So what do you guys recommend (type and/or brand)? I'd use it for car audio (attaching wires to speakers...unless it is better to just use some sort of connector), to do some LEDs (window switches, climate control, and hazard/defrost), and to play with the upgraded 9007 headlight harness I ordered to make it into a 9004-9007 conversion harness. I don't want to go out and spend a fortune on the best of the best but I'd like to get a decent one. Also what gauge soldering wire? It seems like a smaller one would be better for the small wires/LEDS that would be involved here, but I really don't know. Any tips you pros want to give would be more than welcome as I've never really taken on soldering before. Thanks!!!

 

that wireless electric soldering iron that heats up and cools down in seconds, seems handy.. i want one

i dont think the brand really matters theyre all gonna work

 

Yeah I was looking into that. After a little bit of searching it seems that it may be no good for electronics as it uses an electric current between two tips to create heat...so not good for most of those LED projects.

 

really?? damn cus that woulda been real convienient (sp?)....as i was planning on redoing dash LED lights... and if its not good with electronics then wtf is it good for..

 

lol what the hell are you talking about? 2 tips? i have yet to see a soldering iron with 2 tips. soldering irons are no good for use with electronics? that makes them virtually useless then. that is not how a soldering iron works anyway. they are perfectly safe. you just have to pay attention to the heat and how long the tip is near the device being soldered.

 

my $6 iron works well for me.

 

goto Home Depot, buy the one from Weller

 

I realize most soldering irons don't work like that...That was in response to mendons suggestion of that "cold heat" thing from those "as seen on TV" type advertisements.

I was thinking that might be a good option, but did a quick search on yahoo and came across this. There are opinions on both sides of the argument, but frankly I'd rather not risk it...I'll stick with a conventional soldering iron, which is why I started this thread. And just FYI, the "cold heat" soldering iron DOES have two tips and heats by running an electrical current through them.

 

Wellers are excellent irons. However, if you are on a budget RadioShack brand irons work well too. I have a switchable 15W-30W iron from RadioShack that I have been using for about a year on a regular basis.

BTW I have the ColdHeat iron as well. It works very well for tinning wires, but I have yet to try it on sensitive electronic components as I'm scared of damage to them.

drew

 

if u have the $$$ to spend get one from matco or snap-on...i have the matco one and been using and abusing it for the past year......no problems so far(except that it eats butane really fast)....it goes for around $100.....u can get diferent size/shape tips too....

 

most u can swap tips
i didnt mention the Radio Shack ones b/c i dont like them. i have used them and the Weller's work consistently well for me