Tool Talk
03-29-2006, 05:35 PM
#1
Suspension Yoda
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Central, NJ
Posts: 13,501
Tool Talk
I'm extremely bored so I wanted to get your opinions.
I was installing cold cathodes in my trunk (those fockers are bright btw) when I looked into my toolbox and noticed my soldering iron had disassembled itself again. (These tiny little screws keep unscrewing for some reason) Got p!ssed and threw it out. Now I need something to solder with, either a gun or an iron, maybe both.
What do you guys use? I've had good experiences with Weller guns.
Also, wth do all those diff tips on the iron do?
I was installing cold cathodes in my trunk (those fockers are bright btw) when I looked into my toolbox and noticed my soldering iron had disassembled itself again. (These tiny little screws keep unscrewing for some reason) Got p!ssed and threw it out. Now I need something to solder with, either a gun or an iron, maybe both.
What do you guys use? I've had good experiences with Weller guns.
Also, wth do all those diff tips on the iron do?
03-29-2006, 10:55 PM
#12
If you want something simple that works fine for most things, Weller. Theres a gun that Radio Shack has though, 30 bucks, dual heat, that weighs like 5 pounds and can solder 8 gauge without a flinch. Ive had two different Wellers that are butane powered, and buying butane sucks, but wireless is fantastic. Craftsman also makes a good one, but its 60 bucks. They all die eventually though with the amount of use I give them, mainly the tips. I guess soldering guns are just one of those things that don't last.
03-30-2006, 06:57 AM
#15
The Weller's are nice, but way too expensive for my taste. I have had my Radio Shack soldering iron for around 4 years, and it has seen ALOT of action.
My only gripe is that the tip comes loose from time to time, by that my fault due to sanding the tip as a boundary layer forms.
Weller is the way to go, but only if the work really warrants having such a high-end iron/gun. Otherwise, I recommend a 40W soldering iron from Radio Shack...
Another thing, it helps to tighten the screw before you solder...when the iron heats up, the screw expands to tighten the collar. As it cools, it may become a little loose. For the 20 seconds it takes to tighten it, I'll live.
My only gripe is that the tip comes loose from time to time, by that my fault due to sanding the tip as a boundary layer forms.
Weller is the way to go, but only if the work really warrants having such a high-end iron/gun. Otherwise, I recommend a 40W soldering iron from Radio Shack...
Another thing, it helps to tighten the screw before you solder...when the iron heats up, the screw expands to tighten the collar. As it cools, it may become a little loose. For the 20 seconds it takes to tighten it, I'll live.
03-30-2006, 08:35 AM
#17
Originally Posted by machinehead
i have a walmart soldering iron, and i havent been able to solder **** with it.
03-30-2006, 08:47 AM
#19
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 140
I use an older Weller Gun, I think its called the expert (well older than me) for bigger stuff or soldering wires lower than 18 gauge. For the small stuff and circuit boards I have a digital adjustable Weller iron (really nice one) that a neighbor of mine sold to me for $20 a few years back (can't remember model #). With my experience with them I wouldn't go with anything other than weller unless your gonna spend alot then theres alot of good stuff out there like some of the nicer Hacko and Metcals (only 2 other high end brands I've used).
03-30-2006, 10:20 AM
#20
Originally Posted by Metal Maxima
How many watts? I have used a 25W iron before, worked like ****. +40W will do juuuuust fine.
Hey did you ever sent out those LED's? I still haven't gotten them. It's been like over a month now.
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