Customer Reviews

Antex G/3U Soldering Iron

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I picked up this iron at a swap around ten years ago, and since then it's been the first iron I grab for anything short of soldering tinplate. The Antex irons are better and easier to use than just about anything else you might try, and that's because they're very different from the typical iron most of us learned on in a number of significant ways.

First, they use a slide-on tip. Slips on, slips off, requires no tightening or adjustment ever. Second, because they heat the tip from the inside, not via a clamp or screw connection, they're much more efficient than the usual iron- they say an 18watt iron is the equivalent of the typical 30 watt iron, and if anything, that's an underestimate.

Third, they heat super fast- usually in 45 seconds or less. You don't need to leave you iron plugged in all afternoon and worry about it burning up while you're busy working on some other aspect of a project. I keep mine plugged into a switched power strip. When I'm ready to solder, I switch it on, and when I'm finshed I switch it off.

And last, they're incredibly light. This is truely a featherweight tool. If you're doing any sort of electronics work at all, I'd strongly recommend an Antex iron. In 40 yers of electronics work I haven't found anything better.

Antex iron

I have used an 18 watt Antex iron for almost 30 years, and I have to agree that it is one of the best soldering irons ever made. It is the iron I reach for first. It is unmatched for printed circuit and small connector work. Other irons, despite nice, fancy temperature controls, often are simply too big to deal with today's small components. I have even used it to solder 12 gauge speaker wire, and it worked great.

You will need to order tips separately, as they are not included. Amazon has a good selection. If you do not know which you should get, a medium chisel tip is a safe bet to start. Depending on what kind of soldering you do, you may want several different tips.

You should also get a good stand to hold it. It is very lightweight, and the cord is actually heavier than the iron. If not in a good stand, the cord can pull it off your bench quite easily.

I am pleased to discover they are still around and am ordering a new one for work. If you solder in small spaces, use small components or connectors, you will not go wrong with this iron.

...it doesn't come with everything pictured. You'll need at least one tip for the iron itself (as the previous reviewer mentioned, they slide on and off) and a stand and sponge. Both are easily found on the site.

That aside, it's a very fast and useful iron and very good for beginners.

Don't be stupid... Read the copy. You will need a tip (or tips, and maybe a stand) If you can get past that little test you're home. Uses half the power to reach the same temp because the heating element slides into the tip, rather than the other way around. Much less waste heat, fewer burned boards, wires, components, fingers... Heats to temp VERY fast. small wattage makes small size, cooler handle, less fatigue. Excellent assortment of tips. I have had mine 12 years and I work it like a rented mule, by contrast a 30W Weller last me about a year. Awesome for tight work like TTY patch bays and high count multi-pin connectors. Keep your tips clean and this iron makes it easy.

all irons need tips. No tip is pictured. I have owned antex's for 30 years. They will work for you.
you should get a 3/32 chisel tip. I lost my stand years ago (which resulted in me burning up the cord on more than one occasion.
This is the one you want.

What you see is not what you receive when you pay for it.
Picture shows two items you will not receive:
1. Iron penn tip.
2. iron penn stand.
Vendor do not answer for email.

Immediately returned it. Ridiculously shoddy packaging (the box had a gaping hole in it that was scotch taped poorly). No tip included nor a safety stand (which I thought was a must for any iron). Don't waste your time ordering one piece of a soldering iron. To clarify, THIS IS NOT A FUNCTIONING SOLDERING IRON ALONE. You MUST buy a tip, and I highly recommend a soldering safety stand and sponge for any soldering work.

First of all, I received this item OPENED.
They actually used scotch tape to reseal the plastic
bubble over the cardboard....jeez!

NO TIP for the iron is included, even it is shown in
the picture.

Spend you money somewhere else.