cheap (but decent enough) soldering iron

[BrokenBiker]

looking for a cheap soldering iron, for occasional use mostly fixing things like solar lights etc.

I am currently using a go systems portable butane torch with various heads, and a pencil blowtorch feature, but lately its not getting as hot as it should, blows out easily and the soldering tips are past it and I cant seem to find any decent replacements.

im currently halfway through repairing a tactical switch for a hunting lamp and the iron wont get hot enough to melt the solder, and by the time it is nearly hot enough it starts spitting and runs out of gas.

so im looking for a mains voltage unit, preferably adjustable temperature but not really needed for the amount I use them. have used the cheapo pound shop offerings and after 15 mins they burn out and never work again.

any suggestions?

 

[rikrobson]

Maplin's temp controlled soldering iron is pretty decent

and they do spare tips!

 

[BrokenBiker]

do they do replacement tips for them? forgot to mention that in the OP. I use mine fairly infrequently and as such if the tips aren't cleaned properly before I put it away the flux eats away at them

 

[rtbcomp]

Would this do the job

http://cpc.farnell.com/weller/8100ud/expert-soldering-gun-qa/dp/WL8100UD

Plenty of cheaper copies around.

 

[richie00boy]

Flux won't eat tips unless you are using plumbing flux, but then your joints will also be corroding away as well...

The Maplin one mentioned is OK for what you are after.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Flux won't eat tips unless you are using plumbing flux, but then your joints will also be corroding away as well...

The Maplin one mentioned is OK for what you are after.

I use whatever I can get cheap, but its definatley not for plumbing, but every now and then when I take the iron out of the box the tip is covered in a brown residue and has corroded away quite a bit. always thought it was down to flux in the solder

 

[BrokenBiker]

Would this do the job

http://cpc.farnell.com/weller/8100ud/expert-soldering-gun-qa/dp/WL8100UD

Plenty of cheaper copies around.

hadn't thought of those. a few cheaper ones on ebay. the maplins iron looks good and can be had for about 15 quid, might try one of those first

 

[Parm]

Go for an Antex iron, about 20 watts provides enough heat for most jobs and there are loads of tips available.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Another vote for the Antex 20w iron, I have one in my tool bag that gets used weekly, it's about 5 years old and still on its original tip.
Maplins do special offers on Antex irons occasionally.
Use a decent flux cored solder and either use a damp cloth or sponge to keep the tip clean or develop a flick which is frowned upon but still useful when working in awkward places.

 

[Robotstar5]

Go for a branded make, Weller, Antex etc., so spares/accessories are available.

I use a temperature controlled Weller on the bench and a Portasol gas iron for everything else, can recommend both brands.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers guys, will look into all of those see which is best for me

 

[MattF]

Go for a branded make, Weller, Antex etc., so spares/accessories are available.

Definitely the sound approach. It's a pain when you buy an iron and find the spares unavailable a few years later. Had that a few years ago with a soldering station I really liked. Those a*seholes Weller only went and bought the company out and ditched the range and any spares completely, (can you guess I'm no fan of Weller these days? ). Antex are always a safe bet.

 

[richie00boy]

The Maplin iron is about 40 quid.

20 watts is no good really for automotive, spend a bit more and get an iron that won't make your soldering a mess

 

[BrokenBiker]

The Maplin iron is about 40 quid.

20 watts is no good really for automotive, spend a bit more and get an iron that won't make your soldering a mess

i have seen 3 maplin 40w irons with temp control for 14.99

 

[rikrobson]

that the one. had mine for years with no problems

 

[julianf]

I have two soldering irons. A Hakko unit, which retailed for the best part of half a grand (i bought it used), and an Antex that ive had since i was a kid.

The Hakko is for paid work, but the Antex still gets used for stuff which i cant easily get the Hakko to.

What im trying to say is that i have irons at both end of the scale, and, unless you're heavily into electronics construction (which, from the post, youre not), just get a cheap Antex unit.

ps. you do less damage running an iron hot, and only holding it on the joint for a short while, than running a fancy temp controlled unit cool, thinking it will be kinder

also -

get some lead solder. im in favor of ROHS for mobile phones and the like, but for repair work, its not an issue, so get leadded and make life easier for yourself!


(i know very little about welding, but ive lived off electronics soldering...)

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have two soldering irons. A Hakko unit, which retailed for the best part of half a grand (i bought it used), and an Antex that ive had since i was a kid.

The Hakko is for paid work, but the Antex still gets used for stuff which i cant easily get the Hakko to.

What im trying to say is that i have irons at both end of the scale, and, unless you're heavily into electronics construction (which, from the post, youre not), just get a cheap Antex unit.

ps. you do less damage running an iron hot, and only holding it on the joint for a short while, than running a fancy temp controlled unit cool, thinking it will be kinder

also -

get some lead solder. im in favor of ROHS for mobile phones and the like, but for repair work, its not an issue, so get leadded and make life easier for yourself!


(i know very little about welding, but ive lived off electronics soldering...)

the only electronics construction I do is fun little projects with 555's and some basic logic things like traffic light rigs for toy car tracks etc. just stuff to keep kids amused.

I know I don't need the temp adjustment but from my experience of cheap irons without it they tend to burn out after a short time (usually on the first job I use them for) and end up in the bin ( I learnt not to bother trying to repair them after getting a buzz whilst testing one)

cheers for the advice

 

[PTvor]

I've got a little army of electric soldering irons.

An Antex 12W. For surface mount stuff.

An Antex 18W. General through hole PCBs.

A Weller 25W. valve gear.

An el cheapo (£2) 30W. Used for nothing much. The bit died very fast. last used to put house number on plastic wheelie bin. I begrudge the £2 I spent on it.

A Weller 75W. Heavy stuff like copper braid and heavy current connections. Used about once a year.

A cheap Maplins 50W variable temperature soldering station. They also sell a dearer one. The one I've got, they've sold at various prices from £10 to £30. I paid £15. It used to be my favourite but I've gone back to the Antex 18W. The bits have a way of coming loose which is irritating. It creates a tremendous amount of mains borne electrical interference.

A couple of heat gun type soldering irons, £5 from Lidl. These are great for quick jobs like soldering leads to loudspeaker tags, where you don't want to wait for conventional iron to heat up. Not a substitute for a conventional iron.

I think for general electronic and electrical repairs the Maplins soldering station would be good, if slightly bulky. Otherwise an Antex 18W or maybe 25-30W if you are usually doing slightly heavier stuff.

Get some 60/40 flux cored radio solder, not the lead free rubbish, and you shouldn't use a miniature soldering iron with things like Tinman's solder and Fluxite. 60/40 radio solder is still available, but Maplins don't sell it, or didn't the last time I looked.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've got a little army of electric soldering irons.

An Antex 12W. For surface mount stuff.

An Antex 18W. General through hole PCBs.

A Weller 25W. valve gear.

An el cheapo (£2) 30W. Used for nothing much. The bit died very fast. last used to put house number on plastic wheelie bin. I begrudge the £2 I spent on it.

A Weller 75W. Heavy stuff like copper braid and heavy current connections. Used about once a year.

A cheap Maplins 50W variable temperature soldering station. They also sell a dearer one. The one I've got, they've sold at various prices from £10 to £30. I paid £15. It used to be my favourite but I've gone back to the Antex 18W. The bits have a way of coming loose which is irritating. It creates a tremendous amount of mains borne electrical interference.

A couple of heat gun type soldering irons, £5 from Lidl. These are great for quick jobs like soldering leads to loudspeaker tags, where you don't want to wait for conventional iron to heat up. Not a substitute for a conventional iron.

I think for general electronic and electrical repairs the Maplins soldering station would be good, if slightly bulky. Otherwise an Antex 18W or maybe 25-30W if you are usually doing slightly heavier stuff.

Get some 60/40 flux cored radio solder, not the lead free rubbish, and you shouldn't use a miniature soldering iron with things like Tinman's solder and Fluxite. 60/40 radio solder is still available, but Maplins don't sell it, or didn't the last time I looked.

the solder I have is 60/40, not sure what brand, I only paid about 2 quid for a fairly big reel.

do you have a link or picture of the maplin one you have?

 

[marlinspike]

Aldi were doing them for about £15 a couple of weeks ago, though I vaguely remember a few negative reviews on here. Ok if you only need one very occasionally.