soldering iron help

[extreme-4x4]

anyone recommend anything in the lower price band 20 quid max really, like the idea of the gas one from maplins

ideally local high st supplier as i want it today (as usual) lol

[rustic]

Originally Posted by extreme-4x4

anyone recommend anything in the lower price band 20 quid max really, like the idea of the gas one from maplins

ideally local high st supplier as i want it today (as usual) lol

It depends what you are trying to solder.

If battery terminals, I use a small pencil gas filled blow lamp, fantastic, flame very small and very hot. Refill with gas lighter fluid.

I also have a small gas powered soldering iron, great for small outdoor jobs, equivalent to A 60watt electric iron.

I have an electric 25watt iron, for wires on terminals on connectors and also a small temperature controlled iron of around 15watts with a small tip for electronic components on circuit boards.

So the power and type depends on what you want to use it for.

I also have one of those huge ones that has instant heat, it is useless.....heavy, bulky and you can't do anything with it.

[clivvy]

I have the Gas one from..erm...think it was B&Q, which I think is the same as Maplins. I love it me. Comes with a few different tips but no gas of course. Mie was about £25 though....so far have used it successfully for some wiring jobs on the cars and around the house. Lasts a good while and its great not having the restriction of the wire, worktop or extensions...!

[extreme-4x4]

Originally Posted by rustic

It depends what you are trying to solder.

If battery terminals, I use a small pencil gas filled blow lamp, fantastic, flame very small and very hot. Refill with gas lighter fluid.

I also have a small gas powered soldering iron, great for small outdoor jobs, equivalent to A 60watt electric iron.

I have an electric 25watt iron, for wires on terminals on connectors and also a small temperature controlled iron of around 15watts with a small tip for electronic components on circuit boards.

So the power and type depends on what you want to use it for.

I also have one of those huge ones that has instant heat, it is useless.....heavy, bulky and you can't do anything with it.

was going to do the wiring of the fans this weekend then i can replace my water pump. so its only really to join wires etc. mostly automotive work. i need a few spade connectors and some solder switches and might even go for another cb Ariel. so it looks like maplin is the choice

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solder-pro-7...ing-iron-34514

halfords dont have anything spectacular nor do amazon or argos

[rustic]

Originally Posted by extreme-4x4

was going to do the wiring of the fans this weekend then i can replace my water pump. so its only really to join wires etc. mostly automotive work. i need a few spade connectors and some solder switches and might even go for another cb Ariel. so it looks like maplin is the choice

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solder-pro-7...ing-iron-34514

P E R F E C T for the job in hand, WOW what a cheap price.

Other members had better be quick too.
This really is a great price.

Get yourself some good solder wire with the flux in the solder.

For this application, you don't need the lead free solder, but we do need to cut back on the older solder.

[jims-terrano]

Fancy one of them myself.

A word of warning though, don't get hold of the wrong end

Jim

[Terranical]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Fancy one of them myself.

A word of warning though, don't get hold of the wrong end

Jim

That sounds like the word of experience, Jim! I've done it myself, working (in my working days) on a large mailing machine - put the iron down and it slipped, instinctively grabbed it - wrong end - ouch! Took two weeks for my fingers to heal.

[(RIP) PLANK]

a bit of a tangent,but!

Maplin now do heat shrink tube with a hot glue liner so the joint is completely waterproof, might be of some use

[Adz]

THAT'S HANDY TO KNOW

[solarman216]

Crimps are a lot easier and safer too, Rick

[rustic]

Originally Posted by PLANK

a bit of a tangent,but!

Maplin now do heat shrink tube with a hot glue liner so the joint is completely waterproof, might be of some use

Screwfix do self amalgamating tape, which bonds to it's self and forms a watertight seal.
Can be used on hoses etc as well.

As Solarman says, crimps are better, especially in high vibration situations.
You can also use some of the self amalgamating tape over the crimps too.

Best regards,
Rustic

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by rustic

Screwfix do self amalgamating tape, which bonds to it's self and forms a watertight seal.
Can be used on hoses etc as well.

As Solarman says, crimps are better, especially in high vibration situations.
You can also use some of the self amalgamating tape over the crimps too.

Best regards,
Rustic

Crimps are better where the job requires crimps but they aren't generally better, a well solder joint will always be stronger and 'Safer' especially in high vibration situations. Crimps are easier/quicker granted but no way more secure than a well made and soldered joint

Thumbs up for self amalgamating tape though - brilliant stuff

[rustic]

Originally Posted by PLANK

Crimps are better where the job requires crimps but they aren't generally better, a well solder joint will always be stronger and 'Safer' especially in high vibration situations. Crimps are easier/quicker granted but no way more secure than a well made and soldered joint

I dissagree on the issue on vibration on wires that have been soldered.

You start with multistrand wire that is better than solid wire in vibration applications, I think there is no doubt about this...

The reason being, is that at the solder joint the stranded wires now become solid conductors over the joint, caused by the solder itself.
see:-
Flexibility

Stranded wire is very flexible, making it easy to bend and route through places that require current. It also works best in situations where wire is subject to vibration and extensive movement because it is sturdy while still retaining flexibility. In contrast, solid wire is more stiff and prone to break if it is bent excessively. This is why it works well when used in applications where wires will sustain very little motion or vibration.

From:-

http://www.ehow.com/info_8122345_dif...olid-wire.html

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by rustic

I dissagree on the issue on vibration on wires that have been soldered.

You start with multistrand wire that is better than solid wire in vibration applications, I think there is no doubt about this...

The reason being, is that at the solder joint the stranded wires now become solid conductors over the joint, caused by the solder itself.
see:-
Flexibility

Stranded wire is very flexible, making it easy to bend and route through places that require current. It also works best in situations where wire is subject to vibration and extensive movement because it is sturdy while still retaining flexibility. In contrast, solid wire is more stiff and prone to break if it is bent excessively. This is why it works well when used in applications where wires will sustain very little motion or vibration.

From:-

http://www.ehow.com/info_8122345_dif...olid-wire.html

and at the point your stranded wire enters the crimp it also becomes solid, and also pinched, and so does break very easily, make two joints from the same wire and try it

[rustic]

Originally Posted by PLANK

and at the point your stranded wire enters the crimp it also becomes solid, and also pinched, and so does break very easily, make two joints from the same wire and try it

The crimps, if used with the proper crimping tool, provides strain relief at the start of the crimp as the soft plastic of the crimp housing forms around the wire, held onto the outer insulation of the wire.
This moves the stress away from the crimp-wire interface.

The success of the good crimp, does rely on proper tooling, the simple cheap plier type crimp tools do not provide adequate strain relief, and I agree with your comment above if you are using this type of crimp tool.

The dual head ratchet type with insulation adjustment are the best type, but do cost more.