Soldering Irons

[bowtie2bimmer]

I am in the market to get a new soldering iron. The problem is i don't know much about them. I want something on the less expensive side that i can do smaller projects with. Things I've done in the past include: ABS relay fuse wire, OBC light LED conversion, repairing broken abs wheel sensor wires that broke. So relatively small stuff. What is a decent model I can get from th auto parts store, sears, lowes, radioshack, etc that would suit my needs?

Thanks in advance

[Dj Buttchug]

i use a real cheap 15$ electric one. They generally suck until you mod the tip with a file to hold solder better. Then they work great.

[bowtie2bimmer]

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[EclipseMTL]

http://www.qsource.com/p-8455-weller-8200-universal-soldering-gun-120v-140100w.aspx?gclid=CJnhn5-rg7kCFZSi4Aod3DYAbA

Something like this, a pistol grip one. The pens and stick ones suck more cock than I do.

[Dj Buttchug]

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basically you just file a fat notch in the tip. it holds hot material MUCH better

[brent5631]

^ I have one and they are awesome. Mine is from the 60's and it get super hot and is easy to use.

[bowtie2bimmer]

Wouldn't 100w be overkill?

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[E30_Pare]

I got this little gas one from Radio Shack. Not gunna lie its pretty good for 25$

replacement head are 15 though. Radio shack be robbers

[mikeedler]

bought this from Würth about a year ago for around $75.
it's butane powered. love it!

[!kid]

^ i have the same one, works very well.

[FredK]

Wouldn't 100w be overkill?

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The 100W iron is good for soldering heavy wire gauges together.

IMO a Radio Shack 30-40W soldering iron will get most all repair projects done on an E30, and it's $13. Soldering is technique dependent, and you can get good solder joints with a cheap soldering iron.

The Radio Shack tips do kind of suck. If you keep them tinned and clean, you'll have no problems. It's nice to have a little soldering stand with a cleaning sponge, so it's easier to keep the tip clean and to avoid having a hot soldering iron roll all over the place.

The problem with most non-temperature/output controlled irons is that flux gets baked onto the tip, as flux melts at a lower temperature than the solder and eventually chars. That's why it's important to keep the tip clean, and if you do get gunk buildup, to scrape it off and re-tin the tip.

[TurboJake]

The 100W iron is good for soldering heavy wire gauges together.

IMO a Radio Shack 30-40W soldering iron will get most all repair projects done on an E30, and it's $13. Soldering is technique dependent, and you can get good solder joints with a cheap soldering iron.

The Radio Shack tips do kind of suck. If you keep them tinned and clean, you'll have no problems. It's nice to have a little soldering stand with a cleaning sponge, so it's easier to keep the tip clean and to avoid having a hot soldering iron roll all over the place.

The problem with most non-temperature/output controlled irons is that flux gets baked onto the tip, as flux melts at a lower temperature than the solder and eventually chars. That's why it's important to keep the tip clean, and if you do get gunk buildup, to scrape it off and re-tin the tip.

Seconded. The radio shack pen works great. It's all in the technique and tinning. I've had mine with the original tip for 6 years now, using it to complete multi million dollar KUKA robotic arm installations.

A workstation with temperature control is very very nice and has its place. But for the average guy, the radio shack pen, A stand (With magnifying glass) a desoldering bulb, and soldering wick is going to do mostly everything you need to do.