Although this review is for the handpiece, the iron (sp-12) is just perfect for small jobs that are often used by hobbyists. The tip is just the right size for working with small thin wires. I use Rad Shack Cleaner to do 2 jobs in one step which is very convenient. The tip wears out fairly quickly, so it's a good idea to have a few spares. If you heat the iron and let it cool down, the tip can be easily removed. If you are looking for an easy to use small iron then look no further.