Recommend a good dual range solder station

[mayfly]

For de-soldering, I just use one of these: 

http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/aven-tools/17535/243-1182-ND/1992576

Update:  I happen to like the conical tip.  So there!  but - may as well get both tips just to see what works best for you.

 

[Cagey]

The first one is unnecessarily complex. The second one is as well, when you get right down to it, but not quite as much so. If you're willing to spend a pile of money like that, you're probably better off with a simple American Beauty, such as their model 3112-40 or 3112-50.

They're pricey little rascals, but it'll probably be the last soldering iron you ever buy. They're no-frills units designed for non-stop production work. You can plug 'em in in the morning and leave 'em hot all day, every day, for years on end.

As for de-soldering, I prefer this tool...

... rather than bulbs and never braid. Bulbs are tricky to get used to, and solder wick (braid) has destroyed more components and pc boards than anything else I've ever seen.

 

[TBurst Std]

Well I like the other 2.
And for desolder, I'm glad I am not the only one not satisfied with a bulb or wick. I was thinking over kill vs what you and Trevor posted. As its the worst part of my skill, I am willing to spend more in that area.

The American Beauty looks good, but I am looking for more of a station as I am going to mount it as well as my "helping hands" to a board.

 

[Cagey]

Get one of these...

Then you'll have a soldering station.

 

[TBurst Std]

Get one of these...

Then you'll have a soldering station.

I like that!

Thank you

 

[Ace Flibble]

Just as a point of interest, I have it on good authority that the Fender Custom Shop uses simple 50w stations from Circuit Specialist EU. The specific model isn't made now, but there's a 60w version which does the same thing, with variable range from 200/392 to 480/896. (Temperature in C/F degrees.) Point is, you don't need to be buying anything fancy.

As for that mangle of metal to be a 'third hand', just buy a box of crocodile clips for next to nothing and you can get the same effect. You shouldn't be or need to be applying heat for long enough for the heat to travel right through one crocodile clip, and individual clips should be easier to get into any position you want.

 

[TBurst Std]

As for that mangle of metal to be a 'third hand', just buy a box of crocodile clips for next to nothing and you can get the same effect. You shouldn't be or need to be applying heat for long enough for the heat to travel right through one crocodile clip, and individual clips should be easier to get into any position you want.

I was gifted the 'third hand'. So I'll just use what I have.