I need to buy a solder Iron, Model Railways.

[jimbo84]

I had an antex 690SD station that you can no longer get the irons for due to an obsolete component in the irons, spoke to antex who gave me a very good price on the 690D station as a replacement.

Might be worth giving them a call, a very good company to deal with who make good kit.

Also have a look on eBay for any used Antex kit. You’d have thought soldering irons would all be very simple and even cheap ones would be ok but it is night and day between a good one and a cheap one, I’ve had some really bad cheap ones over the years. It’s the age old buy cheap buy twice.

 

[Mark 5]

50*c??
Are you confusing watts with degrees?

I don't think so but maybe, I just know for the type of work the youngster will be doing, material, he requires an iron that can be set low as 50°c and up.

Most irons and stations are from 100°C up to 450°C.

 

[Mark 5]

I had an antex 690SD station that you can no longer get the irons for due to an obsolete component in the irons, spoke to antex who gave me a very good price on the 690D station as a replacement.

Might be worth giving them a call, a very good company to deal with who make good kit.

Also have a look on eBay for any used Antex kit. You’d have thought soldering irons would all be very simple and even cheap ones would be ok but it is night and day between a good one and a cheap one, I’ve had some really bad cheap ones over the years. It’s the age old buy cheap buy twice.

Can I ask what you paid for the 690D?

 

[Wozzaaah]

I don't think so but maybe, I just know for the type of work the youngster will be doing, material, he requires an iron that can be set low as 50°c and up.

Most irons and stations are from 100°C up to 450°C.

I just don’t know of any solder that would melt at 50c. Or have I missed something?

 

[jimbo84]

Can I ask what you paid for the 690D?

Just had a look and it was £100 delivered.

 

[Mark 5]

Just had a look and it was £100 delivered.

Thanks, how recent was that?

 

[optima21]

I just don’t know of any solder that would melt at 50c. Or have I missed something?

there is Woods metal that melts at 70C, might be good for making teaspoons from

Tiranti Woods Metal Alloy

Woods Metal Alloy is an ultra-soft white metal alloy with an ultra-low melting point.

www.tiranti.co.uk

Im surprised it hasn't been banned as it uses lead, bismuth and cadmium

 

[voipio]

The Antex 690D temperature range specification is 200 to 450degC, which is presumably the setting range available to the user.

I think that the Antex 660TC temperature setting goes down below the markings on the dial. I'll have a look and see what the actual minimum temperature setting is.

Note added - I've had a look at the 660TC, and the lowest marked temperature on the dial is 75degC, and this is the minimum setting. The iron temperature, at this setting, is maintained between 75 to 77degC. Maximum temperature setting is 425degC. More than ample for soldering. At the lower temperatures, it could be used for wax melting. Don't know if that would be any use in railway modelling.

 

[jimbo84]

Thanks, how recent was that?

9 months ago.

 

[Ross365]

For about the last 10-12 years, I've been using an Aoyue 937 from these guys https://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/ which has been very good and there's a very wide range of bits available for it. I think it's a really good DIY iron, but unfortunately, since I bought mine the price has climbed a lot. Perhaps one of the cheaper Aoyue might do? The 937 was my first temperature-controlled iron and I could never go back to a simple fixed temp job now.

 

[Mark 5]

9 months ago.

Thanks @jimbo84

 

[carbon]

50c isnt even goig to melt the solder. With the solder I use it doesnt melt until at least 180c but to use it effectively I usually set the temperature at a minimum of 365c

 

[bourbon]

there is Woods metal that melts at 70C, might be good for making teaspoons from

Tiranti Woods Metal Alloy

Woods Metal Alloy is an ultra-soft white metal alloy with an ultra-low melting point.

www.tiranti.co.uk

Im surprised it hasn't been banned as it uses lead, bismuth and cadmium

Fields metal is the safer alternative to that.

 

[Mark 5]

For about the last 10-12 years, I've been using an Aoyue 937 from these guys https://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/ which has been very good and there's a very wide range of bits available for it. I think it's a really good DIY iron, but unfortunately, since I bought mine the price has climbed a lot. Perhaps one of the cheaper Aoyue might do? The 937 was my first temperature-controlled iron and I could never go back to a simple fixed temp job now.

Thankyou, I took a look at their site, they seem ok and kind of in line as to what I wanted to spend, I will give them a call sometime next week.

I'm still a bit hung up on type of iron required for the boy's need but digital temp' control and station is the way to go I think.

 

[Mark 5]

50c isnt even goig to melt the solder. With the solder I use it doesnt melt until at least 180c but to use it effectively I usually set the temperature at a minimum of 365c

I agree but the boy makes things as well, little people, station houses, different materials so want an iron that can be set low, it's not just for soldering.

 

[carbon]

I just don’t know of any solder that would melt at 50c. Or have I missed something?

No you havent missed anything. For electrical soldering the lowest melting temperature I've seen has still been over 100c to assist removal of smd componets from pcbs

 

[Mark 5]

My dad's been doing this for donkeys years, he literally uses any locally available soldering iron.

Let it get to temperature, give it a clean with a wire brush, use flux, etc.

My dad produces intricate 3mm hand built brass kits he has bought.

If you want I'll talk to him this evening and pm me and I'll give you his phone number, he loves talking trains and would be more than happy to give advice.

Thanks I will ask his Dad.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Got this if any use?
RSPro, Analogue station, iron & stand.
Temp range is 200c-480c though.


I've also got some digital weller ones that go from 100c-550c but they are expensive.

 

[carbon]

A Hakko FX888D has a temperature range of 50c to 450c but its about £180

 

[Mark 5]

Got this if any use?
RSPro, Analogue station, iron & stand.
Temp range is 200c-480c though.

I've also got some digital weller ones that go from 100c-550c but they are expensive.

Thanks but I'm looking for digital, Weller are great but not their prices.