Add toggle switch to a soldering iron

[XistenZ]

I find it annoying that my iron simply just have a chord, and when plugged in it heats until I plug it out. Of course this is no big deal, but it would be more convenient if the iron just had a toggle on the chord.

My question is if adding a toggle would reduce the irons performance? Would it maybe not heat up as quick, or even as much? Does the toggle "eat" any power?
Maybe just a silly question, but I'd rather have a fully functional iron that's just slightly inconvenient than one that won't perform satisfactory.

 

[makkem]

Hi
Fitting a switch to the cord would have no effect on the performance of the iron and the switch would not use any measurable power unless it was faulty.

 

[photonboy]

I'd recommend a unit with a holder for the iron, and power ON + adjustable knob.

Mine has THREE settings besides off. Setting "3" is simply on full power, and 1 and 2 use an internal resistor to limit power to the iron. You can buy as a kit or separate from the iron.

OTHER solutions are:
a) simple extender cable with on/off switch (completely on or off same as light switch)

b) simple iron with on/off button on hilt

Something like THIS is pretty useful:
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1455793154&sr=1-7&keywords=soldering+iron

*It also depends what you are DOING of course. I did minor electronics and got a kit with different head replacements, and needed the different power levels depending on size of item being soldered and solder used.

 

[XistenZ]

I'd recommend a unit with a holder for the iron, and power ON + adjustable knob.

Mine has THREE settings besides off. Setting "3" is simply on full power, and 1 and 2 use an internal resistor to limit power to the iron. You can buy as a kit or separate from the iron.

OTHER solutions are:
a) simple extender cable with on/off switch (completely on or off same as light switch)

b) simple iron with on/off button on hilt

Something like THIS is pretty useful:
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1455793154&sr=1-7&keywords=soldering+iron

Yes I know there exists irons with such capabilities, and I'll most likely get a proper station in the future but right now I want to keep the iron I already have, just mod it a bit ^^
Thanks for the suggestions though!