Other Soldering Iron or Gun???

[peterlocal22]

Im always soldering a wire on my motorcycle, atv etc and was wondering if anyone can direct me to a really nice soldering iron or gun?
Little confused with all the different units out there.
thanks in advance

 

[Big Kahuna]

depends on the job. use an iron for precision work ie: circut boards. use a gun if your just soldering wires together (heavier guage)

 

[227]

I'm interested in what every one has to say also this also. I have never had any luck with a soldering iron. I use a gun which seems to be the only thing hot enough to melt the solder, but I'm self taught so I'm curious what I'm doing wrong

 

[DangerBoy]

If your doing a lot of soldering (not circuit boards) invest in one of these
http://www.micromark.com/Triton-Resistance-Soldering-Iron,7890.html
you wont know how you ever got by without one

for quick field soldering I just use a bic lighter

Db

 

[peterlocal22]

anyone have a breakdown for what kind of wattage power is needed for different jobs?
For example how many watts is needed to solder an rc car, how many watts are needed for soldering basic wires on a motorcycle, how many watts are needed for soldering home stereo etc?

 

[Waternut]

I bought so many different soldering irons, guns, etc. in the past that I could've bought many soldering stations. Everything I've ever bought from a local store for under $30 has been total junk. Watts don't mean anything except power drain from your house. It has nothing to do with how hot it actually gets.

Buy yourself a decent soldering station and you'll never look back. I bought this one about 2 years ago. http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Dig...0QBW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1307895213&sr=8-7 It's by no means the best but it's awesome for anything I've needed it for. It has a digital temperature readout that you set the operating temperature on. It takes mine roughly 30-60 seconds to heat up from dead cold to 400°C which is what I typically solder wires together with. When you're done, wipe the tip on the wet sponge to clean it and you're ready for next time. Soldering wires has been quicker and easier than connectors now and it baffles me why so many people are dead set on connectors which corrode, come undone, etc.

 

[snowxr]

I really liked my Unger Soldering station. Lasted a good 15 years before it wore out.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I use an adjustable Weller Soldering station that has been excellent and was very reasonably priced. It's also the same station we use at work so replacement tips are...well, free!! :biggrin:

http://www.all-spec.com/products/WES51.html?ctype=2&gclid=CLTW1s_nsKkCFc925QodFhQvcQ

 

[peterlocal22]

anyone use a butane soldering tool

 

[Waternut]

anyone use a butane soldering tool

I USED one....once. It sucked donkey nuts!! You have to hold the torch on for like 30-60 seconds and hold it on while you solder. But you have to be careful because it can get too hot but it also cools really quickly. So basically, you use the entire tank of butane in the thing for 4-5 connections which takes roughly 30 minutes instead of a reasonable 2-3 minutes and then you have to fill it back up. I even tried one of those cold heat soldering irons that uses an arc to melt the solder instead of heat. That didn't work very well either.

The Weller soldering station that OCD solutions posted is good too. Weller is an excellent name. I like mine better but his will probably last longer and certainly has more soldering tips available for it.

 

[NVJAY775]

I really liked my Unger Soldering station. Lasted a good 15 years before it wore out.

Same here. Best one I ever had. The one Waternut listed should do the trick and the price is awesome. I think I paid $150 ish for mine years ago. I bet it still works fine for the bastard that stole it from me too. And get some descent solder for sure. 63% Tin 37 % Lead, rosin core, will treat you good.

 

[peterlocal22]

I USED one....once. It sucked donkey nuts!! You have to hold the torch on for like 30-60 seconds and hold it on while you solder. But you have to be careful because it can get too hot but it also cools really quickly. So basically, you use the entire tank of butane in the thing for 4-5 connections which takes roughly 30 minutes instead of a reasonable 2-3 minutes and then you have to fill it back up. I even tried one of those cold heat soldering irons that uses an arc to melt the solder instead of heat. That didn't work very well either.

The Weller soldering station that OCD solutions posted is good too. Weller is an excellent name. I like mine better but his will probably last longer and certainly has more soldering tips available for it.

too bad. after you use it for soldering you could then use the torch for heat shrinking. Its a two in one tool.
im suprised theres not a real good butane soldering kit by a good name tool company like snap on etc?

 

[mightymighty2stroke]

anyone use a butane soldering tool

Sorry, have to disagree with waternut here. My pin torch is my go-to soldering tool. The only time I don't use it if I'm in a tight spot (like way up under the dash of a car) or in an area where an open flame is not a good idea. It's tiny and easy to use, vs. trying to hang on to a big gun, or having to awkwardly deal with something that has to be plugged into the wall. The wires are heated almost instantly. If they're too hot then you are too close with the torch. You get a great connection since the wires are very hot, the solder just slips between them like hot butter. As far as longevity, I feel like mine goes forever between refills (which are very easy btw with a little butane refill can from the drug store) but then again I never have it cranked full blast either. I only use a soldering iron or gun when I absolutely have to. Moral of the story is buy some different tools, experiment, see what you like best.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I have a couple butane soldering irons too and they work very well for field work but nothing beats a good work station for heat up time, temp control and ease of use.

I have my small butane torch set up as a hot knife. (Weller P2K)
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103169372

The larger one is in my portable tool kit for doing trailer lights and other field work. (Weller PSI100K). *My personal favourite for all field work and I believe Snap-On sells the exact same unit just rebranded with their logo.?.?.
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103060976

I also keep a couple open flame butane torches around for emergency work and heat shrink jobs. My favourite is one shaped like a pistol that was only $10 at a gas station in Northern Alberta and it made me $1000 in one day at -47F. The butane pencil torches are very good at laying solder when joining larger gauge wires.
http://www.dhgate.com/gun-shaped-bu...-with/r-ff8080812c85e33a012c8937fafa1df6.html

For anything big like cable lugs, I pull out my trusty Bernz-O-Matic TS4000 self igniting propane torch. I have a couple of these scattered around the house and garage and they have been invaluable over the years.
http://www.bernzomatic.com/PRODUCTS...etail/mid/1009/xmid/6942/xmfid/3/Default.aspx

If you wanna talk big fire, I also keep a 200K BTU propane "Tiger Torch" around for good measure.
https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AG...Z2RhtTqc3NkZtdTBv!-734998074&item_code=TGR445

If there is one thing us Canadians know, it's how to start a fire, lol.

 

[Cannibal]

The larger one is in my portable tool kit for doing trailer lights and other field work. (Weller PSI100K). *My personal favourite for all field work and I believe Snap-On sells the exact same unit just rebranded with their logo.?.?.
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103060976

I have this one above, exact same, but Snap-On (so I probably paid more). It's my go-to for everything. Been going strong for 12years. It goes to the beach with me sometimes too.

If I need to have a soldering station, I break out my Xytronic 137esd
http://www.electronix.com/ceramic-element-solder-station-p-11021.html

I use the same as OCDboyinH2O and break out the torch for battery cables and such. I haven't had a need for anything else really.

The one in the quotes above would be the one I'd pick if I had to have only one. No cords, lots of heat, interchangeable tips, portable, and a decent price for a great tool. What more can you ask for?

 

[SXIPro]

I'm a Weller fan as well. I've had the same one for 20 years that came home with me when I got laid off. Get an assortment of tips and you are golden. I think I replaced the sponge twice in the last 20 years.

 

[peterlocal22]

I have this one above, exact same, but Snap-On (so I probably paid more). It's my go-to for everything. Been going strong for 12years. It goes to the beach with me sometimes too.

If I need to have a soldering station, I break out my Xytronic 137esd
http://www.electronix.com/ceramic-element-solder-station-p-11021.html

I use the same as OCDboyinH2O and break out the torch for battery cables and such. I haven't had a need for anything else really.

The one in the quotes above would be the one I'd pick if I had to have only one. No cords, lots of heat, interchangeable tips, portable, and a decent price for a great tool. What more can you ask for?

the butane you recommended i'm going with. Only i'm buying the snap on one cause i love snap on.
thanks for the heads up