Soldering

[metzican]

So for all you soldering experts out there. What soldering iron do you recommend I'm going to be soldering LED strips. I have a old school gun style that just seems to be to persist and to hot. Also what solder do you use for this small stuff. It does not help I shake like crazy.

 

[Diadaga]

I'm by no means a soldering expert; but what soldering I have done recently on my airsoft guns (couple months ago) I did using a Wal-Mart iron and solder. Results came out good and have held through large amounts of jarring.

 

[bottobro]

Helping hands are great and also if you get a variable hest soldering station. That would help

 

[Silver dude]

Get a good Pencil type soldering iron. The soldering guns are all garbage don't waste your time. I own a super nice $125 Hakko Soldering station I absolutely love, before that I used a cheap iron for many years. For occasional use I'd just get yourself a cheaper pencil type iron.

Like a Weller 30 watt or something like it would be perfect for what you're doing.
http://smile.amazon.com/Weller-SP40...qid=1421054387&sr=8-9&keywords=soldering+iron

 

[Muadeeb]

I personally have a Weller WES-51. Adjustable temperatures make it very nice to have, but it is also about $100
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU

The only thing I find the 'guns' useful for is soldering to large pieces of metal, typically inners of 7/8" coax and such. I might use one on a PL-259 (the kind on a CB) in a pinch.

 

[Mirage]

My friend has a nice solder station with the variable heat knob on the base unit, I love using that thing, its so effortless and I can make good solder joints every time. When I can't use that I use a weller gun type with a high/lo trigger, its ok and gets the job done most of the time but occasionally it will be a PITA to get flowing and result in an ugly globby solder joint.

 

[KBC]

As other's have said get a half decent pencil type. Clean the tip often on a wet sponge and then re-tin it right after.

 

[slantyshanty]

I prefer flux core solder. If you can still find tin/lead that is pretty nice also but obviously lead isn't good for you. Diameter of the solder makes a huge difference in your ability to make clean solder joints. If you are brazing copper pipe then go ahead and use the large stuff but trying to use that on very small stuff will just make a mess, piss you off, and ruin your job.

I also like to use flux and solder wick when needed but it's not a must.

 

[KBC]

Just exhale when it's making fumes and wash your hands after. The lead stuff isn't that bad for you if you are doing it in a well ventilated area and washing afterwards.

 

[Prime]

Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_QocTub02PAGDM

This thing is awesome for small electronics.

I prefer very small silver bearing solder that is made for electronics. With proper temperature control and tip tinning, flux is unnecessary.

 

[metzican]

Well thank you for all your advice. I ended up picking up a varible temp one from Radio Shack. Normally I would of ordered from Amazon something better. But I just had the urge to get started on this soldering stuff. Wow what a difference it made. I also got much smaller solder silver and flux core, I like them both. Still figuring out this whole shaky hand deal. Only if I could have a drink.

Just the start of all the soldering that is required.

 

[metzican]

Ohh yeah being single is awesome, I can do all the work on my coffee table!!

 

[qu1cks1lver56]

I see you already bought one, but if you ever need a new one, I recommend this

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WPS18MP-High-Performance-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0013U9R1E

Get's to temp super fast and the element is in the tip so when you replace the tip you get a new heating element.

 

[JeffPro4x]

I see you already bought one, but if you ever need a new one, I recommend this

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WPS18MP-High-Performance-Soldering-Iron/dp/B0013U9R1E

Get's to temp super fast and the element is in the tip so when you replace the tip you get a new heating element.

I just bought this one at HD. Attempted to solder 14g wire and I couldn't get it to heat the wire enough to make solder run. Admittedly, I'm a noob at electrical stuff so maybe I was doing something wrong.

 

[qu1cks1lver56]

I've soldered 8ga wire with that iron. Get it hot, put a little solder on the iron, hold the wire to the iron and start feeding solder in once it gets hot enough. I use really small rosin core solder.


Sent from the future

 

[JeffPro4x]

I've soldered 8ga wire with that iron. Get it hot, put a little solder on the iron, hold the wire to the iron and start feeding solder in once it gets hot enough. I use really small rosin core solder.


Sent from the future

That's what I did. I wonder if I got a chisel tip? Dunno. I'll have to play around with it some.

 

[metzican]

I ended up even though I hate this place they had the most options. A variable temp by dial radio shack one. The best one they had in the store. The price was not that bad. I love it. With the lighter weight it makes it easy to deal with small stuff. My biggest issue still is my shaky hands which is why I'm always trying to figure out how to hold everything together to mitigate it.

 

[JeffPro4x]

I'm also using small rosin core.

 

[Airmapper]

I use one of these, and here is why:

Heats up fast, like 15 seconds or so and it's able to melt solder.
No cord to get in the way.
As such, it's portable, can be used anywhere. With or without an outlet.
Use your wire strippers to pull the solder attachment out, and instantly hit the shrink wrap with the flame. (watch where you drop that attachment though...)
Or twist out the solder head and use the built in heat gun.

And since it's a torch, you can heat stubborn bolts, start fires, or if your very patient and careful, make a grilled cheese sandwich....

More delicate tools may be better for fine work, but if your jumping around working on something big, making lots of connections, this thing is the best tool in your collection. I rewired my Bronco with this thing.

 

[Rhaas]

I agree with Airmapper. Butane soldering is the best thing ever. I got so sick of having to lug around a 50ft orange extension cord just to plug my soldering iron in. Plus, it would then take forever to heat up. Whereas Butane, heats up instantly and there is no cords in the way. Add in heat shrink wrap abilities and much more, butane beats electric solder iron in every way!! This was the best switch I ever made!!!

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

Depends. I also have a Weller WES-51 that I've had for like 15 years. I've bought cheap pensil irons to use in times where I don't have my kit with me or easilly accessible, but they don't like to work after several uses. It gets hot, but just doesn't want to solder. Even after passing the tip on a wheel it doesn't really help that much. On my Weller it's the same tip since i've had it.

I have a butane torch. I like it for large gauge wire and for shrinking the shrink wrap.

I use the iron for stuff like 12awg and smaller. More precise and less likely to melt the shielding. Of course when I do circuit boards that's the tool for the job.
The torch is used for 10awg and larger, and for connectors and shrink wrap.

 

[Muadeeb]

The proper tool for the job and all that