A new soldering iron.

stockers

stockers

Trains, aircraft, models, walking, beer, travel
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Any tips please. I have an elderly unit which works pretty well but I cant keep the tip clean and it's a bit large. No idea what power it is.

This is for electrical work, very basic - so what power? Do I want a thermo controlled one? Is 7 quid really enough to spend or should I look higher? Tip size/material.
Thanks in anticipation.
 
Few issues here.

Cleaning Tip I use one of those Metal
Kings kitchen Cleaners in a circle sort of metal holder, an old circle baccy tin would work fine.

As for Electrical work ( not rail
related) a smallish one will do fine.

Lidl and Aldi have been doing Irons recently with adjustable Temperature, if available ideal for a lot of more general work for not massive costs.

If your current one solders to LGB Track suggest you keep it and perhaps hunt for a new/spare bit from perhaps Maplin or even your local Car spares painty dealer.
 
'Smallish' - not quite the detail I am after Jon. Thanks.
 
For light (no pun) electrical work 25 watt should be find, medium weight soldering i.e. small brass kits 50 watt, LGB track, never soldered it but would think at least 100 watt
 
stockers stockers Post a piccie of what (watt?) you have now - maybe someone will recognise and can advise re it's power and sources of new tips?

I carry an Antex 25 watt in my tool box, but I use a Maplin 50 watt soldering station (adjustable temperature) when I'm at my workbench. I recently bought a cheap cordless Parkside iron from Lidl for a tenner - it's actually not bad for small work. I like it enough to have bought spare tips from Germany for it, cost more then the iron itself!
 
Mine was from aldi...variable temp 25 watt ect...just for wireing not rail joints ...
 
I suggest you consider a butane powered option. Depending on your choice of product you have the ability to wind the temperature up and down depending on what you are doing. I prefer this option as it is very easy to work anywhere on the track without cords going everywhere. I got mine from Aldi super cheap. It will solder G scale rails or delicate electronics based on the tip you screw in. This is the same type I bought from Aldi. I have given it a beating and it keeps coming back:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Gas-Sol...m=183246770735&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Here's another from HK:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HS-1115...304450&hash=item441aea8d56:g:vBYAAOSw-8paV1YU
 
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I would suggest a 48 Watt temperature controlled soldering would be suitable for most Garden Railway requirements. I have one of these and have soldered surface mounted components and connected wires to Peco 250 code track though I mostly use it for general PCB work. I'm sure it will also handle LGB track as well.

Mine has a digital display and is similar to this one from Farnell.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/zd-929c-89-2934/soldering-station-digi-esd-bs/dp/SD01117?st=48w soldering stations

However, there is one from Adli at the moment with a 3 year guarantee. Not such good quality but cheap.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/p/0831842018...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=COWN2IGes9sCFdS3GwodV8QF_Q
 
The ALdi one...
FOUR MINUTES to heat up!!

I can't be doing with waiting that long!! ;):giggle::giggle:
 
For general soldering, I use the temperature controlled iron from Maplin. I think it's about 50W. What I like is having ceramic bits. Much easier to keep clean than copper bits and they are easily changeable if I want to do precision work and then want solder some bits of brass together. I've also used it with low melt solder to construct a whitemetal kit.

Of course, Maplin is no more, but this one looks the same.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eagle-48...374443&hash=item41d744f0a4:g:khQAAOSwVF1aQDdJ

Rik
 
stockers said:
I asked for basic for electrical work - how about this.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-240V...230915586353?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10
Click to expand...

Alan

What do you mean by 'electrical work'?

The one you have linked to is a bit big for inside loco's, and a bit small for track-bonding..

For 'electrical', rather than 'electronic' work, it will probably be fine..

For a single temperature iron, for general train electronics, I would buy an Antex 18W or possibly 25W iron.. For rail-bonding, probably an 'instant heat' soldering gun? - Though you can't really beat a 120W 'stick' for that sort of thing..
For electronics, then I would go for a controlled iron, like those linked too..

HTH?
PhilP.
 
I mean the small stuff Phil - electronics. Wiring locos and playing around with components - see the Coach lighting buffer thread. My existing iron will do the bigger stuff despite its age!
 
stockers said:
I mean the small stuff Phil - electronics. Wiring locos and playing around with components - see the Coach lighting buffer thread. My existing iron will do the bigger stuff despite its age!
Click to expand...

If you don't do hours per day.. An Antex will be as good as anything..
If you can be 'in and out' on the smaller stuff, get the 25W, else if you tend to be in there for some time with the iron, then the 18W..
 
I just jumped in - all of 8 pounds worth on fleabay. A Silverline 25W jobbie.
 
I'll see how I get on. Might yet spend a few few more bob on one.
 
I trade-up to one of these when the previous Maplin unit failed after three months. - On about six hours a day, mind..

shopping

(picture courtesy of Google and Farnell / CPC)

I now have a complete spare in the cupboard, as well as bits, element, and a complete handle/cable assembly.. - Being 'ironless' is not an option!
They are available cheaper than Farnell, if you shop around..
 
Can't say I'd heard of Silverline before (other than as a charity for old folk), but the 25W looks like the right sort of size.
 
Chinese brand Nick
 
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