STORY1: "Hikaru stands at a loss in a handicraft shop"

A ceramic heater is made of tungsten enclosed with ceramics. (Fig. 2) For example, let's look at the "HAKKO DASH" and the "HAKKO MACH-I". With a ceramic heater of such a shape, the whole soldering tip encloses the heater. Therefore, most of the heat is conveyed throughout the soldering tip and this type of heater can heat up the soldering tip more efficiently than the Nichrome heater. As its first advantage, the ceramic heater provides small resistance when the heater temperature is low. Smaller resistance allows larger current flow, so it can heat up the soldering tip rapidly. A 20W ceramic heater shows 60 to 70W soon after being powered ON.

Fig. 2 "Soldering iron using ceramic heater"

I see. You mean that a ceramic heater is more advantageous than a Nichrome heater.

Hmm. The Nichrome heater, "HAKKO RED", is sufficient for soldering of radio-controlled models. The Nichrome heater is less expensive than ceramic heater.

I see.

The important thing is to select a tool suitable for your work.
If you intend to use it for various purposes in the future, you should buy a soldering iron that can sufficiently meet your intended purposes.

I'll ask you another question. "HAKKO DASH" shows only a "W" value, but "HAKKO MACH-I" shows a "W" value and "Temperature". I noticed that the W value of "HAKKO MACH-I" is larger than that of "HAKKO DASH". Why?

That's a good question. I'll explain more to you about the types of soldering iron.

Are there differences in the types of soldering iron, other than the types of heater?