This is the iron I've been using since January after spotting a recommendation for it in an old thread. It's been amazing - by far the best iron I ever have, or likely ever will, use on beadsprites.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZY6GNI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

I paid $40 for it, and felt it was a fair deal. Pretty decent price right now. No holes in the soleplate, even heat across the whole thing, good shape for doing large projects as well. I would never recommend anything else.