New soldering iron

[hayfield]

Dave

 

Thanks, that was one concern I had and was going to check prior to buying. I have held back a bit from buying one mainly due to lack of modelling time, plus I have bought a big 80 watt normal style one for the big jobs

[Guest CLARENCE]

Thanks for the input, folks. The seller has stopped replying to my emails, and if I'm honest I simply can't be bothered to take things any further. The item only cost £15, and yes I should have known better!

I don't want to spend too much, certainly not the £50 or £60 suggested; as I said its only for wiring track and point motors, so I don't need anything sophisticated. I shall look around for something at a reasonable price that'll give me what I need.

Once again, thanks for the help.

[meil]

Buy your self one of these, if that's all you want it for: https://www.screwfix.com/p/soldering-iron-230v-40w/40326#_=p

[Jol Wilkinson]

If you are doing is layout wiring and minor repairs then an Antex 15W or 25W has much to recommend it. Reliable, range of replacement bits, etc.

 

If building etched kits then a good quality Temperature Controlled Soldering Station is  a benefit.  Xytronic, Ersa, Hakko (look out for cheap rip offs), Antex, Weller, etc. Brands sold by suppliers such as Rapid, RS, Farnell are going to be reliable, with proper sales backup.

 

In the end you pays your money, etc. but over the years I have found that buying good quality tools always pays off.

 

 

[Steamport Southport]

I would go for an Antex as well. Bought from a reputable retailer. They do package deals for the 18 and 25 watt with stands for about £25. It might seem a bit steep, but should last years.

 

I would also keep all packaging and receipts for about a month for any electrical goods. Just in case.

 

 

Jason

[Andy Hayter]

I have just bought a new temperature controlled unit from Circuit Specialists Europe - a CSE-CSI Premier75W Digital -  and am very impressed both with the iron and with  the service. 

Delivery to France in 47 hours.

Vastly superior to the old unit it replaced (a old pot type).

Reaches low melt control temperature (195 C) in around 15 seconds.  The old one took minutes.

Easy to use and set up.  

[Junctionmad]

That Atten unit is very common badged by several suppliers , we bought one as our club soldering iron , as it been working well over the last year , hard at work nearly every week 

[michaelp]

22 hours ago, CLARENCE said:

Thanks for the input, folks. The seller has stopped replying to my emails, and if I'm honest I simply can't be bothered to take things any further. The item only cost £15, and yes I should have known better!

I don't want to spend too much, certainly not the £50 or £60 suggested; as I said its only for wiring track and point motors, so I don't need anything sophisticated. I shall look around for something at a reasonable price that'll give me what I need.

Once again, thanks for the help.

David,

I use an Antex  25W soldering iron, there are different sized tips available too. They are on Ebay for about £27.00 post free.

Michael

 

 

[hayfield]

1 hour ago, michaelp said:

David,

I use an Antex  25W soldering iron, there are different sized tips available too. They are on Ebay for about £27.00 post free.

Michael

 

 

 

 

I have two of these and a selection of tips, they are fine for 4 mm scale work, for both normal and low melt solder. I have found even using the larger size tip it struggles with the size of 7 mm etched brass kits and rail. I have a cheap 80 watt iron from my local tool shop which is fine for most big jobs, but is a bit awkward for some of the smaller jobs

 

The quality of Antex irons is very good though

 

[Guest CLARENCE]

UPDATE;  Finally they have sent me a replacement, same model as before. Possibly because I've been nagging at them by email for  couple of weeks!

We'll see how it works, heats up OK tho' I've not actually used it in anger yet.

Edited February 14, 2019 by CLARENCE
spelin!