Creating a marvelous piece of stained glass artwork takes more than just a set of skills. You also need the best tools by your side to handle the task professionally.
A soldering iron in particular is one of the most important tools for such a project. Having a few good ones makes your work easier and quicker while producing fantastic results.
But what is the best stained glass soldering iron? The best stained glass soldering irons have reliable and efficient heating systems and are powerful, versatile, and ergonomically designed to minimize hand fatigue. It is very critical that the heat remains consistent across a range of temperatures.
Of course, there are a lot more other features you’ll come across but these are the must-haves.
If you are in the market for a soldering iron for stained glass, we already have the 9 best products lined up for you. But first, let’s go through a short buying guide so you can make an informed buying decision.
Buying A Stained Glass Soldering Iron
Just like buying any other device, purchasing a soldering iron should be a well-thought-out process. Having certain qualities in mind helps separate just any soldering iron from the most ideal one for your needs. Here is a list of things to consider.
Wattage
The wattage of a soldering iron should be your top priority when choosing one. In order for heat to travel all the way to the tip and melt the solder, the soldering iron must have adequate heating capacity.
Low watt irons are incapacitated when it comes to soldering stained glass. So before heading to your tools collection, your favorite 30-40-watt electric solder will not work in this case.
Aim for a minimum of 60 watts up to 200 watts for small and medium projects. Anything beyond that is only necessary for heavy-duty industrial soldering.
Heating Element
The next thing to consider is the heating element. There are basically two common ones, ceramic and nichrome wire.
Ceramic soldering irons heat up faster and are also the most energy-efficient. Consequently, you can get away with a low wattage for small-scale stained glass soldering.
However ceramic tends to give cold spots during prolonged or heavy use. Nichrome wire is the better option for heavy soldering. It heats up much slower but maintains a constant temperature once it hits the optimum high.
Ergonomic Design
As a hand tool, you’ll be holding the soldering iron for long periods, sometimes hours on end. This may leave you with sore hand and finger joints.
The problem rarely has anything to do with time spent on the task but rather stems from a poorly designed device. Therefore check that the soldering iron you are contemplating buying is ergonomic.
You can scrutinize the following things. One is the weight of the iron. It shouldn’t feel heavy. Two is a rubberized handle with grip enhancers. It is comfier and safer. Wood and plastic handles provide excellent insulation as well.
The type of handle also matters. The typical one you might be more familiar with is the one that resembles a pencil or wand. Everything is aligned.
The hatchet design is another option where the handle is at right angles with the tipped bottom half. This type is best for people already having joint issues.
Adjustable Temperature
A versatile soldering iron is the best stained glass soldering iron. It can tackle a range of applications without which you may have to buy two or three different soldering irons.
An adjustable temperature is one feature that makes a soldering iron multipurpose. There are various soldering techniques like copper foil, lead-based, edging, seams, and decorative soldering.
Each has its own heat requirements as stained glass soldering. Essentially, you need at least 700°F to solder stained glass, but it would be great if you could modify the heat to suit other tasks.
In fact, it is advisable to play around with the heat to find out what works for you since artists solder at different speeds.
Your heat needs will also change depending on the solder. There are different types, 50/50, 60/40, and so on. The lower the ratio the higher the temperature.
Tips
The type of tip is a critical aspect. There are chisel and pointed tips. These tips are task-specific and also have sizes like ¼”, ⅜” etc.
If you need a variety, you must know what sizes fit into the soldering iron and their availability. Some brands will not fit any other tips except their own. Others are more accommodating.
Corded or Cordless
A corded soldering iron will limit your movement as far as the length of the cable. A cordless unit on the other hand has the advantage of portability enabling you to work on bigger projects while moving freely.
Notwithstanding, corded soldering irons are more powerful and reliable compared to those running on batteries. The battery may even run out on you midway.
It’s a personal preference issue but we highly recommend corded irons for serious and professional stained glass soldering. Just make sure the cord is not too thick or else it will frustrate you getting it out of your way every time.
Accessories
Lastly, check if there are any free accessories accompanying the stained glass soldering iron for every purchase. These include items like a stand for the iron, a working mat, or even cleaning brass for the tip.
The first two are cool safety accessories to prevent burns. Cleaning the tip is also essential as accumulated dirt from blackening tampers with heat transfer and the soldering iron’s efficiency.
You could buy these items separately, but why set yourself back a few dollars, when you can get them somewhere for free?
These are the critical guidelines for finding the right stained glass soldering iron. Now moving on to the most exciting section is our top 9 recommendations.
The 9 Best Stained Glass Soldering Irons
A soldering iron will cost you a lot more than any other supplies you may need to solder stained glass. Therefore you can’t afford to go wrong with your choice.
Luckily we already got you covered. Here are the 9 best stained glass soldering irons reviewed and rated by experts.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hakko Adjustable Temperature Controlled Soldering Iron | 100 watts, heats quickly |
| 2. | Weller Weller Fahrenheit Heavy Duty Soldering Iron | 100 watts, lightweight, interchangeable tips |
| 3. | Weller Stained Glass Iron | 50 watts, up to 1,000°F, interchangeable tips |
| 4. | Choice Soldering Iron | 100 watts, up tp 1,000°F |
| 5. | Weller LED Soldering Iron | 80 watts, up to 900°F, anti-slip |
| 6. | YIHUA Soldering Iron | LCD digital display, lightweight, non-slip |
| 7. | BAYKA Soldering Iron | 60 watts, LCD screen, up to 896°F |
| 8. | TasiHome Soldering Iron Kit | 60 watts, up tp 842°F, heats up fast |
| 9. | MIYAKO Soldering Iron | Wood handle, up to 896°F |
1. Hakko Adjustable Temperature Controlled Soldering Iron
Top on the list of the best-rated stained glass soldering irons is the 67 watt Hakko FX601-02. It is everything you want in a soldering iron for stained glass; efficient, reliable, and adaptable.
Its best-selling features include a ceramic heating element that heats up fast so you can get to work quickly.
Do not judge its abilities by the wattage. This unit is powerful enough to solder stained glass the same way as a 100-watt wire-wound soldering iron if not better.
The heat is controlled by a thermostat that is super efficient at maintaining a constant temperature over an extended period of time. It recovers swiftly when cooled, preventing cold spots which is a critical aspect when soldering stained glass.
Because it is heat efficient and low on energy consumption this purchase will save you a few dollars in power bills. The temperature is adjustable to 6 levels adding to the versatility of the device for a variety of stained glass projects.
Its layout and design are pretty simple and convenient; pencil shaped with a chisel tip. It is lightweight too thus minimizing fatigue and giving you better control.
This model is user-friendly and easy to master even for entry-level stained glass artists. From the amount of positive feedback about it, you can tell it won’t disappoint.
However, the Hakko 601-02 is on the delicate side and therefore cannot sustain heavy use. To extend its useful life, it would be best to reserve it for light-duty and small projects.
2. Weller Weller Fahrenheit Heavy Duty Soldering Iron
The Weller brand is widely recognized in the stained glass soldering industry. Its popularity is owed to the fantastic features and performance of its soldering irons.
Weller W100PG is our pick for the second-best stained glass soldering iron. The 100 Watts nichrome wire soldering iron is a beast when it comes to heavy-duty stained glass soldering.
It has a more robust construction than the Hakko to tackle larger projects and is more durable. It will stick around for a long time if well maintained.
The nichrome wire does an amazing job at transferring heat to the tip; it is powerful enough to maintain a constant temperature even when the device has been running for quite some time.
Unlike other low-quality wire-wound soldering irons that take forever to heat up, the W100 PG breaks the norm and heats up fairly quickly, usually in under 2 minutes.
Surprisingly, it feels lightweight and balanced and is not cumbersome despite its solid construction. This particular model comes with a chisel tip that heats up to 700°F.
Unfortunately, the temperature for this soldering iron can not be modified, limiting what you can do with it. Luckily there are interchangeable tips for it which you can buy separately. One is 600°F and another is 800°F.
Get a good soldering iron station with this and you have your forever stained glass soldering iron.
3. Weller Stained Glass Iron
Our third choice again is from the Weller brand. This only goes to show that it is a trusted name in providing high-quality soldering irons.
This particular one is the 1175 model. It is a 50-watt soldering iron but doesn’t let the low number deceive you into doubting its capabilities. It is consistency that is key.
The soldering iron is a little performer. Once you turn it on the heat catches up pretty fast and remains steady as you work. It heats up to 1000°F.
It has a flat and tapered head which is the most ideal tip shape for soldering stained glass. Its replacement tips are also readily available for purchase.
If you are a newbie or just love taking your time while soldering stained glass we recommend getting a temperature controller. But for the experienced stained glass artists, you can race through projects without any disappointments.
You’ll not only finish quickly but your project will also turn out beautifully thanks to even melting of the solder. You simply can’t go wrong with a Weller.
4. Choice Soldering Iron
Next on the least is Choice 100, a small yet powerful 100 watt 120V soldering iron. This one handles all your stained glass soldering needs thanks to its high heat capacity.
It comes with a ¼ Inch chisel-shaped head that handles copper foil very well. There are no cold spots with this model, only a continuous flow of constant heat and even melting.
Did we mention how powerful it is? The 100-watt soldering iron reaches highs of 1,000°F. Seasoned stained glass artists able to move swiftly can work around this temperature without qualms.
Notwithstanding, it definitely is too hot for beginners and slightly experienced soldering iron artists to handle with success. We suggest pairing it with a temperature controlling unit for an enjoyable time.
This is one of the most decently priced models if you are on a budget and looking for a great bargain. It performs outstandingly for the price.
5. Weller LED Soldering Iron
Another one from the renowned soldering iron manufacturers is the Weller SP80NUS. The 80 watts iron is powerful and gets to temperatures reaching 900°F.
There is ample heat for your copper foil, tin, lead, and lead-free stained glass solder. Due to its steadiness and even melt, you get pretty smooth solder lines.
The overall construction is sturdy and the soft ribbed anti-slip handle provides for safe and comfortable handling on the heating device.
There are led lights to illuminate whatever you are working on which is a bonus. You also get a free stand.
It is a suitable stained glass soldering iron for novices and experienced artists alike. However, the 10mm head it comes with is a little too big. It could be better with smaller replacement tips. Luckily, those aren’t hard to find.
6. YIHUA Soldering Iron
Looking for a fully digital experience? YIHUA 110-watt soldering iron is an excellent choice.
It has all the inbuilt buttons to make you feel empowered by giving you control, precision, and consistency next to your fingertips.
We have a master on/off button that lets you turn the device on. An LCD digital display screen shows the temperature set and two more buttons help you modify the temperature to suit your needs.
If you are constantly forgetting to turn off devices, this soldering iron has a sleep function and will auto shut after a period of inactivity.
Its slim pencil design, lightweight, and additional non-slip grip pad enable you to work longer in comfort.
The iron heats up in seconds reaching highs of 896°F for your stained glass soldering needs. It is powerful, well-built, works great, and is remarkably accurate.
The manufacturer is thoughtful and throws in a few bonus items like the rosin flux and brass for cleaning and a stand. There’s also one free replacement tip.
7. BAYKA Soldering Iron
Another digitized stained glass soldering iron is the BAYKA. The 60 watts 110V pencil type iron has everything you need within easy reach.
An on/off button alerts you when the iron is on using a led light indicator. You can also set it to sleep or auto shut at a specific time interval. There’s even a button to toggle between units F and C.
In addition, is a small LCD window that displays the temperature you’ve set. Therefore, a quick glance tells you whether you are still operating at the right temperature.
To enhance accuracy, a + and – button next to it allows you to make precise 1°F adjustments. There are 9 temperature levels and the highest is 896°F which is within the heat range for soldering stained glass.
Performance-wise, this is a reliable model that will exceed your expectations. It heats up within half a minute and cools off quickly too, usually within 2 minutes.
Luckily it comes with a free stand so you have a place for it to rest while still hot. You also get 5 assorted bonus replacement tips.
One downside though is that there are just too many buttons on the handle. It’s easy to accidentally squeeze one and turn it off or change the settings accidentally.
Many users also reported the cable to be heavy, cumbersome, and getting in the way. But except for this minor design flaw, certainly, the BAYKA is a steal considering everything else you get.
8. TasiHome Soldering Iron Kit
If you have other soldering needs in addition to stained glass, you might like this general-purpose iron. It is 60 watts, 110V and the highest temperature is 842°F.
It has lots of inbuilt features which usually make an iron bulky but surprisingly it weighs so little.
There’s a legibly labeled dial for adjustment of temperature so you can go lower or higher. You need to go to the highest heat setting for stained glass soldering.
A led bulb lights up once you set the temperature and then goes off when the target is reached. It heats up very fast too.
Aesthetics are obviously not a priority for many, but that’s no reason not to flaunt the Tasihom in your soldering class or at your workshop. It has a sleek design with a see-through handle that looks very cool.
Still, on the handle, it is ergonomically shaped and provides a well-balanced.
The deal-breaker with this iron is that it won’t fit standard tips or any other branded tips. It only uses its own SOLREP 2000 tips. You get one pointed and one chiseled tip with your purchase.
9. MIYAKO Soldering Iron
Our final pick is MIYAKO soldering iron. This is a pretty basic pointed tip 110V soldering iron with a free stand.
It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of other irons in this review. However, it works fantastic for beginners as a starter iron and is efficient and affordably priced.
The device features a high-grade wood handle The heating element is metal and it dissipates heat very fast without turning the entire unit hot to touch.
The temperature unfortunately cannot be adjusted but is maintained in the 896°F range when hot which is sufficient for stained glass soldering.
The casing and general construction are solid and durability is guaranteed. Everything is tightly screwed in place.
You get a pointed tip with this model so you may want to replace that with a chisel if that’s your preference. It’s super easy and fits many standard size tips which you buy separately.
Hopefully, you’ve gained valuable insights for your next purchase and can now make an informed buying decision. Feel free to pick from any one of our best 9 stained glass soldering irons just reviewed. You can’t get anything better than this. Happy stained glass soldering.
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