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I need a soldering iron recommendation... #1341112
11/25/12 05:01 PM 11/25/12 05:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
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Can someone recommend a make/model of soldering iron for me?

I have a simple 20 watt pencil style iron now that is almost impossible to solder two wires together with. My main use I'm looking for is for making engine/EFI wiring harnesses (soldering wires together) Mostly splices of multiple 10-18 gauge wires, etc. Should I be looking for a high wattage pistol type gun? a workstation model? or?
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341113
11/25/12 05:13 PM 11/25/12 05:13 PM
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Multiple splices of 10-18 ga wire.... For that sort of soldering I leave the soldering iron on the bench & grab my micro-torch... You need allot more heat than you'll get out of a soldering iron...

For normal soldering I use my Weller workstation... Cleaning & tinning the tip regularly helps allot..

"The Armies of our ancestors were lucky, in that they were not trailed by a second army of pencil pushers."
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341114
11/25/12 05:18 PM 11/25/12 05:18 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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I just went thru this. I'd recommend finding a very large soldering iron (not a gun) or a small butane torch. The trick for me was to solder with NO wind and clean & tin the tip requently & use small clip on heat sinks that look sorta like nail clippers on either side to keep the heat from traveling & melting the insulation and getting the joint hot as quick as you hold it secure/TIGHT/steady & working with clean wiring strands all to avoid burning the wire dark which hinders heat transfer. EDIT missed the gauge you are working with yes you need a butane mini torch

Last edited by RapidRobert; 11/25/12 05:23 PM.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341115
11/25/12 05:26 PM 11/25/12 05:26 PM
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Tallmadge, Ohio
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Paul_B Offline
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I use a big soldering gun that's 200 watts for soldering large wire. I've never tried a mini torch.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Paul_B] #1341116
11/25/12 05:30 PM 11/25/12 05:30 PM
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1_WILD_RT Offline
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Quote:

I use a big soldering gun that's 200 watts for soldering large wire. I've never tried a mini torch.



The only advantage to a big soldering iron is it tends to push the wires together but if you twist them together well the mini torch puts enough heat in quickly enough that it solders well without destroying the surrounding insulation...

"The Armies of our ancestors were lucky, in that they were not trailed by a second army of pencil pushers."
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: 1_WILD_RT] #1341117
11/25/12 05:46 PM 11/25/12 05:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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You want a torch with a very focused flame output or you'll melt too much of the insulation. It's doable and it works and I sometimes use it on wire that's thinner than I really should because it's so fast and works well.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1341118
11/25/12 06:23 PM 11/25/12 06:23 PM
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Posts: 4,785
Utah and Alaska
astjp2 Offline
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I used a solder pot to tin the wires, then I have a good weller soldering iron that sets the temp to 650, the other method is to use solder sleeves, they are a piece of heat shrink with a band of solder on the inside. It seals and solders all in one action with a heat gun. Tim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24FjjIVpk9U&feature=related
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Paul_B] #1341119
11/25/12 08:05 PM 11/25/12 08:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,719
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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Quote:

I use a big soldering gun that's 200 watts for soldering large wire. I've never tried a mini torch.



That's what I use.

"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: astjp2] #1341120
11/25/12 08:07 PM 11/25/12 08:07 PM
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Posts: 10,766
Central Valley, CA.
Quicksilver440 Offline OP
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I do have a butane mini-torch that I've never used for soldering wires...I've used it for copper piping, etc. I'll give it a try..thanks for the input.

Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341121
11/25/12 09:33 PM 11/25/12 09:33 PM
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Tustin, CA
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pishta Offline
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Cheap ass HF 85W pistol with the blade tip. slide heat shrink down wire, push wires together and mesh strands, place iron under joint, pull trigger until solder flows from top of wires, about 5 seconds, release trigger, slide heat shrink over and hit with heat gun. 20W pencil is good for circuit boards no more. I use a little 2 aligator clip "helping hand" fixture to hold the wires together while I get solder tip under joint and feed solder from top, almost need 3 hands for it.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: pishta] #1341122
11/25/12 09:49 PM 11/25/12 09:49 PM
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Maryland
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Dads426 Offline
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Weller 8200. Been using them since the 1960's. I have 3, one in the workshop, garage and spare (I use them every day) They are on ebay all the time. Radio Shack sells the tips. Buy a cheap Harbor Freight heat gun for heat shrink tubing.


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Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Dads426] #1341123
11/25/12 11:39 PM 11/25/12 11:39 PM
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IN
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ahy Offline
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I really prefer an iron over a gun. My 40w Weller handles up to 10 guage wire fine. Bigger than that I use a torch.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: ahy] #1341124
11/26/12 12:46 AM 11/26/12 12:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,073
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
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therocks  Offline
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Mine I got from SnapOn like 25 years ago.Has tips that you can change.It was like 40 bucks then.Still works great and if a tip goes bad you just buy new ones.I even soldered a few pin holes in my 65s gas tank with it.Rocky

Chrysler Firepower
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: therocks] #1341125
11/26/12 01:09 AM 11/26/12 01:09 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 216
E. Okla line
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m88mark Offline
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Hey Rocky does your gun have a single point tip? My blue point gun burnt a hole in the side of the tip. It's a single point attachement.
Just woundered if they are still available. Guess I can't complain 35 yrs aint bad. Mark
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: m88mark] #1341126
11/26/12 01:50 AM 11/26/12 01:50 AM
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Ohio
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jlatessa Offline
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For splicing I use a method we had where I used to work called
mousing sp?

You take a few strands of the same wire you're
splicing and wrap it tightly around the joint, takes some practice but
helps keep the joint from moving as you solder.

Joe
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: jlatessa] #1341127
11/26/12 11:08 AM 11/26/12 11:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1 Offline
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Quote:

For splicing I use a method we had where I used to work called
mousing sp?

You take a few strands of the same wire you're
splicing and wrap it tightly around the joint, takes some practice but
helps keep the joint from moving as you solder.

Joe


Brilliant. That's always my biggest problem. Thank you!
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Commando1] #1341128
11/26/12 11:20 AM 11/26/12 11:20 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,008
Finally a HUSKER again
Moparnut426 Offline
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I bought a butane gas soldering iron from snap-on. Its awesome, workes for almost anything but larger wires. I used it all the time when installing remote starters at the dealership, also used it on all my R/C truck work.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341129
11/26/12 11:45 AM 11/26/12 11:45 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
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I have like 4 different sizes deppending on the work. 1 iron won't do everything.

I worked at job where we would have to replace soldered in IC chips on display boards 25 years ago, I've replaced hundreds of IC chips with a solder sucker and a low watt iron so not to burn the board. Then higher watt iron for soldering wires all the way to a torch for attaching eyelettes to 00 welding cable.

Brand never mattered to me, just watts.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341130
11/26/12 12:18 PM 11/26/12 12:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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360view Offline
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Resistence soldering is a good trick to know

http://www.brunelhobbies.com.au/soldering/instruct/rsinstruct.htm

In a nutshell you use a current to heat up the parts using their own electrical resistance.

Most welders will do this if you use carbon or tungsten rods as tips, but in a pinch just copper works. Solder will not stick to chrome plating which can also be useful.

There is an episode of "How its Made" TV where they make eyeglass frames using resistance soldering.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: 360view] #1341131
11/26/12 01:45 PM 11/26/12 01:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,015
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
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you want this type of soldering station for doing the type of work you are talking about .

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/solder/wesd51.htm
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: ahy] #1341132
11/26/12 02:00 PM 11/26/12 02:00 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
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cudabitten Offline
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Quote:

I really prefer an iron over a gun. My 40w Weller handles up to 10 guage wire fine. Bigger than that I use a torch.



I've been soldering for about 35 years. A 40 WATT iron is all you need. Keep the tip clean with a wet sponge and coated with a thin layer of solder. Prep your wires by tinning them, (coat them with a thin layer of solder).
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: m88mark] #1341133
11/26/12 04:55 PM 11/26/12 04:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,073
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
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Niles , Ohio
M88 they were still avaliable 3 years ago thats the last time I worked.I always kept spares in my box.Seems the biggest ones burned on mine.I think there are 3 if not 4 sizes.Last ones I bought were like 5 bucks each.Rocky

Chrysler Firepower
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: therocks] #1341134
11/26/12 05:37 PM 11/26/12 05:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 216
E. Okla line
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m88mark Offline
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Thanks Rocky. Best gun I've ever used, well till the other day when the tip blew. Have a weller in the box, don't compare. Now to find a good SO trk, local guy's an a##. Bad thing about tool trks it all depends on the driver, you end up with one drawer of SO, one with MAC, one with MATCO. Nuff of my bitchin about route guys, thanks again Mark
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: m88mark] #1341135
11/27/12 09:06 AM 11/27/12 09:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,073
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
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Niles , Ohio
We had a great SO guy.He was there every week and even came to another shop I was at that was out of his territory.He always made a deal also especially if cash sale.The other Independent guy we had was great also.I have either SO or SK in my box.I bought some Sunex impact sockets also.For a cheap socket I used them for probally 20 years and only 1 cracked.Rocky

Chrysler Firepower
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341136
11/27/12 10:43 AM 11/27/12 10:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1 Offline
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OK. So, now I have all the different soldering tools mentioned and my soldering still sucks.
What kind of solder, then....

Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Commando1] #1341137
11/27/12 12:40 PM 11/27/12 12:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
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Utah and Alaska
astjp2 Offline
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sn63/pb37 is one standard of the industry. Tim
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Dads426] #1341138
11/27/12 01:01 PM 11/27/12 01:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,903
Athens, Greece
Pyper70 Offline
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Go to a swap meet in your area...find the oldest one you can find...with the spring holder..highest watt possible...and buy it...I have three wellers...one is a gun which is a PITA but it works for heavy gauge wires....I mainly do low voltage, LED, Alarm...so I have a dual Weller on one base...fat head and narrow head....I even bought a Coleman Cold Solder gun that works with batteries and keep it in the car in case I have to do something on the fly. Works well with 18ga and smaller wire




Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Pyper70] #1341139
11/27/12 07:25 PM 11/27/12 07:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 709
St Louis, MO 63026
convx4 Offline
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MY Big One is 300W.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: convx4] #1341140
11/27/12 07:44 PM 11/27/12 07:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,903
Athens, Greece
Pyper70 Offline
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Quote:

MY Big One is 300W.



okay...not that big...what are you soldering? Nuclear facility wiring?

Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Moparnut426] #1341141
11/27/12 07:59 PM 11/27/12 07:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,377
Ohio
Todd Offline
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Quote:

I bought a butane gas soldering iron from snap-on. Its awesome, workes for almost anything but larger wires. I used it all the time when installing remote starters at the dealership, also used it on all my R/C truck work.


That the same kit that I have.
Wouldn't trade it for anything
Perfect for auto wiring.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Dads426] #1341142
11/27/12 08:03 PM 11/27/12 08:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,719
Space Station #5
471Magnum Offline
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Quote:

Weller 8200. Been using them since the 1960's. I have 3, one in the workshop, garage and spare (I use them every day) They are on ebay all the time. Radio Shack sells the tips. Buy a cheap Harbor Freight heat gun for heat shrink tubing.




I just recently stepped up to a Weller 8200 and love it. Dual heat range comes in handy. It can handle 12 ga. Haven't tried it on 10 ga. My 75W Craftman gun pretty much petered out on 14 ga.

-Jim

I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.

Currently Mopar-less
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Moparnut426] #1341143
11/27/12 08:03 PM 11/27/12 08:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,395
The Pale Blue Dot
Skeptic Offline
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Quote:

I bought a butane gas soldering iron from snap-on. Its awesome, works for almost anything but larger wires. I used it all the time when installing remote starters at the dealership, also used it on all my R/C truck work.

That's what I've used on a LOT of wiring, big cables get the propane torch.

Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Skeptic] #1341144
11/27/12 10:35 PM 11/27/12 10:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,678
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk Offline
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I find that the propane torch is easier on the insulation than a gun because it heats the wires up much quicker. I have been soldering for nearly forty years and rarely use the gun, just a pencil iron or the torch.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: astjp2] #1341145
11/28/12 09:55 AM 11/28/12 09:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1 Offline
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Quote:

sn63/pb37 is one standard of the industry. Tim


Thanks.
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: Quicksilver440] #1341146
11/28/12 10:27 AM 11/28/12 10:27 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 277
Palmyra, NY
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63stabamatic Offline
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Palmyra, NY
I have used a variety of soldering tools over the years but now use a Weller WTCPL soldering station or a Hakko 926 adjustable, 400-900 degree soldering station, both have changeable tip sizes,the Weller has tips for different temps. For outside work I use an old Wen model 199 soldering gun I've had since the 60's.
The Cadillac of soldering stations is the Metcal, but bring your money!
Re: I need a soldering iron recommendation... [Re: 63stabamatic] #1341147
11/28/12 05:36 PM 11/28/12 05:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 740
Anderson, IN
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1969RR Offline
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Anderson, IN
Hello, If I have plenty of room, ie. on the bench, I use a butane torch. very fast and efficient. I just bought a smaller butane iron from Matco yesterday. PN#: PPSK. It was on sale for $62.00. I also have a Snap-On butane iron. I do not like it at all. Doesn't seem to get very hot. The Matco is much better. Jeff
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