Budget soldering iron

[chunkolini]

My son has asked me to buy him a soldering iron. No problem with that.
is the basic one from screwfix up to the job? it is just for electrical work.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/soldering-iron-230v-40w/40326

 

[pedrobedro]

It looks alright for general electrical work, I've been using a Weller one not so high wattage (28w I think) for longer than I care to remember. If he wants it for circuit repairs something smaller like an Antex XS25 would do the job.

 

[colnerov]

Depends what the intended use is.

 

[Member 66061]

Most of the soldering i do is joining wires or soldering to metal connectors, so i use a 100w one like this. >CLICK FOR LINK<
Its good for shrinking the heatshrink aswell

 

[chunkolini]

What isuse? just light electrical stuff; circuit boards and connectors etc.
Flux? will this do the job or does he need a flux as well? http://www.screwfix.com/p/bernzomatic-lead-free-rosin-core-solder-3oz/96575

 

[colnerov]

Hi, If he's doing work on PCBs then the 40w one is a bit big and will lift the tracks especially in inexperienced hands, 15w to 25w will be better.

Colin

 

[WorkshopChris]

For pcb's and light cable i would be looking at something like this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KATSU-48W...465372?hash=item3f5e16641c:g:HsAAAOSw2GlXEMul

And 0.7mm solder
https://www.rapidonline.com/rapid-solder-wire-60-40-22swg-0-7mm-100g-reel-85-0592

Lots of options all depends what he wants to do with it.

 

[mike 109444]

Don't forget a soldering iron stand. A good investment as it should come with a tip wiping sponge.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Can't really go wrong with an Antex 30W for £16.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/antex-30w...NH6rxHsoXgcMFzX6nMSQEJ6LdzvvhZumMjBoC937w_wcB

 

[Wozzaaah]

For pcb's and light cable i would be looking at something like this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KATSU-48W...465372?hash=item3f5e16641c:g:HsAAAOSw2GlXEMul

And 0.7mm solder
https://www.rapidonline.com/rapid-solder-wire-60-40-22swg-0-7mm-100g-reel-85-0592

Lots of options all depends what he wants to do with it.

That soldering station looks good for the money!
For £15 you can't go wrong, surely?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Fixed temp iron are great for joining wires, terminals, basic pcb work but if you have to rework joints or use lead free solder the temperature can be critical. Its not nice stuff to work with at the best of times but if the iron is to hot it is hard to get good results.

 

[WorkshopChris]

That soldering station looks good for the money!
For £15 you can't go wrong, surely?

That iron is used on a lot of the low voltage irons cpc sell replacement tips and parts just cant find the link at the moment.

 

[Parm]

I've got quite a few kicking around here, happy to send you one free gratis if you want

 

[Robotstar5]

Can't really go wrong with an Antex 30W for £16.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/antex-30w...NH6rxHsoXgcMFzX6nMSQEJ6LdzvvhZumMjBoC937w_wcB

Antex are a good brand, been around a few years and spares readily available.

 

[Maker]

I wouldn't get one with that style tip - Where the tip is solid and held in a hole in the end of the iron by a set screw. I've had a few of them and the screw always rusts in place so you can't change the tip, even on my fancy Weller.

This sort of thing doesn't have the same problem and spare tips are readily available.

What isuse? just light electrical stuff; circuit boards and connectors etc.
Flux? will this do the job or does he need a flux as well? http://www.screwfix.com/p/bernzomatic-lead-free-rosin-core-solder-3oz/96575

It's hard to tell how thick that is but 0.5 or 0.7mm is easier to use than thicker stuff, and lead free solder supposedly corrodes tips faster and is harder to use.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

ANTEX for me, wouldn't buy anything else now have a few ANTEX models, the quality is quite simply superb!

 

[Robotstar5]

ANTEX for me, wouldn't buy anything else now have a few ANTEX models, the quality is quite simply superb!

I wouldn't go that far I use an Antex, but also have a temp controlled Weller for bench work and a Portasol gas iron for outside jobs.

 

[optima21]

Im another one for Antex, I've got a 20 year old 50 watt temperature controlled iron, but I've recently bought some new tips for it. the newer tips with the internal shim are so much better to change than the older style tips with the spring metal clip on the outside. the new style tips can easily be pushed on and taken off compared to the older ones

 

[Turbo]

There's a 48w adjustable temp soldering station for £8.99 in Lidl next week!

 

[Mee]

The gas irons are superb, does yours have the removable tip where you can use the flame directly?