Soldering iron advice

[RTJ]

Someone has recommended this, what is your advice please?:

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...84#ht_966wt_922

 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

[scot6p]

Hi Richard, pretty good for 0 gauge but if your building 4-6-0's I would get a 80watt or bigger soldering iron as well you can get cheap but good ones of these if you look around.

Regards

 

Len Cattley

[Guest Natalie Graham]

You can find an Antex 80W or 100W at around £20. As to the one in your link you might want to look at the reviews on Amazon. One is mildly disconcerting although the reviewer still gave it four stars.

[RTJ]

Thanks everyone!

 

Still undecided....

 

What's the ideal temp for soldering white metal?

 

Thanks again,

 

Richard

[Huw Griffiths]

I used to use soldering irons a lot for work - including soldering stations. Although I was careful to look after this equipment, it would probably have seen more use in a typical month than most soldering irons see in a lifetime. Inevitably, this is bound to colour the way I look at soldering irons.

 

(Amongst other things, I installed resistance strain gauges - thousands of the things - and often found that the soldering station needed to stay on for most of the day.)

 

 

If I were in your position, I'd check the position about spares availability. I'm thinking in terms of elements - and especially tips.

 

The reason I'm saying this is that, over the years, a number of designs of iron have come and gone - unfortunately, so have spares for quite a few of them.

 

 

Another issue is how the iron "feels" when you hold it - is it uncomfortable to hold - does the wire (eg from the base unit, if you're using a solder station) significantly restrict movement? You won't be able to try using an iron before you buy - but a lot of specialist electronic component suppliers have shops, where you can inspect a sample.

 

 

For reasons like this, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that a lot of people who regularly use soldering irons tend to go for "name" brands (Antex - Weller - makes like that).

 

You probably also won't be surprised to learn that people like me also have definite personal preferences about which brand we like using.

 

There are a number of good makes - and reputable suppliers - they don't always come cheap, but the good ones are usually worth the money.

 

 

It is possible to "under-specify" soldering irons - it's also possible to "over-specify" - but, if you can work out what you're likely to use an iron for, you should be able to find something that will do what you want. It's possible that this might mean different irons for different jobs (something "meaty" for assembling loco and carriage bodyshells - and something smaller for wiring).

 

However, I'd always go for makes / types I've heard of (or which come recommended by people who are used to them). I've always taken the line that cheap tools are usually cheap for a reason - and that I can't afford to use cheap tools.

 

 

This is my personal opinion - and I've got reasons for holding this opinion - how much weight you attach to it is your choice.

 

 

Regards,

 

Huw.

[Guest Natalie Graham]

What's the ideal temp for soldering white metal?

 

Some will disagree but I like the iron nice and hot with a fine tip so it melts the solder quickly before the whitemetal castings start to melt. The longer it takes to make the joint the more time for the heat to flow into the castings and melt them.

[RTJ]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

I eventually decided to go a little up-market...

...ERSA-RDS-80.

 

I found it cheapest at Conrads.

 

I know some people have expressed reservations about the stiffness oif the cable. We'll see...

 

THanks again,

 

BW

 

Richard