Model Railroading > Schneider Pencil Soldering Tools & Kits

Hi Guys 
Here are 3 different pencil soldering irons that are located at Harbor Freight in Mansfield Ohio 
Prices are 1st is $ 5.99 
                  2nd is $ 47.89 
                  3rd is $ 119..95 
3 More pics to follow of solder tool kits at Harbor Freight
Tom Boylan

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Hi 
Here are 3 more soldering kits at Harbor Freight 
Chicago Electric 100 watt soldering gun 
Schneider soldering tol kit and paste
Schneider Solder  removal tool kit 
Tom Boylan

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The 50watt soldering station and the desoldering kit would be the ones to get in my opinion, also buy some flux off amazon.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Here is a cordless one that the editor of Model Railroad Hobbyist recommends.

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If you compare the Schneider 80 watt temperature regulated soldering station at $119 to the Hakko FX-888K 100 watt solderng station with an MSRP of $121.47, I'd pick the Hakko every time. The Hakko is a known quantity - a very well built, reputable, and reliable solderihg station. I don't think the difference in power is all that important, but for an extra $2.50, to know I'd get a top tier product with excellent industry support for replacement heating elements (in 20 years of ownership, I've never had to replace a heating element, but if I did, it's good to know finding a replacement won't be a problem), tips, and other accessories. Yeah, I'd spend the extra $2.50 just for peace of mihd.

I've got nothing againhst Harbor Freight. I'm an "Inside Track Club" member, and frequently buy tools from them. Harbor Freight tools have gone up in quality while the "big names" have gone down ("Crapsman", Stanley, Milwaukee, etc), there is now a pretty level playihng field. And it's hard to beat how convenient Harbor Freight Tools have become with their building more and more stores. So maybe if the Schneider goes on some huge discount (check the weekly ads), the economics might shift, but the bottom line is the Hakko is an investment, and the Schneider at Harbor Freight is a crap-shoot.

Update: Hakko actually cheaper!

Schneider: $119.99
Hakko @ Amazon: $119.79

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888DX-010BY-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B0D4DJW54S

Arved Grass
Fleming Island, FL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/26 07:21 by Arved.

From well-earned (ouch) safety lessons, I always go with a soldering gun.

Art House

I recently got the first one, 30w, and you dont need more for N scale track.  Rosin core solder and a smear of rosin flux.
RB

You also need one of these, or maybe not need but it sure will be usefull, this is an ebay ad.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/336312687132

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4S0AAeSw-wFplyxc/s-l500.webp
Richard

aehouse Wrote:
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> From well-earned (ouch) safety lessons, I always
> go with a soldering gun.
>
> Art House

Which is too big to be used in working on circuit boards, things like DCC.

Agreed, if I were to use one of those giant soldering guns on one of our PCB Assemblies (with SMT components) where I work - it would probably burn a hole clean through the PCB!

PHall Wrote:
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> Which is too big to be used in working on circuit
> boards, things like DCC.