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Audio Al
28-11-2012, 16:24
:) As I will be doing some soldering ( New for me )

I have read that you need a good hot iron that can transmit heat quickly to a isolated area and not one that only gets to a medium heat level causing the slow heat build up to travel along the electrical component possibly causing heat damage

With the above in mind can anyone recomend a decent quality iron

Also the best type of solder to get

Silver
Lead
prefluxed etc

Thanks

:)

Barry
28-11-2012, 16:29
I use a thermostatically controlled Weller soldering station. It is set up for tin/lead solder.

If you are going to use silver-loaded solder you will need a iron that can reach a higher temperature. The best bet would be to buy a solder station where you can 'dial in' the tip temperature.

Something like 20 watts should be fine.

brian2957
28-11-2012, 17:07
I use one of these . http://www.maplin.co.uk/50w-solder-station-35016

Also best if you can get a solder with a low melting point
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WBT-SILVER-SOLDER-4-AUDIOPHILE-GRADE-PER-METRE-DIY-0-8MM-/350644551432

I'm not an expert and I'm sure someone with more expertise than me will be along to give their take on this
but these work for me .:)

Martinh
28-11-2012, 17:26
+1 for the Weller soldering station.

If you get one of these, you'll never need to buy another.

Also make sure that the lead to the iron is nice and flexible. We have a budget Maplin one at work that has a stiff lead and its a pain to use. Consequently, the Weller one is the only one that gets used.

sq225917
28-11-2012, 18:25
i use the Maplin one it's ok decent wattage, sometimes for big chunks, output transitors/heatsinks etc 25 watts won't be enough. Also if working old boards you need to get in and out fast so quick heat transfer is important.

A big old chisel tip with a nice sharp edge suits me best. Easy to transfer heat and the sharp edge allows for work with small SMT parts.

A temp controlled unit is best.

Audio Al
28-11-2012, 18:39
I use one of these . http://www.maplin.co.uk/50w-solder-station-35016

Also best if you can get a solder with a low melting point
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WBT-SILVER-SOLDER-4-AUDIOPHILE-GRADE-PER-METRE-DIY-0-8MM-/350644551432

I'm not an expert and I'm sure someone with more expertise than me will be along to give their take on this
but these work for me .:)


I use one of these . http://www.maplin.co.uk/50w-solder-station-35016

The reviews are crap 1 out of 5 on one review

Mark Grant
28-11-2012, 18:48
If you dont want to spend on a decent make soldering station an Antex TCS would be good and does not cost much.

The temperature control is built into the handle and adjusted with a small screwdriver.

It is 50 watts so has some power for when the going gets tough.

http://www.rapidonline.com/tools-equipment/antex-tcs-temperature-controlled-soldering-iron-30198/

http://www.antex.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=180&P_ID=828

Buy the one with silicone flex from rapid as is very flexible and does not melt when you accidentally touch it with a hot bit.

Barry
28-11-2012, 19:39
I think mine is the same as this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-WTCP-Soldering-Station-50W/dp/B004GX8GR6/ref=sr_1_244?ie=UTF8&qid=1354131369&sr=8-244

Audio Al
28-11-2012, 19:46
I think mine is the same as this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-WTCP-Soldering-Station-50W/dp/B004GX8GR6/ref=sr_1_244?ie=UTF8&qid=1354131369&sr=8-244

Sadly out of my price range for the odd job :(

Martinh
28-11-2012, 19:51
I think mine is the same as this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-WTCP-Soldering-Station-50W/dp/B004GX8GR6/ref=sr_1_244?ie=UTF8&qid=1354131369&sr=8-244

That's the one I have too. Didn't realise that they cost that much.

brian2957
28-11-2012, 19:56
The reviews are crap 1 out of 5 on one review

I don't do a lot of soldering . I've had mine for nearly 2 years . It is cheap and meets my needs . I do believe that you get what you pay for . The dearer ones will probably be better if you're planning to do a lot of soldering.

kenworthy100
28-11-2012, 20:03
I don't do a lot of soldering . I've had mine for nearly 2 years . It is cheap and meets my needs . I do believe that you get what you pay for . The dearer ones will probably be better if you're planning to do a lot of soldering.

Spot on, if you are buying to complete a one off repair the Maplin iron will be more than adequate and represent good value, however, if you are intending to regularly solder or complete extensive repair work then the Weller stations are ideal and have a long service life.

I solder on static sensitive items (cd lasers, computer components) so use a Weller ESD safe solder station. I have had mine for three years of very heavy use without any problems.

vinylspinner
28-11-2012, 21:19
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-WTCP-Soldering-Station-50W/dp/B004GX8GR6/ref=sr_1_244?ie=UTF8&qid=1354131369&sr=8-244

I have a spare bnib power unit for this station if anyone interested, £35.00 plus postage.

cheers

Nigel

vinylspinner
28-11-2012, 21:37
Hi Al,

I have one of these Maplin jobbies if you want to try it, foc, just cover the postage, nothing wrong with these, basic but they do the job, pm me if interested.

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=2113X565594&site=theartofsound.net&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maplin.co.uk%2F50w-solder-station-35016&xguid=81045e37dbf4739321ad2bcd70a0986c&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound.net%2Fforum%2Fshow thread.php%3Ft%3D22085&pref=http%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound.net%2Fforum%2Fshow thread.php%3Fp%3D387814%23post387814

Nigel

UV101
28-11-2012, 22:06
My irons probably on 1 or 2 evenings a week. I'm always messing with something for someone.

I used to use antex fixed jobbies when I was in the service industry but now at home I use a maplins solderstation. It is miles better. you can control the temperature and turn it up on big stuff and on smt stuff that uses the copper as heatsink (which can be a pain!!!) Spare tips and actually irons available very cheap too!!

http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/n89cz.jpg
http://www.maplin.co.uk/60w-lcd-display-solder-station-218050

Poss a bit more than you'd want to spend for occasional use, but much cheaper than some of the branded equivilents.

Solder wise, its all rubbish now!! lol

not very often you can find a solder that cools nice and shiny these days!!
I use std maplin stuff for every day, mudorf supreme in expensive stuff and mundorf silver/gold in the signal path.can you hear the difference???? I doubt it but it makes me feel better!!!!!!!!

Sonority
28-11-2012, 22:28
I refuse to use manky lead free solder while I can still use the good old fashioned stuff - which is still freely available if you know where to look ;)

Nice shiny joints and great flowing / melting.

Just only use it on DIY for yourself.. :eyebrows:

http://uk.farnell.com/multicore-solder/d6192-solder-reel/solder-wire-60-40-1-0mm-250g/dp/453584

UV101
28-11-2012, 22:44
I refuse to use manky lead free solder while I can still use the good old fashioned stuff - which is still freely available if you know where to look ;)

Nice shiny joints and great flowing / melting.

Just only use it on DIY for yourself.. :eyebrows:

http://uk.farnell.com/multicore-solder/d6192-solder-reel/solder-wire-60-40-1-0mm-250g/dp/453584

Is that the proper stuff??? I though it was all lead free now an crap????

Audio Al
28-11-2012, 22:58
Hi Al,

I have one of these Maplin jobbies if you want to try it, foc, just cover the postage, nothing wrong with these, basic but they do the job, pm me if interested.

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=2113X565594&site=theartofsound.net&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maplin.co.uk%2F50w-solder-station-35016&xguid=81045e37dbf4739321ad2bcd70a0986c&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound.net%2Fforum%2Fshow thread.php%3Ft%3D22085&pref=http%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound.net%2Fforum%2Fshow thread.php%3Fp%3D387814%23post387814

Nigel




Thanks for the offer but I am not keen on borrowing items just in case they go missing or go wrong when in my custody ;)

rusty bearing
29-11-2012, 07:58
The one I use may 'tick the boxes' sort of thing , reasonable price, controllable etc. So far I've rewired tonearms, heating boiler circuit boards, large phono plugs.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/zd-929c-89-2934/temperature-controlled-soldering/dp/SD01117.

Thing Fish
29-11-2012, 08:51
I hate lead free solder. Get the lead stuff if you can. That's my advice as an ex electronics engineer.

Sonority
29-11-2012, 08:57
Is that the proper stuff??? I though it was all lead free now an crap????

Yes, it's the 'real' stuff, you will not find it freely for sale everywhere as it's intended use may be incorrect (soldering water pipes etc) but for some personal use stuff it is actually not illegal (yet) - so while you still can - get yourself the stuff that makes soldering fun :)

OneyedK
29-11-2012, 09:05
I use a Weller WS81. Very happy with it.
I wanted something ESD-safe and with high enough temperature to be able to unsolder lead-free crap.
It get's used on all kinds of gear, both p2p and pcb stuff...
At work we also use Weller soldering stations, some of them are around 30 years of age. They still work fine.

dowser
29-11-2012, 09:52
Yes, it's the 'real' stuff, you will not find it freely for sale everywhere as it's intended use may be incorrect (soldering water pipes etc) but for some personal use stuff it is actually not illegal (yet) - so while you still can - get yourself the stuff that makes soldering fun :)

Seconded - especially if you are new to soldering then you need the leaded stuff (it flows much better).

Richard

vinylspinner
02-12-2012, 09:31
ref: Maplins solder station

Hi Al,

Sorry Al, I meant it was foc if you wanted it, just cover my postage at cost, I have some spare tips as well.

Available to any other member here if Al is sorted and does'nt want it.

regards

Nigel

Audio Al
02-12-2012, 09:36
ref: Maplins solder station

Hi Al,

Sorry Al, I meant it was foc if you wanted it, just cover my postage at cost, I have some spare tips as well.

Available to any other member here if Al is sorted and does'nt want it.

regards

Nigel


:) Great thanks PM on its way