steady hand: http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-T18-BR0...d=1354502393&sr=1-20&keywords=hakko+soldering

And if you've got way too much money to spend: http://www.jbctools.com/nast-nano-rework-product-11.html
This is perfect, period. I work with one and it's amazing for small stuff like surface mount components of small samples.

 

I use a (vintage) Weller WTCP-N soldering station. My dad gave it to me and its from the 70s or at most early 80s. I suspect the thing is unkillable.

It's plain and basic, does not have a temperature Dial. It heats up in less than a minute and is always at a seemingly perfect temperature.

 

That's a little more money than I'm willing to spend. Keep in mind I'm not going to be doing professional work with this; it's just for my own, personal use.

 

There are about 234897234 hakko clones, all of which will suit your needs. I use a clone (at the moment at least) and they are plenty good enough and cheap.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATTEN-AT937...570?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2577a2cb72

This will do, takes same tips are the hakko fx-888 too

 

I bought a Hakko clone from eBay for $60.00. Got it 2 days later, opened it up out of the new box, and... it died in less than 7 seconds.
They don't make electronics, no wait. ANYTHING like they used to anymore. That's when I got fed up and just spent the money on a Hakko 888.
6 months old now, heavy use, and still going bloody strong like it was brand new

 

Mine is a clone, 4 years old and I am sure I use it more than you.

I have recommended clones to people here (and other forums) and not had any problems.

A RL friend bought a clone and it died the same day, got a replacement and working fine since.

DOA's happen, thats life.

 

Radioshack adjustable soldering iron. Spent $20 or so on it. ONly had to change the tip once. I also recommend you get one that can have the tip replaced. Replace the tip with a smaller one. Also, high quality solder, flux and copper wick help a lot.

 

I just brought a clone too, works wonderfully. It heats up super fast, has a handy display that tells you this and it's quite powerful. Build quality seems great too, though when I brought it, the bendy cable sleeve thing wasn't properly seated in the iron. Easy fix, just popped it into place.