soldering iron?

[darryl2113]

this might have been touched on a million times, but...been thinking about seriously investing in better tools for working on/building/fixing amps and pedals and was wondering what recommendations you guys had for soldering irons. I have 2 radio shack ones, I think they are pretty low temperature as I have had problems in the past with desoldering things because the solder wouldn't melt.

[McSpunckle]

The 25 watt Radio Shack irons only work well for lugs of pots and such. And I dunno how good the joints are.

I have (had, it broke) a Weller 40 watt that worked much better.


viewtopic.php?f=43&t=204&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I've been looking at the one Devi posted in that thread. Just haven't invested in it yet. (Because nobody will buy things from me >.<)

[metalmariachi]

I now have several (maybe I collect these things).
Most were bought at ham fests for a buck or so.
I did have a Radio Shack 35 watter for a bout 20 years.
It finally died.

The radio shack ones work fine as long as you don't buy the cheapest one.
Some are copies of Weller and some are copies of Unger.

Also the Chinese tool store occasionally has one that won't catch fire or stop working within a day, good luck with that though

If you want quality, order one from Mouser.(see link in parts source thread).

I'd recommend 35 watts as the most useful all round iron.

That won't solder grounds to the back of pots though. I use an 80 watter for that and for grounds to amp chassis.

MM

[ohsojayadeva]

+1 on the radio shack iron. don't be afraid of the cheap ones either if that's all you can find. - the advantage is you dont have to worry about being too attached, they're cheap to replace!

[darryl2113]

do they not make soldering irons with switches for different wattages?? like a switch from hot to hottest...?

[darryl2113]

well, considering I spent almost 60 bucks on my multimeter, spending 70 on a weller seems reasonable

[23F]

orange weller ... never fails know a tech been using one for over 20 years