Topic: Soldering Iron

[78 k550]

Hey All,
I'm needing some wire's fixed and just asking what other's prefer. Iron or Gun, Corded or cordless, electric or gas?
Just wanting to upgrade dads old iron.

Paul

[dustyc]

I like my edsyn

971: POWER AND ECONOMY offers unsurpassed versatility for delicate and heavy duty work. Direct tip/heater configuration results in quick heat recovery at the tip. Advanced circuit design provides precise temperature control and calibration. High performance accumulator accepts a virtually limitless variety of general purpose tips.

[mark]

Different tools for different projects in different places...

From a dinky 12 watt iron to some huge old relics...

The one that seems to get used the most in vehicle repair (and some pinball wiring) is a butane thing by Portasol.

When there's an outlet in reach, a 150/400 watt gun that I got from MAC ages ago.

I should probably get myself one of those fancy temp controlled outfits for the printed circuit stuff...

Too many projects in too many places. <sigh>


Happy trails.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Paul,

Depends on the extent of soldering I'd say. My daughter had been bugging me recently to repair a couple things she had broken. Small wires. She bought me one of those Cold Heat Soldering jobs for Christmas so she wanted me to use it. I was skeptical. VERY skeptical. One of those "Christmas gadgets that every one needs". Thats just my nature. Sounds too good to be true, it must not be true. That MF'r worked great! Totally surprised. #$%* in my dress! Uses 4 AA batteries. Touch the open end tip to the object, the electrical circuit is completed between the open sides and it heats the #$%* outta your wires. Even threw some sparks. A little flux and a touch of solder and it was done. VERY handy to use. Think I saw these on sale at Harbor Freight for $10. Come on down. I'll buy a few beers.

Jerry 

[Steve F]

I use a WELLER 40Watt with thermostat controlled tip heat.  I would be a little concerned about soldering with a butane type near any flammables (like gasoline).  The Weller heats up really fast, and once it detects that the tip heat is falling, it clicks on to keep it hot, like when you're starting to solder a large joint. 

[Gregorymoto]

I like the little butane torch soldering iron, It is small, don't need to plug it in, it heats up fast, and i can take it on the road.

[1080]

What kind of iron does your dad have? I have been work in Electronics for over 30 years and I still like to use my Sears ( almost 40 year old ) Soldering Gun for Bike & Auto wiring. Use solder paste & heat for those old wires. Just don't over due the heat part.   1080.

[johnny_from_bel]

For the odd one of I use a gass soldering iron the gass flow is ajustable. Heats up within 30 seconds no wire very convenient.

For the longer job I use electrical soldering irons of different power depending on the job.

[Johnie]

Good post...I was having problems with my Sear yesterday.  It was hot but would not get the solder to melt.  I was holding it there forever and nothing.  I think to big of tip.  So I am also in the market for something a little smaller.  How about those ones that look like a candle.  Short and thin...will those do the job on those small wires?