Soldering Irons

one320fc · 10-02-2011, 11:08 AM

So I have some questions about Soldering Irons..There a ton of them out there from $10-$75 what do I look for in a good iron for doing automotive grade soldering? I will be doing a lot of work on my wire harness and really dont want to crimp anything.

WE3RX7 · 10-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Hey - first off, you need to update that sig of yours... secondly, the battery operated one I have works really well and was $20 at radio shack a few years ago. I'd recommend getting some liquid flux as well as it helps make the solder adhere and flow -

the big ticket will be getting good heat shrink and connectors...

2gslse · 10-05-2011, 04:35 PM

screw soldering irons get a soldering gun. there is a nice weller 100/140 watt gun on craigslist in vienna for $25

fc nut · 10-20-2011, 03:03 PM

i use a basic craftsman iron. it does a really good job. don't buy cheap ones.

RETed · 10-21-2011, 05:37 AM

Don't bother with soldering irons that take forever to get to temp and then you gotta keep them out of the way so it doesn't burn anything...

I gotta agree with a soldering gun.
Although it does stay hot for a little while after use, at least you can walk away and not worry about leaving it on.
I prefer the Craftsman *Professional* one myself - I own two.
I think it's just a rebadged Weller - peel the sticker off, and it'll tell you.
It takes a minute to heat up, and then handle almost any of the stock wiring you can throw at it.
It's nice to have the light so that you can solder in low light conditions, although the light tends to die pretty quick - replacements are cheap.
I believe this gun is priced around $75 at your local Sears store.

-Ted

WE3RX7 · 10-21-2011, 09:07 PM

I have an original Craftsman gun as well.. almost thirty years old and it still works pretty well. I don't use much any more since I'm more of a keepsake from my grandfather, lol..

diabolical1 · 10-24-2011, 02:54 AM

i actually have one from Radio Shack, but i don't remember how much i paid for it. i've had it for years (and yes, you have to replace tips every so often), but it's never failed me. i don't mind having to pay attention so that it doesn't burn things because i'd worry about that regardless. the key is making sure you have a dedicated workspace.

10-02-2011, 11:08 AM	#1
one320fc one Apex @ a time Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Culpeper VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 272 Rep Power: 17	Soldering Irons So I have some questions about Soldering Irons..There a ton of them out there from $10-$75 what do I look for in a good iron for doing automotive grade soldering? I will be doing a lot of work on my wire harness and really dont want to crimp anything. __________________ 1983 Limited Edition SOLD 1977 Mazda REPU I will work on it one day I sware!! 1987 T2 um after the repu is done?? 2013 Chrysler 200 DD 2009 Dodge Journey 94 Volvo 850 N/A The slowest car I have EVER owned!!!

10-05-2011, 04:35 PM	#3
2gslse Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: front royal va iTrader: (0) Posts: 440 Rep Power: 17	screw soldering irons get a soldering gun. there is a nice weller 100/140 watt gun on craigslist in vienna for $25 __________________ ____________________________________________ 1976 Cosmo needing lots of work 1993 Rx-7 410 RWHP single turbo toy 1985 Rx-7 toy/project car 411HP stoplight terror 2001 Dodge ram 4wd.parts hauler 2016 Ram 2500 cause its a hemi 2006 VW TDI commuter __________________________________________ I guarantee there's a pregnant redneck teenager somewhere in a shitty trailer park that thinks "Ebola would be a lovely name for their child"...

10-20-2011, 03:03 PM	#4
fc nut member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lebanon,Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 282 Rep Power: 17	i use a basic craftsman iron. it does a really good job. don't buy cheap ones. __________________ leaving my carbon footprint....one start up at a time

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10-02-2011, 01:20 PM	#2
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Hey - first off, you need to update that sig of yours... secondly, the battery operated one I have works really well and was $20 at radio shack a few years ago. I'd recommend getting some liquid flux as well as it helps make the solder adhere and flow - the big ticket will be getting good heat shrink and connectors...

10-21-2011, 09:07 PM	#6
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	I have an original Craftsman gun as well.. almost thirty years old and it still works pretty well. I don't use much any more since I'm more of a keepsake from my grandfather, lol..