zxoldboy Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 Hi Can anyone recommend a starter soldering iron to be used for fitting wiring to N gauge track please. There just appears so many to choose from and I want to make sure I have a quality one. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 11 hours ago, zxoldboy said: Hi Can anyone recommend a starter soldering iron to be used for fitting wiring to N gauge track please. There just appears so many to choose from and I want to make sure I have a quality one. Thanks If this is all you need to do, look on Amazon for a 15 pound set with all the bits. I have lots of soldering kit but two of these Chinese beauties are my everyday go to irons. Spend the money on something else. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Easy! there are Antex and then there are the rest. There is this starter set. It's not cheap, but has all you need to get started. https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/Starter-Sets.html 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted December 11, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 11, 2021 6 minutes ago, Il Grifone said: Easy! there are Antex and then there are the rest. Well, in fairness, there are probably a few makes worth considering (for example, I've used Weller quite a bit over the years) - but Antex is definitely one of the best. In some ways, soldering irons can be a bit like fountain pens - amongst a lot of people who've used them a lot, an element of personal preference comes into choosing them - they don't all "handle" the same, for instance. However, they really need to be safe - and solidly built - and it's important that you can get spare parts (now and in the future). A number of "cheap" soldering irons seem to be "cheap" for a reason - and I personally wouldn't touch many of them with a disinfected bargepole. In other words, I'd definitely agree with the advice to buy an Antex. As long as you're sensible with how you use it (I'm sure you will be), I don't think you can go wrong with Antex - they're well made - their internal wiring isn't waiting to give you an electric shock - and you can get spare parts (tips, elements etc). Over time, you might need a number of bits for different jobs - you'll be able to get them. I think you get the general idea. Regards, Huw. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Antex. But shop around you might find a deal. I got the 25 watt one recently to replace an old one. Slightly cheaper at Hattons. https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/siteresults?searchfield=antex No idea whether this is any good. Certainly cheap. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Antex-SYN2420-ER30-Soldering-Yellow/dp/B006DIGXGS/ref=sr_1_15?crid=RMPDLTRQID52&keywords=antex&qid=1639235442&sprefix=antex%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-15 Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Torper Posted December 11, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 11, 2021 5 hours ago, Il Grifone said: Easy! there are Antex and then there are the rest. I suppose that's true but not in the way you intend it - I've got two Antex irons and never got on well with either of them. I eventually gave up with them and got a Chinese soldering station instead and It was a joy to use and gave me years of excellent service. Not that that helps the OP of course. DT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxoldboy Posted December 11, 2021 Author Share Posted December 11, 2021 Hi , enjoying the feedback. I have ordered the 25W antex. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamThomas Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Huw sums it up well. I had an Antex one with the temperature setting in the handle - gave me many years service until I lent it to someone.................... I then bought a Maplin Branded Soldering Station, again good service until they no longer supplied the bits. The next decent one I bought was something like £8 from a car accessory shop when I was away from home - lasted years as a standby & did not kill me - cheap soldering irons must be luck of the draw. Currently, I have an Antex Soldering Station but I just don't get on with it - time, maybe to invest in a Hakko ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Torper Posted December 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 12, 2021 7 hours ago, SamThomas said: Currently, I have an Antex Soldering Station but I just don't get on with it - time, maybe to invest in a Hakko ? In what way dion't you get on with it? Without knowing that it's difficult to know if a Hakko will suit you any better. Although I am a Happy Hakko owner myself, I also know that you don't have to spend that amount of money to get a decent soldering station - recently a CSI unit has been getting lots of praise on another thread. DT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamThomas Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 The Antex just does not seem to get hot enough & it's been back to Antex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Never had any problems with Antex apart from a series of carppy replacement bits, but they might have been clone spares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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