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i was wondering what would be a good soldering iron to buy, im just learning how to solder im 18 years old ive been teaching myself how to do automotive repairs for about a year and everytime something comes up where i have to solder i dont attempt it because im not sure what i should buy plus i wasnt sure if it was hard. i would like to finally learn how to do it so please any suggestions or tips are a huge help
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There are different kinds of soldering and different kinds of solder as well as different kinds of soldering tools. For automotive soldering of wires I would recommend a soldering gun. I own a Weller (don’t know the model number off the top of my head) with 2 heat settings which serves me well. I also have a Weller soldering pencil with adjustable heat settings for more delicate electronics work. I would suggest you go to Utube and search soldering, I’m sure there will be some good videos available there. Hope this helps.
gas irons are handy because you have no cord and you can use it for many other things i will warn you you may have to open it up to adjust it some more because i got mine of ebay and it was not hot enuff dont worry when you adjust it you dont need to undo and gas fittings i have not used a solidering gun but i know the pencile style works well and is easy to use .for solidering wires you want a flat tip not pointy tip for more help look up eevblog on you tube banana:
we are taught in school to never use an electric soldering gun under a dash as it could induce unexpected current in circuits… (conversely, this property can be used as an electrical troubleshooting method in some situations) I would go with the gas soldering gun.
All the guns I have looked at have different watts.What should I look to get. 99% of work done with it will be for automotive work so what would be an appropriate gun for that
pick one that is adjustable temp because ive used one that had a low wottage and one with a high wattage and they are both equaly shit
[quote=”Wrench Turner” post=34002]we are taught in school to never use an electric soldering gun under a dash as it could induce unexpected current in circuits… (conversely, this property can be used as an electrical troubleshooting method in some situations) I would go with the gas soldering gun.[/quote]
That’s because the tip is typically grounded through the wall plug. You can get an adapter that loses the ground prong and you will have no issues.
I’ve also seen some good rechargable battery powered ones. But I really hate the gas ones as I can never get the temp quite right.
I’m sorry that was about 20 years ago so I don’t remember. I’ve been working in engineering since then. We are required to use esd safe soldering irons where the tips are grounded through a high resistance.
Buy the one from Radio Shack for 10 bucks. Will work on up to about #14 wire. For the bigger stuff you will need to get a propane torch with a solder tip. Works on battery cables and generator/starter brushes like on my 8N. Buy and learn to use heat shrink tubing to cover splices and dress up ends.
This looks the cordless iron that I used eons ago. It worked pretty well.
lol 😉 I was just going to suggest that.
RS 25W pencil iron, good for nearly everything electronic. Used it to put blocking diodes in the trailer wiring so the “brake lights” didn’t backfeed the “running lights” with the LED bulbs all around, as well as numerous circuit board projects.If you need grounding, loosen a screw, and put one end of a 100,000 ohm resistor around it, with a wire to a clip on the other end. Heat shrink the resistor between the screw and the wire. Clip it to something grounded, and you are good.
Been playing with electronics for more than 40 years, standing between cars and the wreckers for more than 30, and an amateur radio operator for 13..
I have been working on slot machines for about 3 years now, I always used my Weller portasol. Cordless, butane, and great for doing stereo.
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