Looking for the best soldering iron for jewelry?
Perfect!
In this LearningJewelry.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What Is Soldering Iron For Jewelry?
- Which Materials Make Up The Best Soldering Iron?
- What Accessories Do You Need For Soldering Jewelry?
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top picks. Keep scrolling to learn more about my best buying tips and tricks.
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. HANDSKIT Soldering Iron Kit |  Editor's Choice |
Most Complete Set
|
Check Price On Amazon |
| 2. Yihua Digital Soldering Station |  Best High-End |
High Wattage
|
Check Price On Amazon |
| 3. Vastar Soldering Iron Kit |  Best Budget Buy |
Value For Money
|
Check Price On Amazon |
| 4. LEXIVON Butane Soldering Iron Kit |  Best Design |
Butane Powered
|
Check Price On Amazon |
| 5. LDK Soldering Iron Kit |  Best For Newbies |
Ergonomic
|
Check Price On Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated as of 11/09/2020)
- Multiple accessories
- 200-450 degrees-C
- Heats up fast
Out of all of the best soldering iron for jewelry, HANDSKIT was my favorite.
Why?
The 21-piece soldering iron kit is an excellent addition to your jewelry making setup. It features all accessories needed for soldering jewelry and other related crafts. This handy device is comfortable and can be used to remove awful mistakes. It has an impressive one-handed solder sucker
It heats up so fast, you need to set the right temperature first. Temperature ranges from 200-400 °C. Though the kit looks busy for the beginner, it is a perfect set if you’re new to soldering or doing it as a hobby. It is great for jewelry applications and other projects like circuit boards repair and other soldering tasks.
The soft zippered case holds all the 21 top-notch soldering accessories. Extra materials include screwdrivers, anti-static tweezers, magnifier, solder wick, and desoldering pump.
It comes in a 60W power setting, which is perfect for advanced soldering projects. Customers at Amazon agree that the soldering iron is easy to use and accurate. As such, it is an ideal set up to any home jewelry workshop.
Top 8 Best Soldering Iron For Jewelry
Best Soldering Iron For Jewelry Reviewed
Our overall best choice for soldering tools is this kit from HANDSKIT. It comes complete in a 21-piece set with soldering iron tips, desoldering pump, tweezer, solder wire, soldering iron stand, and PU carry bag.
The soldering kit has a 60 Watt soldering iron that quickly heats up in about 2 minutes.
With an adjustable thermostat, you can perform all your jewelry crafts in a breeze. It is adjustable to 200-450 °C. The soldering tool comes in an easy-carry bag and allows you to perform jewelry crafts and repairs practically anywhere. Thanks to the solder sucker’s design, everything can be done one-handed.
It operates with a 110V power and if you use the European volts system, you may need a power converter. All products in my list go through rigorous testing and this one hit the top for its quality and build.
Pros
- 21-piece kit
- Ergonomic handle
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- No flux included
The YIHUA is one soldering iron that I really liked. It is a high-wattage soldering iron with 75 watts worth of power.
Apart from the wattage, this piece also has a high-temperature range of 392-896 °F and temperature stability of ±3.6 °F.
Plus, you can view all these temperature readings in its LCD screen. The Display also shows PID Tech, temperature calibration, and self-display.
The kit comes with extra accessories like soldering tips, cleaning sponge, anti-static tweezers, solid holder, and large solder tips cleaners. The soldering station is ESD safe and has a button to switch the display calibrations between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
For precise temperature control, this piece has an adjustment knob. It is a perfect tool if you have a jewelry work area as you can place it on a bench. What’s more, you get a 1-year warranty after purchase.
Pros
- Fast heat recovery system
- Great LCD display
- Iron heats up almost instantly
Cons
- Bulky
If portability is one thing you’re interested in while buying a soldering kit, then this piece from Vastar may be exactly what you’re looking for.
It comes with a long power cord, and other extra features like soldering tips, anti-static tweezers, and soldering stand.
Despite being portable, this kit doesn’t come with a carrying bag but still has an excellent heat-dissipating system. The pencil design is really comfortable and you can solder your necklaces, pendants, or other jewelry pieces for a longer time. It's versatile and best for non-jewelry applications too.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable piece
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- No carrying case included
While butane-powered soldering kits are not so common, the LEXIVON multi-purpose kit really caught my eye.
The packaging looks extremely professional with a briefcase-like black bag branded LEXIVON logo on top.
Things can really get hot with this piece as it reaches temperatures up to 1100 degrees °F.
e large tank capacity means you can work on your crafts continuously for 75 minutes. Since it uses butane, safety must be important. LEXIVON has an ignition stopper to fulfil the U.S. CPSC-Child/ resistance standard requirements.
The iron is 100% cordless and easy to start up. And in case your butane is used up, you can refill with a high-quality one. I’ve read a couple of reviews that point out several issues with buying cheap butane. The cheaper ones clog the soldering iron and bring up ignition issues.
Pros
- Cordless
- High maximum temperature
- Ideal for professional use
Cons
- User manual difficult to understand
This soldering kit from LDK is perfect for beginner solderers, jewelry DIY enthusiasts, and hobbyists. The pencil shape makes it easy to hold and perform better in precise applications.
Most soldering holders take much of your bench space but this one has a minimalist design.
For better heat dissipation and ventilation, LDK designed this kit with four ventilation holes and heat-resistant material. Its inner-heated ceramic technology allows the steel-pipe solder to heat up quickly in less than 5 minutes.
The LDK soldering iron kit has a temperature range of 200-450 °C and is adjustable as well. The 6 different tips included in this kit are 900 M series and are easily replaceable. You can use them in a variety of projects like soldering on a jump ring, necklace, speaker wire, TV, etc.
Pros
- 6 replaceable tips
- Portable design
- Ergonomic-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for professional use
This soldering station from Tilswall is the right fit for anyone looking to buy a high-quality model that can do a variety of tasks.
It comes with two stations, a stand and a soldering station with a temperature knob. There are 5 extra pieces of soldering tips and a built-in transformer and PID temperature control.
Its 65W output is a bit higher than what most have but enough for professional and efficient soldering. The temperature range of this model is 200 to 400 °C.
If you’re new to soldering, turn the temperature knobs really slowly. A small fraction of movement can raise or reduce the temperature by almost 30°C. The lead-free tin was a great addition to ensure safety while in use.
Pros
- Professional workstation
- Heats up fast
- Temperature control knob
Cons
- Replacement tips hard to find
The NEWACALOX soldering gun boasts a full soldering kit with a desoldering pump, 2 tweezers, and a soldering wire.
Its tin wire is built in the gun so that you don’t have to use two hands while soldering.
The simple build of this gun makes it easy to assemble and dismantle the soldering gun.
Its 900M series tip is readily available and chrome-plated for faster thermal conductivity and longevity. Its temperature ranges from 200 to 450 °C providing flexible options during your jewelry making adventure.
The 5 in 1 kit heats up quickly and can warm up in about 2-4 minutes. It is a great soldering gun for DIY hobbyists who love accessibility and ease of use.
Pros
- Single-hand use
- Easily replaceable tips
- Multipurpose
Cons
- Cheap look
This soldering iron station kit from LONOVO features a fresh upgraded design for optimal performance. The 60W station can go to temperatures as low as 90 °C which allows for more subtle metalwork applications like hot stamping.
This soldering station was built to last as it features a protective silicone heat shield, cord shield, and a reusable soldering iron.
You can monitor temperature levels on the LED display and adjust temp. levels using the knob located below the display. This kit sits well on your workstation and it takes only 6 seconds to reach a melting point of 392 degrees-F. It is one of the fastest heating soldering kits in this list.
Other features include sleeping mode, wake function, temperature conversion, an indicator for tracking temperature compensation and correction, and a reusable ceramic core.
Pros
- Multipurpose applications
- High stability (±2°F)
Cons
- Does not come with carrying case
What Is A Soldering Iron For Jewelry?
Jewelry made of metals like sterling silver jewelry or stainless steel goes through a process called soldering. It joins the pieces together to form a pattern or what is called soldered jewelry.
If the metals need lower temperature to join, you'll need to use a soldering iron for jewelry making. Soldering irons for jewelry come in different wattages and mostly use use silver solders. And the type of iron you choose depends on the materials you want to solder.
Are Soldering Iron For Jewelry Expensive Or Cheap?
Soldering irons for jewelry have a wide price range. The price ranges anywhere from $10 to $100 and there are not so many options available. Cheaper priced models lack a thing or two while expensive soldering irons have extra features and are more suited to professionals.
If you’re not so much into jewelry making, I’d suggest you buy the cheaper ones.
Read Also: What glue should you use for jewelry making? Read our top picks
What Should You Look For In The Best Soldering Iron For Jewelry?
Whether you’re just starting out on jewelry making or you are looking for a replacement, an all-round soldering iron will help you get satisfactory results. Here, we’ll review what to look for when buying your soldering iron for jewelry.
Temperature
When doing different crafts, you may need to adjust the temperature of your jewelry soldering iron. Look for soldering irons with temperature control or built-in thermostats. The temperature calibrations are usually labelled in degrees Celsius and not degrees Fahrenheit.
Soldering irons have temperature ranges of 200 to 843 degrees. The best soldering irons allow you to hone into a specific temperature. Shun away from soldering irons with wobbly thermostats.
Read Also: Our recommended UV Resin for jewelry making
Heat Source And Wattage
Another important consideration is the wattage and the heat source and that would be either electric or butane.
Electric soldering irons are common as they have reliable performance and adjustable temperatures. Butane irons get hot faster and they have an extra perk of portability.
However, butane torch soldering irons may get too hot for some applications.
Also, high wattage irons heat up faster and maintain temperatures for longer periods. I’d recommend getting a soldering iron with 60 or more watts.
Ergonomics
If you’re a full-time jeweler or planning to use the soldering iron for long, then you need to shoes a comfortable piece. Look for products with ideal ergonomics that won’t cause too much harm to your hands. Jewelry makers prefer soldering pencils. They are lightweight and can be controlled with a single hand.
Look for soldering irons with sponges, stands, and rest coils. You should also look for irons with heat-resistant handles and anti-slip features for maximum safety while in use. Lastly, all irons need to have heat-dissipating systems to prevent cases of overheating.
Soldering Tips
Depending on how delicate your solder jewelry craft is, you need irons with specific tips. While the tips can be bought separately, aim for soldering iron jewelry kits with all types of tips included in the package.
The tips allow you to work efficiently on different surfaces. When working with very fine surface materials, a wide flat tip may not be the best option for this application but might be ideal in soldering stained glass. You should also check on how easy it is to switch between these soldering tips.
Desoldering Accessories
Desoldering tools allow you to eliminate unwanted solder and do repairs as well. They include a sucker, spool, and solder wicks. As you look for a soldering iron, make sure the solder sucker has a power suction and a long-lasting tube. Choosing the right desoldering accessories will help you clean hot solder without hurting yourself in the process.
Home Or Pro
Most jewelry crafters start out at home and then expand to become more professional. Sometimes this transition may not allow you to get new jewelry tools due to financial constraints. If you’re planning to expand to professional jewelry crafts, consider buying a top-quality iron that heats up fast and maintains its temperature for long.
How To Clean Soldering Iron For Jewelry?
To take care of your soldering iron, you need to clean the soldering tips. Making sure the tip is clean increases your iron’s lifespan. Proper maintenance should be done before, during, and after use.
Before soldering, take a clean cloth and wet with alcohol to remove the contaminants in the tips like grease, oxidation from the surface, or corrosion. Use stainless steel or brass wool to clean your tips. Stainless steel is more abrasive and effective in stubborn stains.
The metal wool removes dirt and is a safer method than wiping with a damp sponge. A damp sponge reduces the temperature of the tip and if done repeatedly can cause fatigue of the tip or even tip failure.
After cleaning, use a fresh solder to prevent oxidation. In case oxidation occurs, don’t fret, there’s an even better method of removing it. Flux is a substance that removes the oxidation layer by dissolving it.
It may come in paste or contained in the core of soldering wire. Flux is highly corrosive and you shouldn’t dip your iron in it. Another option to prevent oxidation is tinning your tip. Tinning adds a protective layer and stops your tips from oxidizing.
Our Top Pick: The Best Soldering Iron For Jewelry
Our 21-in-1 kit is still the winner in this list of the best soldering iron for jewelry crafts. Beginners and pros will find this kit useful in so many ways. It comes complete with magnifier, solder wire, iron tips, soldering iron stand, PU carry bag, and desoldering pump.
The solder wick is 2mm wide and 1.5m in length. It is easy to clean and with an adjustable temperature knob, you can set the highest/lowest temperature depending on what you’re making. Looking at the price of this kit, it has amazing value to money when compared to most models; you don’t have to buy any extra accessory.
