soldering stuff?`

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fender3x · #1 Post by **fender3x** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:45 pm

I have just come to the realization (too soon old, too late smart...as usual) that my 150 W Weller soldering gun is probably the wrong tool for doing the sort soldering I am going to need to do on my crossover. Also, I have to replace a jack on my bass and those wires and connections look REALLY small to be working with my "big gun."

So, I am looking for advice and counsel for the total noob about what sort of an iron to get. Will a $20 Radio Shack do it? Something like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search

vexorgtr · #2 Post by **vexorgtr** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:05 pm

I say that Radio SHack sucks.......as a former employee, I'll triple say that RadioShack sucks and that RadioShackSucks.com is great.

There's a nice Soldering Iron 30W at CNA, and the price is a drop in the bucket...

http://www.cnaweb.com/contents/en-us/d79.html#p632

Add the soldering stand for convenience. The 40W is good too, but the 30W will get the job done and it doesn't cost much.

This is coming from someone who soldered with Pace, Tennma, Weller, and other top stuff. This little generic iron is pretty darn good.

Wal-Mart also sells a WL Lenk soldering iron that's decent.... you will want to use the largest tip in the kit.

dbaldock · #3 Post by **dbaldock** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:08 pm

It may work, but did you notice that the two reviewers both said they can't find any replacement tips for it? If you can't get replacement tips, it's basically a throwaway soldering iron.

There's a US$39.00 unit here that has a number of different types of replacement tips. Get a larger tip for thicker speaker wire and lugs, and a smaller one for delicate electronics soldering.

Take Care,
David Baldock

Tim A · #4 Post by **Tim A** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:17 pm

Well, if you're a cheap-ass like me, get this one. It works fine, although cord is a tad bit short. Replacement tips are $1.50 for a 3 pack.

I have a Weller and a RS too. This one is perfect for the kind of thing you want to solder, as well as speaker leads.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl ... er=370-010

fender3x · #5 Post by **fender3x** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:16 pm

Thanks all. I went with the Parts Express one, since I already have an acct. there...and...guilty as implied: I am a cheap-o. Still, I got the iron ($5) "helping hands" ($5.75) the stand ($2) and replacement tips (3 for $1.50) to go with it. Whoo-hoo! Big spender today

All the recs look good. Thanks!

bgavin · #6 Post by **bgavin** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:37 am

I use a Hakko solder station, http://www.kiesub.com/prostores/servlet ... ion/Detail

I do board level repair on computer motherboards, and this was the minimum acceptable rig that will get hot enough.

Tim A · #7 Post by **Tim A** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:52 am

Those helping hands are the shizzle. I got the same ones from Harbor Freight on sale for...$2! They're great when I'm soldering wires to a pot or jack.

LelandCrooks · #8 Post by **LelandCrooks** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:24 pm

For Xmas I got a Cold Heat solder gun. And you know, the durn thing works pretty well. Just don't try over 18g wire. It's slower than a traditional iron, but sure is handy in a car for head unit connections. Solder the joint, throw it on the floor. The technique is different also, takes some getting used to.

Likes batteries, a lot

Tom O'Shea · #9 Post by **Tom O'Shea** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:45 pm

Whoever's making the coldheat iron now (are they selling it at MCM? I forget where I saw it) has a higher powered "professional" model that's supposed to work faster.

Tom O'Shea