I got lucky and bought a $100 Hakko in... maybe my 3rd year of EE? Early 20s? Like you say, my ability to solder improved dramatically overnight. The first time

I got lucky and bought a $100 Hakko in... maybe my 3rd year of EE? Early 20s? Like you say, my ability to solder improved dramatically overnight. The first time I went over to my (now) wife's house, I saw she had the same iron sitting on her dining room table for some cables she was fixing. Her and I still have the same pair of irons, they still work flawlessly. We've replaced tips a number of times, but I don't think either of us have ever had to replace the ceramic heater inside. I'm turning 40 this year.