Soldering Iron Dies
- Thread starter Dinky
- Start date
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
Depends on what it is you want to do... hot air rework station for surface mount stuff.
Small 15w iron for component repair on boards? something larger for big stuff, say 35w? Portable so you can solder cordless?
The Milwaukee M12 cordless is my general go to unless I am doing stuff that needs a magnifying glass and 5 hands?
Small 15w iron for component repair on boards? something larger for big stuff, say 35w? Portable so you can solder cordless?
The Milwaukee M12 cordless is my general go to unless I am doing stuff that needs a magnifying glass and 5 hands?
BobT
New Member
I've been using a Hakko 907 30 watt station for years for general assembly and board repair. My particular station is obsolete but the Hakko brand seems to be very reliable but a little pricey.
OffGridInTheCity
Solar Wizard
I've soldered many fuse wires from buss to 8650 cells for DIY batteries over the last 7 years. In the 100w range (which works nicely on 18650 cells), have found Weller to last multiple year with no issues - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I7X7ZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 22,550
For PC boards, ideally you would use a thermostatically regulated iron.
This is a moderately priced one that appears to have temperature control.
Commercial operations often use Metcal. Pricy, but has a special technology for temperature control. I got a couple at auction.
Replacement tips cost about $30. They last longer if powered down when pausing work. Newer units do that automatically with holder, I use a foot switch.
Simple open-loop heating element soldering irons have trouble with heavy workpieces. Thermostatically controlled ones turn up the power to bring tip and workpiece back to setpoint quickly.
Hot air as mentioned is good for some things, like removing ICs with body pads or many leads.
This is a moderately priced one that appears to have temperature control.
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-Digital-Soldering-Station-WE1010NA/dp/B077JDGY1J/ref=asc_df_B077JDGY1J
Commercial operations often use Metcal. Pricy, but has a special technology for temperature control. I got a couple at auction.
Replacement tips cost about $30. They last longer if powered down when pausing work. Newer units do that automatically with holder, I use a foot switch.
Simple open-loop heating element soldering irons have trouble with heavy workpieces. Thermostatically controlled ones turn up the power to bring tip and workpiece back to setpoint quickly.
Hot air as mentioned is good for some things, like removing ICs with body pads or many leads.
Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 22,550
Oh, splicing wire?
Mostly we use wire nuts or set-screw couplings. There are some designs for wet locations.
In old times, wires were twisted, soldered, taped for house wiring, suspended with knob and tube. Today we make connections inside boxes.
Wires will carry away a lot of heat, you you'll need higher wattage. Hopefully temperature controlled so it doesn't damage insulation too quickly.
If used in a shop rather than in the field, a solder cup could be an effective way to quickly solder connections.
I had an iron that took large diameter tips. I brazed a 1/4" diameter rod and plates of brass together to make a cup that mounted on the iron.
Mostly we use wire nuts or set-screw couplings. There are some designs for wet locations.
In old times, wires were twisted, soldered, taped for house wiring, suspended with knob and tube. Today we make connections inside boxes.
Wires will carry away a lot of heat, you you'll need higher wattage. Hopefully temperature controlled so it doesn't damage insulation too quickly.
If used in a shop rather than in the field, a solder cup could be an effective way to quickly solder connections.
I had an iron that took large diameter tips. I brazed a 1/4" diameter rod and plates of brass together to make a cup that mounted on the iron.
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
This is my solder station for bench work....
I also have a simple Weller station iron, want to buy it, nearly new?
My goto portable
I also have a simple Weller station iron, want to buy it, nearly new?
My goto portable
Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Soldering Iron (Tool-Only) 2488-20 - The Home Depot
Do all your drilling work effortlessly with the help of this wonderful Milwaukee M LithiumIon Cordless Soldering Iron.
www.homedepot.com
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