Abstract: A soldering iron includes a handle body having a gripping section for gripping by a user during operation of the soldering iron; an electrical cord supplying power to the handle body; a soldering tip assembly supported by the handle body and having a mounting end disposed proximal the handle body and a tip end disposed distal from the handle body. The soldering tip assembly includes a heating element embedded therein and disposed closer to the tip end than the mounting end, with the heating element electrically insulated from an exterior surface of the tip end. A power supply is operative to supply a controlled low voltage DC power to the heating element by converting an incoming AC power. The soldering tip assembly may be formed as a cartridge removably mated to the handle body and the soldering tip may be quick heating.