New Soldering Iron and Solder REQUIRED PLEASE HELP?

[Justingt5]

I am in the market for a new Soldering Iron and some good quality solder? Can any soldering superstars recommend some decent yet affordable kit for me?

Currently using a Draper 40w iron and the standard solder that came with it, I have watched every tutorial on the web and been shown by some electronic whizz’s the correct way but still my soldering looks grey and not very shiny.

Some jobs just seem impossible. I watched one video on YouTube of a guy soldering wires to the posts on a TEKIN RX8 speedo (same as mine) and he put the iron on the post and the solder was flowing within a second drops the wire in and bobs your fathers brother......... but mine I can hold it there 3 or 4 sec and nowt happens and I am constantly conscious of overheating speedos whilst soldering.

I am sure it’s not just me as I manage just fine with connectors etc where I can allow more time for the heat to get through, just the more tricky jobs like ESC posts?

All help much appreciated

[MiCk B.]

Hi,

This is what I use:

(Had it for the last 10+ years.)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antex-660TC-.../dp/B003LYE1ES



Temperature controlled so you can leave it on all day.

Cheap and good range of replacement tips available.

MiCk B. :-)

[cutting42]

You need decent silver solder for motors and ESC I use this stuff, expensive but brilliant.

Soldering irons need to be able to keep the joint supplied with heat so higher power is better typically. Soldering stations have decent power supplies that can control the heat well and I use one for small scale electronics. For RC racing I have an amazing gas powered iron which is rated at 125W but is controllable and has interchangable bits and can be converted to a hot air gun for heat shrink tubing.

This is the kit I have, it is great value and has soldered 1/8th scale electrics. The make - Portasol - is the daddy of gas irons and they OEM for Snap On, Antex and a few other brands as well.

ebay link



All that and it is portable and can travel to the track with you!

[Justingt5]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps, I like the portability of a gas one, another friend of mine has just suggested one from Maplins that I can get tomorrow so may just run with that!!

What solder are people using as im sure half the trouble ive had has been with crap solder??

[cutting42]

The one I linked to, click on the word "this"

[cutting42]

Originally Posted by Justingt5

Thanks for the suggestions chaps, I like the portability of a gas one, another friend of mine has just suggested one from Maplins that I can get tomorrow so may just run with that!!

Make sure it has enough power, Maplin stuff can be a bit cheap and cheerful. Your 40W Draper is a capable iron and you are struggling with that. Do not be tempted to go cheap again or you will have the same issues.

[mark christopher]

I got the .aplun presision gold? (Black one) it's nit been defeated yet in motor and Speedo rewiring.

[Justingt5]

Originally Posted by cutting42

Make sure it has enough power, Maplin stuff can be a bit cheap and cheerful. Your 40W Draper is a capable iron and you are struggling with that. Do not be tempted to go cheap again or you will have the same issues.

Ha ha I didnt even spot the link to the solder, that stuffs not cheap is it, I would expect it to solder itself LOL.

The iron isnt a maplins own one, is an Pro Iroda Solder Pro 70 Gas Iron

A mate recommended it as he used one for work every day for 4yrs, 125watt does seem a bit overkill really and will surely eat gas. Besides Id rather support a retail store as opposed to an online wherever I can