On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:13:00 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote:

A friend of mine is putting together a middle-school electronics lab,
and wants to get some good cheap soldering irons. I've been traumatized
by some really pitiful soldering irons so I don't just want to go price
shopping. However, since I've been using professional grade,
temperature controlled irons almost exclusively for years I can't
recommend any good cheap ones.

Can anyone recommend a soldering iron that will actually work but
doesn't cost much? I'm thinking of a rough equivalent to the Weller
WP-25, but that costs less than $20 a pop.

www.circuitspecialists.com has some that look reasonable, although not
under $20 they are temp controlled[*] and have holders. One is about
$30 and the other about $35.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/4230
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

* it says "adjustable output" so may be open-loop control.

I've purchased from them in the past (and also under their other link
www.web-tronics.com) and they seem reputable. YMMV

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA