Please can anyone here recommend a soldering iron just for some basic things and to have one on hand. Doesn't need to be anything fancy.
Dave.
Dave.
Pinball info
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Soldering Iron
- Thread starter daveyp
- Start date
I reckon that would probably do the job if you don't plan on using it that much. However i've found that the longer you're in this game, the more soldering you end up doing, particularly if you want to do it yourself (some don't). Soldering isn't the easiest thing to get a handle on in the early days either, and cheap irons only tend to make it harder. However if it's just the odd job here or there, it doesn't matter so much.
That particular kit, it has some handy stuff in it like the solder sucker which is great to have on hand - but I don't imagine the DMM would be very good, and other thing like the tweezers youd only really use if you were doing tiny SMD (surface mount) soldering, which you probably wont. Good price though and reviews are good.
I initially had an all in one solder unit like that one (that just plugs in) but the one I have now is the earlier version of this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/75W-PROF...ATION-ESD-SAFE-LEAD-FREE-UK-F-C-/182354855995
Which was £15 second hand, although it took a while to find one.
That particular kit, it has some handy stuff in it like the solder sucker which is great to have on hand - but I don't imagine the DMM would be very good, and other thing like the tweezers youd only really use if you were doing tiny SMD (surface mount) soldering, which you probably wont. Good price though and reviews are good.
I initially had an all in one solder unit like that one (that just plugs in) but the one I have now is the earlier version of this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/75W-PROF...ATION-ESD-SAFE-LEAD-FREE-UK-F-C-/182354855995
Which was £15 second hand, although it took a while to find one.
If you are going to do lots - buy a weller soldering station.
If you are going to do a few bits - get an Antex - But I always used to carry the medium and large wattage ones. 25W and 35/40W.
Dont bother with the cheapo stuff.
Also buy a desoldering pump, some desolder braid, tip cleaning 'mesh'/sponge, a stand!
The most important - LEADED SOLDER IF YOU ARE WORKING ON PRE 2000 MADE PINS.
If you are going to do a few bits - get an Antex - But I always used to carry the medium and large wattage ones. 25W and 35/40W.
Dont bother with the cheapo stuff.
Also buy a desoldering pump, some desolder braid, tip cleaning 'mesh'/sponge, a stand!
The most important - LEADED SOLDER IF YOU ARE WORKING ON PRE 2000 MADE PINS.
Thanks for all the information everyone. I am actually a welder by trade but big heavy structural steel buildings.
I don’t intend to work on any PCB boards just some simple repairs like the Optos you very kindly gave me that night I met you in Tilt last year @Pick Holder
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This totally. A Weller or RS Solder Station. A lower amperage and higher amperage iron at least. More heat for a shorter period of time is better than less heat for a longer period of time. Which is pretty much the reverse of what you want if you're welding. Leaded absolutely. I think all my soldering irons were 2nd (100th) hand and are still good.
These are fantastic - TS100.
https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/ts100-soldering-iron-b2-with-xt60-lead
Very versatile and easy to control heat. I rebuilt a Fish Tales with this managing all electronic work under the table and a DMD board rebuild.
Highly recommended. Good honest review here https://hackaday.com/2017/07/24/review-ts100-soldering-iron/.
I use mine with a standard 12V power supply from a external hard disk or cctv. But can be powered from a battery also.
https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/ts100-soldering-iron-b2-with-xt60-lead
Very versatile and easy to control heat. I rebuilt a Fish Tales with this managing all electronic work under the table and a DMD board rebuild.
Highly recommended. Good honest review here https://hackaday.com/2017/07/24/review-ts100-soldering-iron/.
I use mine with a standard 12V power supply from a external hard disk or cctv. But can be powered from a battery also.
I recently managed to get this ex demo for about £50 I had been hanging my nose over them for ages and this popped up so I jumped at it, and wow it’s like night and day compared to my old ones, it heats up super quick and made soldering a hell of a lot easier.
Hakko FX-888D
D